Clicktivism

1. How to do good from
behind the screen.
By: Amanda Singer

2. Social ac(vism through the use of
digital communica(on technology
is most commonly known as
but may also be referred
to as slack(vism or cyber-
ac(vism.1

3. Social Bu=ons2
Memes2
Hashtags4
Allows engagement with
informa(on and others.
Mimics an idea or cultural
phenomenon.
Gains popularity and brings
people together.
Videos1
is an emerging trend as technology is an increasingly
popular medium for social ac(vists.3
It includes:
Goes viral because they’re
inclusive, funny,
entertaining and emo(onal.

4. While it is increasing in
use, click(vism holds a
nega(ve connota(on in
current academia
because it is too
broadly defined with a
limited understanding.2

5. Cri$cs argue… Social media use
for charitable
causes merely
creates an
image of
support
without any
real ac(on.1

6. Click(vism makes the individual feel good and creates an
image of themselves that they want others to see online.5
Looking glass self: we
develop our sense of self
based on percep(ons of
those we interact with,
including those on the
internet.6

7. Click(vists spend too
much (me online
instead of doing
something real and
produc(ve.5

8. Click(vists believe that they can enact
social change, just by searching the Web,
by quan(fying power in terms of “views”
or “likes”.
This takes away from
effec(ve movements
with powerful ideas.7

9. But this understanding ignores empirical
support of it’s effec(veness.2

10. Ac(vists and NGOs would benefit from using the
contemporary medium of social media.8
Phone users check their
device 150 $mes/day and
over 85% of ac(vity is on
applica(ons, like social
media.9,10
92% of US adults have
cellphones and 90% of
these individuals have
their cell phone with
them frequently.8

11. Click(vism provides a more widely available and
simple alterna(ve to tradi(onal forms of civic
engagement.
It can connect people around the world and
mobilize widespread resources in a ma=er of
seconds with no cost.11, 4

12. When people band
together in support,
we can convince those
who have more power
to act.4
Goal of click$vism is not to solve
problems, it’s to create awareness.12

13. It takes 7-8 exposures of
an idea to mo(vate
someone to act.12
So retweets, shares, and
likes are important!

14. Studies show that online engagement
increases offline ac/vism with a
correla(on of .536.
The rela(onship is strongest for people who use social
media to seek informa(on, follow news and poli(cs
and feel a sense of online community.5

15. But it has to be used correctly!

16. Coordinate click(vism with tradi(onal
forms of ac(vism.3
LeFers to
government
officials13
Advocacy mee$ngs13
Public
demonstra$ons13
Direc$ons for
dona$ons Pe$$ons

17. Create a ripple effect
of popularity.
Use different online mediums, appeal to emo(on and
incorporate powerful visuals.3

18. Ensure that all
content is true and
representa(ve of
the issue.3
In the Kony 2012 campaign, the
image of child soldiers was African,
young males holding weapons. This
image appealed to emo/ons, but
ignored a factual descrip/on of many
child soldiers. The campaign was
ineffec$ve as a result.8

19. Use digital placorms, languages and
images that can reach all cultures.3

20. Work with the individuals you aim to help and
grassroots organiza(ons, not with a Western lens.
Decide on a real-world ac(on and make
changes that are actually helpful!

21. Ex/ UNICEF Kid Power Program
The steps counted
by fitness bands that
individuals wear
transfers into
points, which act as
a currency in
dona(ng emergency
treatment for life-
threatening
malnutri(on in
children.1
• Online ac(on à real ac(on
• Directed towards an important and
necessary goal
• Uses popular technology
Why it works:

22. Ex/ ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
Individuals, including
celebri(es, posted videos
of themselves dumping ice
over their heads and
challenging others to do
the same or donate.12
Why it works:
• Funny and exci(ng
videos
• Not culturally
specific, anybody
could take part
• Gave direc(on for
real-life ac(on of
dona(ng

23. So far, click(vism has been effec(ve in raising
money and awareness for many causes.11

24. Lend a helping hand from behind your
screens.

25. Work Cited
1) Stern, C. M. (2015). In Praise of Click(vism. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from h=p://www.huffingtonpost.com/caryl-m-stern/in-
praise-of-click(vism_b_6978314.html.
2) Halupka, M. (2014). Click(vism: A Systema(c Heuris(c. Policy and Internet, 6(2), 115-132. h=p://
onlinelibrary.wiley.com.proxy.queensu.ca/doi/10.1002/1944-2866.POI355/epdf.
3) Bresciani, S. & Schmeil, A. (2012). Social Media Placorms for Social Good. Interna/onal Conference on Digital Ecosystems and
Technologies, 6, 1-6. h=p://ieeexplore.ieee.org.proxy.queensu.ca/xpl/ar(cleDetails.jsp?arnumber=6227944&tag=1.
4) Sharma, R. (2015). Social Media as a Formidable Force for Change. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from h=p://
www.huffingtonpost.com/ritusharma/power-of-social-media-dem_b_6103222.html.
5) Jovicevic, N. M. (2016). Offline Student Poli(cal Ac(vism: Supported or Thwarted by Online Poli(cal Engagement? Journal of
Undergraduate Research, 21(1), 64-75. h=p://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?ar(cle=1242&context=respublica.
6) Erickson, C. (2013). The Social Psychology of the Selfie. Mashable. Retrieved from h=p://mashable.com/2013/02/15/social-media-
and-the-selfie/.
7) White, M. (2010). Click(vism is ruining lerist ac(vism. The Guardian. Retrieved from h=p://www.theguardian.com/commen(sfree/
2010/aug/12/click(vism-ruining-lerist-ac(vism.
8) Drumbi, M. A. (2012). Child Soldiers and Click(vism: Jus(ce, Myths, and Preven(on. Journal of Human Rights Prac/ce, 11(2), 1-5.
h=p://jhrp.oxfordjournals.org.proxy.queensu.ca/content/early/2012/09/26/jhuman.hus023.full.
9) Matrix, S. E. (2016). Module 03: Mobili(es. Retrieved from h=ps://moodle.queensu.ca/2015-16/mod/page/view.php?id=74574.
10) Rainie, L. & Zickuhr, K. (2015) Americans’ Views on the Mobile E(que=e. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from h=p://
www.pewinternet.org/2015/08/26/americans-views-on-mobile-e(que=e/.
11) Garst, K. (2013). Social Media as a Catalyst for Social Change. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from h=p://www.huffingtonpost.com/
kim-garst/social-media-as-a-catalys_b_3197544.html.
12) Sharma, R. (2014). Stop Pouring Ice on Click(vism. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from h=p://www.huffingtonpost.com/ritusharma/
stop-pouring-ice-on-click_b_5692555.html.
13) Kielburger, C. & Kielburger, M. (2015). A click is not enough to have impact on world. Canoe. Retrieved from h=p://
cnews.canoe.com/CNEWS/World/2015/04/10/22337541.html.