Clicktivism

Clicks count! Photo  via  kalw.org  

71% go online to discuss what’s on their minds [1]

Among millennials

Photo  via  falequin  (Flickr)  

American’s aged 18 and older spend an average of

One hour per day on the Internet and at least another hour with apps [1]

 Photo  via  Lel4nds  (Flickr)  

Social Media thrives on engagement and conversation

To gain visibility, An organization needs to be where the action is [1,2]

Photo  via  mkhmarke=ng  (Flickr)  

Clicktivism | [klik-tuh-viz-uh m]

[noun] 1.  the use of information communication

technologies, such as social media, to promote, support, and advance worthy causes.

2.  Clicktivism can include a range of activates such as organizing protests and signing petitions. [3,4, 5]

 

Photo  via  frits  ahlefeldt-­‐laurvig  (Flickr)  

Many critics have condemned Clicktivists, instead calling them Slacktivists. [6]

Critics of Clicktivism believe: Photo  via  petesimon  (Flickr)  

1. Getting involved online merely creates the impression of support for an organization [1]

Photo  via  mindful342  (Flickr)  

2. All the “likes”, “tweets”, and “shares” generated by online activists are “feel-good measures” that do not

yield results [7] Photo  via  Jason  A.  Howie  (Flickr)  

3. That Clicktivists are lazy and actually degrade “the very nature of activism” [8] - meg Wagner

Photo  via  Bill  (Flickr)  

in order to create greater change offline [1]

But in fact, a number of organizations have found ways to operate effectively online

Photo  via  OC  Always  (Flickr)  

So why does Clicktivism work? [9]

Photo  via  an  untrained  eye  (Flickr)  

Part of Clicktivism’s success is due to

the ease with which individuals can initially get involved

and share their cause with friends [10]

Photo  via  got  credit  (Flickr)  

Social media allows organizations and activists to raise awareness on a larger scale

and reach an audience they might not have touched offline [5,7]

Photo  via  oggin  (Flickr)  

But in order to make digital engagement meaningful

online presence must be leveraged so that online activism is tied to specific offline action and outcomes [6]

Photo  via  Cali  (Flickr)  

“A successful activist utilizes both virtual and real-life tools to spread the message” [8]

- Meg Wagner  

Photo  via  3eCheval  (Flickr)  

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

For example:

Photo  via  dragonbandphotos  (Flickr)  

The point of the challenge: To raise awareness and money for ALS

by creating funny, shareable videos of individuals pouring buckets of ice water on themselves

Photo  via  globalpanorama(Flickr)  

The ice bucket challenge is a true example of a successful, viral, online and offline campaign.

The challenge raised 800% over what was raised in the same period of time during the pervious year

Photo  via  ksayer11  (Flickr)  

So, how can online campaigns be successful?

Photo  via  photosteve10  (Flickr)  

1. Present the campaign message from an online perspective.

- Adapt your message so that it translates properly online, where people function differently than they do offline

- Make sure your message can become a catalyst for conversation [2]

Photo  via  successonline.com.au  

2. Be witty to engage viewers!

- Social media has the ability to allow multiple narratives to occur at the same time.

- If you’re message can engage many, you will reach a larger audience [2]

Photo  via  teachsxxxi.blogspot.com  

3. Expose you’re campaign and decentralize social networking

- Run your campaign on many different websites in order to create multiple points of contact [2]

Photo  via  siliconstaffing,co  

- Create a relationship with social media. - Be sure to connect your online mission to offline action in order to generate change in the real world! [2]

4. Create a sustainable operation

Photo  via  gorge.net.au  

Clicktivism can “make the world, the one beyond the keyboard, a better place”

- David Carr Photo  via  TwiPer  Icon  9a  (Flickr)  

Work Cited: 1. Carr, D. (2012, March 25). Hashtag Activism, and Its Limits. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/26/business/media/hashtag-activism-and-its-limits.html 2. Adhikari, A. (2012, April 5). How charities can use social media for digital campaigning. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2012/apr/05/charities-social-media-digital-campaigning 3. Sharma, R. (2014, August 20). Stop Pouring Ice on Clicktivism. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ritusharma/stop-pouring-ice-on-click_b_5692555.html 4. What is clicktivism? (n.d.). Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://www.clicktivist.org/what-is-clicktivism/ 5. Kielburger, C., & Kielburger, M. (2015, April 10). A click is not enough to have impact on world. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://cnews.canoe.com/CNEWS/World/2015/04/10/22337541.html 6. Faw, L. (2012, October 23). Are Millennials Lazy Or Avant-Garde Social Activists? Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/larissafaw/2012/10/23/are-millennials-lazy-or-avant-garde-social-activists/ 7. Moore, G. (2012, May 3). When clicking counts: In defense of slacktivism and clicktivism. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://www.one.org/us/2012/05/03/when-clicking-counts-in-defense-of-slacktivism-and-clicktivism/ 8. Wagner, M. (2013, September 25). Why 'Clicktivism' Isn't a Dirty Word. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://mashable.com/2013/09/25/clickivism/ 9. Carr, D. (2012, March 25). Hashtag Activism, and Its Limits. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/26/business/media/hashtag-activism-and-its-limits.html 10. Kingsley, P. (2011, July 20). Avaaz: Activism or 'slacktivism'? Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/20/avaaz-activism-slactivism-clicktivism