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 mkhmarketing (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 Twitter 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