#digitalactivism

[mirandatrannzz]

[Week 5]

✊🏾 The Power of #BlackLivesMatter: Digital Citizenship & Political Engagement 

Social media has transformed activism. With the rise of platformisation - where digital platforms shape how we communicate and engage (Chia et al., 2020) - political participation now happens online as much as in the streets. This shift has fueled digital citizenship, where people use online spaces to advocate for change (Theocharis et al., 2023).

But does online activism actually make a difference? Let’s take a look at one of the most influential movements of the digital age: #BlackLivesMatter.

How #BlackLivesMatter Took Over Social Media

The hashtag first appeared in July 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin. But it truly exploded in May 2020, with over 1.2 million tweets per day following the murder of George Floyd (Hatfield, 2023).

The movement became a rallying cry, especially for Gen Z and Millennials. While 64% of adults aged 18–29 support BLM, that number drops to 41% among those 65+ (Figure 1). This generational divide highlights the role of social media in shaping awareness and activism.

Figure 1 (Hatfield, 2023)

A large majority of U.S. social media users (77%) have encountered Black Lives Matter content, and 34% have posted or shared something about the topic (Figure 2). This shows that social media is not just a passive space - it is where conversations, debates, and mobilization happen.

Figure 2 (Hatfield, 2023)

Social Media: A Tool for Engagement or Just a Hashtag?

Between 2013 and 2023, about 72% of tweets using #BlackLivesMatter were supportive, while 17% were neutral and 11% were negative (Figure 3).

Figure 3 (Hatfield, 2023)

The hashtag was not just words - it sparked action (Rauschnabel et al., 2019). People used it to: ✔️ Share petitions ✍🏾 ✔️ Contact public officials 📢 ✔️ Amplify political news 📰 ✔️ Mobilize protests and donations 💰

Even political figures took notice. Former President Donald Trump often criticized the movement. In July 2020, he referred to a planned Black Lives Matter mural in New York City as a "symbol of hate" (Liptak & Holmes, 2020). His comments reflected ongoing political tensions over the movement’s goals and methods.

Trump calls Black Lives Matter a ‘symbol of hate’ as he digs in on race | CNN Politics

Trump continues seizing upon widening cultural divisions in a way he believes will appeal to voters concerned about safety and order

Does Digital Activism Create Real Change?

Many argue that online activism fuels real-world action (Maratea, 2013). The BLM movement led to: 🔥 Mass protests worldwide  📢 Policy discussions on police reform  💰 Millions in donations to racial justice organizations 

What do you think? 🤔 Is hashtag activism enough, or does real change require more? Drop your thoughts below! 👇🏾

#MDA20009#BlackLivesMatter #DigitalActivism #SocialJustice #GenZ #Millennials #RacialJustice #SocialMedia #Politics #BLM #OnlineActivism #Protest #2020Election #DigitalCitizenship

References

Chia, A., Keogh, B., Leorke, D., & Nicoll, B. (2020). Platformisation in game development. Internet Policy Review, 9(4), 1–28. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/205727/

Hatfield, J. (2023, July 12). 8 facts about Black Lives Matter. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/07/12/8-facts-about-black-lives-matter/

Liptak, K., & Holmes, K. (2020, July). Trump calls Black Lives Matter a “symbol of hate” as he digs in on race. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/01/politics/donald-trump-black-lives-matter-confederate-race/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Maratea, R. J. (2013). The Politics of the Internet. Google Books. https://books.google.com.vn/books?hl=en&lr=&id=VZnQAgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=Many+argue+that%C2%A0online+activism+fuels+real-world+action&ots=3aHYtvEhVF&sig=nd1fOkgkkDMhIcjzCCdJ1R39dpE&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

Rauschnabel, P. A., Sheldon, P., & Herzfeldt, E. (2019). What motivates users to hashtag on social media? Psychology & Marketing, 36(5), 473–488. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21191

Theocharis, Y., Boulianne, S., Koc-Michalska, K., & Bimber, B. (2023). Platform affordances and political participation: how social media reshape political engagement. West European Politics, 46(4), 788–811. https://doi.org/10.1080/01402382.2022.2087410

[jaezbrainlint]

Heading to Austin, TX at the end of this month for #AlterConf #indigenousresistence #digitalactivism #motivationalvibes

[juleswilder]

I think this image represents how social media platforms function as digital public squares. Hashtags and trending topics allow communities to gather, share perspectives, and amplify voices that may not receive attention in the mainstream media. However, these same spaces can also expose users to harassment and misinformation, reflecting the tension between empowerment and vulnerability.

[ilschroe]

Social media doesn’t just document movements, it helps build them. From livestreams at protests to hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter, digital platforms have reshaped how activism spreads and how communities organize. As this week’s readings suggest, these platforms can empower marginalized voices while also exposing them to harassment and algorithmic bias. The same tools that amplify justice can also amplify division.

[ilschroe]

#BlackLivesMatter Turns 10

More than 44 million #BlackLivesMatter tweets from nearly 10 million distinct users currently exist on Twitter today. Over half of all exist

This Pew Research Center report reflects on the 10 year impact of Black Lives Matter and shows how social media has shaped modern activism. It highlights how hashtags can mobilize awareness at a national scale while also documenting the polarization and backlash that often follow. It connects directly to our readings about online activism, identity, and how digital spaces amplify both solidarity and division.

[variousstudentthoughts]

This image reflects how racial justice conversations move through social media spaces, especially on Black Twitter. Communities use hashtags, memes, and collective storytelling to call out racism, hold media accountable, and mobilize political action. As the Knight Foundation notes, these digital networks influence which stories gain national attention — showing that social platforms aren’t just social spaces, but political arenas.

[salshai6]

The Power and Limits of Social Media Movements

Social media has become one of the most powerful arenas for activism, and the readings this week really underscored how it shapes political and cultural conversations. Platforms like Twitter/X have given rise to communities such as Black Twitter that not only amplify marginalized voices but also influence mainstream media coverage. Movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo are proof that digital spaces can mobilize people on a massive scale and create lasting cultural shifts.

What stood out to me most was the dual nature of these platforms. The Stanford research showing that “anyone can become a troll” revealed how easily negativity spreads online, while the California high school Instagram case demonstrated that online hate doesn’t stay contained, it spills over into real communities with very real consequences. Taken together, the materials show that social media is both empowering and volatile. It has the potential to create solidarity and meaningful change, but it also magnifies division, misinformation, and hostility. That tension feels like the defining challenge of activism in the digital age.

[salshai6]

This photo from a Palestine protest in London shows how struggles for justice are amplified through social media. Platforms like X, TikTok, and Instagram make these movements visible worldwide, connecting local protests to global solidarity. It reflects how race, identity, and politics intersect in online spaces and how hashtags become rallying cries across borders.