Slacktivism | Solutional Webdesign Antwerpen

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Slacktivism is a term that refers to the act of showing support for a cause through effortless and minimal commitment methods, primarily online or through social media^[1] platforms. These activities include actions like liking, sharing or tweeting about causes, signing online petitions, and using hashtags or changing profile photos to show solidarity. While the term was first used positively in 1995 by Dwight Ozard and Fred Clark, it has since faced criticism for its perceived lack of effectiveness in solving global issues, with some believing that it might even detract from traditional activism^[2]. Despite this, there are arguments that slacktivism can raise awareness and influence opinions, leveraging the power of social media to spread information. Different forms of slacktivism include clicktivism, charity actions, social media movements, and political engagement. The impact and implications of slacktivism are widely debated, with discussions focusing on its role in civic engagement, its use in authoritarian contexts, its novelty and longevity, and the ethical concerns and effectiveness of online petitions.

Terms definitions

1. ↑ social media. Social media is a broad term encompassing a variety of digital tools and platforms that facilitate the sharing of information and the creation of virtual communities. Emerging from early systems like PLATO and ARPANET, it has evolved into modern platforms like Facebook and Twitter. These platforms offer unique features that differentiate them from traditional media, including the ability for users to generate content and engage in dialogic communication. They cater to over 100 million users globally and offer different forms of services, such as messaging apps and collaborative content creation platforms. The use of social media has far-reaching impacts on individuals, society, and businesses, influencing everything from marketing practices to political processes. However, it's also associated with ethical concerns, such as the spread of misinformation and potential addiction.

2. ↑ activism. Activism is a broad term that refers to the action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change. It can be categorized into several types, such as human rights, environmental, animal rights, and conservative activism. Each type has its own specific focus but they all share a common goal of effecting change. Activists use various methods to achieve their goals, including nonviolent tactics, political campaigning, internet activism, and economic activism. Additionally, there are specific forms of activism such as consumer, art, science, and shareholder activism. The impact and influence of activism are wide-ranging, from shaping social, political, and economic landscapes to influencing public discourse and corporate practices.

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Glossary

Slacktivism (Wikipedia)

Slacktivism (a portmanteau of slacker and activism) is the practice of supporting a political or social cause by means such as social media or online petitions, characterized as involving very little effort or commitment. Additional forms of slacktivism include engaging in online activities such as "liking," "sharing," or "tweeting" about a cause on social media, signing an Internet petition, copying and pasting a status or message in support of the cause, sharing specific hashtags associated with the cause, or altering one's profile photo or avatar on social network services to indicate solidarity.

Critics of slacktivism suggest that it fails to make a meaningful contribution to an overall cause because a low-stakes show of support, whether online or offline, is superficial, ineffective, draws off energy that might be used more constructively, and serves as a substitute for more substantive forms of activism rather than supplementing them, and might, in fact, be counter-productive. As groups increasingly use social media to facilitate civic engagement and collective action, proponents of slacktivism have pointed out that it can lead to engagement and help generate support for lesser-known causes.

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