How Digital Activism is Challenging and Shaping Democracy in the 21st Century.

How Digital Activism is Challenging and Shaping Democracy in the 21st Century.

Digital activism uses digital media to mobilise mass and political action. Instead of the usual placards and in-person protests, social media, emails, podcasts, spoken art, and toons have become the new age’s form of protesting.

With the rapid increase in smartphones and social media use, many of us have become capable voices for change. Thus, digital activism has become a powerful tool for civic education and in the fight for democracy.

With just a tweet, an Instagram post, or a viral hashtag, something can start to trend, and in no time, millions of people can be reached. This new form of activism has transformed how people organize, engage, and amplify their voices on political and social issues.

Digital activism’s potential is vast. It speedily opens doors to participation and influences things at an unprecedented scale. And yet, even with its reach and robustness, digital activism is not short of challenges, risks, and the need for refinement to fully reap its benefits.

Digital Activism: A New Voice for All

Perhaps digital activism’s greatest advantage to democracy is its inclusivity. It levels the ground for people of all backgrounds, giving nearly everyone a platform to express themselves. Advocacy is no longer limited to only the well-connected or those with resources.

Today, anyone with internet access can champion a cause and have their voice heard. In movements like #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, and #ArabSpring, we have witnessed this virtual capability at work.

Millions of individuals are reached far and wide, connecting people across continents, and bridging communities that might otherwise never have united in the absence of the internet.

Defending liberty in the digital age: how useful is social media activism? | Learn Liberty
Digital activism gives a voice to many people. Photo courtesy of Learn Liberty

These movements remind us of how, at its core, democracy depends on people. It’s everyday individuals who raise their voices, share their stories, and support one another that provide the building blocks of democracy.

Digital activism embodies the spirit of collective action, a rather synonymous likening to Ubuntu (I Am Because We Are). It reminds us that each voice counts and that together we can make a difference. What a beautiful and profoundly democratic idea!

A Double-Edged Sword: Misinformation and the Risk of Superficiality

But just as quickly as digital activism can empower, it can mislead. Misinformation spreads like wildfire in the digital space and is one of the greatest challenges in the digital era. People have realized that digital media can make a powerful tool for propaganda and have fully embraced it.

A single unverified post can negatively shape public opinion before the truth has a chance to catch up. Misinformation is more than an unfortunate side effect of digital activism; it’s a direct threat to its integrity. Without trust in the information being shared, the whole structure begins to crumble, and what started as a noble endeavour becomes another manipulation tool.

Even when the information is accurate, digital activism has a way of encouraging what many now call “slacktivism.” Slacktivism is where people show support by liking, sharing, or commenting and stop at that. There is no translation of the voices behind the keyboard to have a real-world impact.

It’s easy to confuse a moment of online engagement with meaningful involvement, especially when complex issues are ‘hashtagged’ or made trending topics. Yes, social media can mobilise support but without a deeper engagement, digital activism thus becomes just another shallow whirlpool. A quick like can never replace a true call to action.

Navigating the Risks: Privacy and Surveillance in Digital Activism

In places where freedom of expression is restricted or shunned, digital activism can be particularly dangerous. Many activists risk their privacy and safety to speak out online, even in the face of constant government surveillance or censorship.

The downside of constant surveillance is that it stifles the very voices digital activism aims to amplify. We’ve seen brave individuals in authoritarian regions risk their lives and use online platforms to rally support and make their plight known to the world. Unfortunately, the internet is not as anonymous or safe as we might wish.

New Age | Covid-19, digital activism and digital surveillance
Digital surveillance is a risk in digital activism. Photo Courtesy of New Age.

With tracking technology and surveillance on the rise, it has become easy for repressive regimes to monitor, identify, and silence dissidents. People disappear never to be seen or heard from again. In this way, digital activism can be a dangerous game; one that calls for urgency to the need for better protection and privacy safeguards.

Opportunities for a More Impactful Future

For digital activism to fulfill its promise as a force for democratic change, improvements are needed. One crucial bit is promoting and empowering digital literacy. People need to be taught how to evaluate information critically and differentiate what’s credible from what is suspect.

Also, they need knowledge on how to verify sources for a more informed public. This forms a good beginning in the fight against the spread of misinformation and protects the integrity of activism and the communities it serves.

If social media platforms invest in user-friendly fact-checking tools and partner with credible news sources, the digital sphere can become a space of reliable engagement, not just sensationalism.

Beyond education, social media platforms should prioritize content differently, not what will get the most clicks or views. Algorithms need recalibration to encourage constructive and respectful dialogue. That way, digital activism might become more thoughtful and focus on solutions instead of division.

Protecting Those Who Dare to Speak

As for those risking their safety to speak out, better digital security is not an option but a necessity. Platforms can offer better encryption and anonymity tools to help activists avoid surveillance and censorship. Additionally, international pressure on governments to respect digital rights should be increased fourfold. That way, we could create safer spaces for expression, especially in regions where digital activism is the only available outlet for dissent.

Reporting and Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace - Taylor Bracewell
Those who dare speak get threats which hampers the progress made in the digital activism space. Photo Courtesy of Taylor Bracewell

Organizations dedicated to digital rights can play a crucial role here. They can lobby for international protocols that protect digital freedom and offer resources to activists navigating these dangerous and murky waters.

Beyond the Screen: Bridging Digital and Real-World Activism

Digital activism is most effective when it is paired with offline action. Online efforts must inspire people to take real-world steps through local gatherings, organized protests, or policy advocacy. Digital activism should be a springboard for lasting engagement, not just an online trend.

Campaigns that encourage followers to participate in tangible ways in their communities have a better chance of making a sustained impact compared to those that do not. Leaders of digital movements, digital warriors, can help by emphasizing that true change often requires both an online presence and real-world commitment.

The Path Ahead

This reflection on digital activism clearly shows that it holds incredible potential and that its journey has only begun. Nonetheless, we stand at a crossroads where digital activism can either become a true force for democratic engagement or remain limited by its pitfalls.

If we can use digital activism responsibly, protect the vulnerable, prioritise the truth over clickbait, and inspire genuine offline action, digital activism can become a force of incredible power and possibility. Truly, digital activism may be young, but with thoughtful stewardship and sustained development, it can grow into a lasting, transformative force for good.

Geoffrey Ndege

Geoffrey Ndege

Geoffrey Ndege is the Editor and topical contributor for the Daily Focus. He writes in the areas of Science, Manufacturing, Technology, Innovation, Governance, Management and International Emerging Issues. For featuring, promotions or support, reach out to us at info@dailyfocus.co.ke
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