5+ Easy Ways To Use Your Social Media as an Activist

The pandemic may have made everyone social distance, but it has only amplified the social issues happening around the world. Being an advocate for movements doesn’t require putting yourself at risk of getting sick. Instead, use your social media as an activist and to be the change the world needs!

Research and Learn About Social Issues

Without question, it’s essential to do research on topics before speaking on them. Sharing trusted resources and factual information is of the utmost importance! Once you join an online movement, be prepared to be wrong or feel vulnerable. Speaking up about injustice isn’t easy and can be met with backlash. Respond with kindness, understanding, and facts only. If you make a mistake, apologize and, if necessary, fix it.

Use Your Social Media as an Activist to Tell a Story

People connect to stories, especially personal experiences. If you don’t have an anecdote of your own, share relevant stories from the news. Remember to not make yourself the center of issues (such as racial injustice) if you are not impacted by them. With permission, lift up impacted voices and amplify their stories. (This should be done in a way that doesn’t tokenize, or burden, those telling their stories.)

Become a leader in a social movement online by using hashtags! It helps others feel like they are a part of something, and emboldens people to add their own story to a larger narrative (think #MeToo movement).

Be an Ally to Marginalized Communities

If you are not directly impacted by a social injustice, become an ally. Be an educating voice and reduce the burden on marginalized communities. It is not marginalized people’s job to educate or relieve guilt of those not affected. Once you start to speak up about injustice, you may have people reach out to you for advice, questions, or to share relevant content. You may also receive unfollows or negative commentary. Be ready to have open conversations over Instant Message and Direct Message.

Implement Visuals an Photos When You Use Your Social Media as an Activist

Undoubtedly, graphic organizers and social media posters have gone viral in 2020 as a way to talk about social issues online. They are easy to digest and are highly shareable. Compelling imagery can often say more than words! To make a bigger impact, use powerful photos along with the stories you share about social movements. However, be mindful of the images you share that are graphic or upsetting. If necessary, include a trigger warning with posts and images that have the potential to cause emotional harm.

Have an Offline Impact for Social Injustice Movements

Indeed, we must walk the walk before we talk the talk. People can see through performative activism. This is when someone supports a social cause in order to gain social capital and status, rather than truly being behind a movement. This mindset is often also referred to as ‘slacktivism’. Social media activism should be used to promote boots on the ground work.
It’s important to have an offline impact and presence in social issues. These include voting, attending protests, having conversations with family and friends, and supporting marginalized people in the local community. Sharing stories and pretty graphics online should only be a part of your social activism, but not the only activism.