I believe that social media has the potential to bring about real social change. Social media has come a long way over the years, and it’s just going to keep getting more dominant. However, there are downfalls towards the usage of social media for children. For instance, kids aren’t outside playing as much and getting exercise. Instead, they’re indoors on their computers or cell phones on social media networks like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. But social media networks are so powerful and people are starting to realize this and use it to their advantage. For example, KONY 2012 is an international campaign created by Invisible Children; aiming to bring Joseph Kony to justice for abducting children and making them become child-sex slaves and child soldiers. I would have never heard of this campaign if it weren’t for social media. On the weekend, I signed on to Facebook and my whole news feed was filled with people “sharing” the link to the campaign. Later I signed on to Twitter and saw that “#KONY2012” was a topic trending worldwide. The campaign leader knew that if he got their campaign to go public on social media networks, then the video would go viral, and people would want to help internationally. And that is exactly what happened. People all over the world are now buying the Kony 2012 Kit where the proceeds go toward the campaign. People all over the world are joining together to volunteer for this campaign. It’s pretty crazy to believe that all because someone made the video about the KONY 2012 campaign and posted it on YouTube, how fast and how many people got involved and are trying to help. Social media can be a wonderful thing. So yes, after witnessing first-hand what social media can help accomplish, I definitely do agree that social media has great potential to bring about real social change.
I agree when you say as the years go by, the more dominant Social Media will become. Children are going to become lazier as the years go by, more social media sites will become available for kids, and the children will much rather communicate with people online, then get some fresh air, or go and socialize with people in person. It’s good that people and companies use social media to their advantages but there are some things social media cannot get across, I think. The KONY 2012, is a great example, and I think using social media to bring this guy to justice for the actions he has done is smart, people need to also be aware of what’s going on in the world nowadays, and social media enables virtually everyone to see. Social media is a quick way to get information across, once something is posted on one social media site, it does not take long at all for the information to be posted on other social media sites.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who works in Africa quite a bit, I completely tune out of these IC type campaigns now, which are more about making money and feeling good than doing anything. Africa has to solve its own problems, and they will too. I think people will be surprised at the state of Africa in 20 years and it will have nothing to do with these kinds of campaigns and aid and everything to do with their own initiative.
DeleteThere are so many things wrong with the Kony 2012 campaign, but regardless of whether or not the things stated in the videos are true or not, regardless of whether the IC is a legitimate foundation or not, the fact remain that the methodology of this campaign encourages "slactivism". What this shows is that the younger generation thinks that they can change the world by buying a few bracelets and action kits from a charity that they know next to nothing about, and can make a difference by signing an e-petition. It's not bad to be against Kony, he's obviously quite an evil man and most of us can agree upon that, but to join the the slacktivist cause simply shows anti-intellectualism. Africa has been messed up for a long time, to suddenly start caring, not even for Africa, but for a manhunt for one of the hundreds of militant leaders in Africa, is a clearer sign of apathy than that of those who oppose Kony 2012 because they have done their research and learned about the organization and the cause before blindly clicking that share button.
I agree with what you said about “ Kids aren’t outside playing as much and getting exercise. Instead, they’re indoors on their computers or cell phones on social media networks” it is true children and adults mostly avoid doing physical activities just to spend more time in video games or in social media sites. Social media allows millions of people to come together as one community and have their voice heard
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