Prior to Research Blog
Society is a web of interconnecting ideas, that interact with each other and results in cooperation (or dissent) amongst people. Social media is no different in concept, with the only difference being that oftentimes you do not know the person who you agree or disagree with, and their motivations may be entirely unforeseen due to the anonymity that the worldwide web provides. It is not a community in physical form, but the society that is social media reaches far further than the Romans did, or the Greeks before them. Therefore, online activism can be a powerful instrument in implementing change, starting on the internet-with results reaching far beyond the screens of our devices.
To place a working definition upon online activism, it is when awareness is spread about social or political change with the use of social media, email and or websites. It can be a form of civil disobedience, and when used correctly can seriously affect change. The striking advantage of online activism is its far-reaching nature and the inability to stop a movement once it has taken off. In the same way you cannot shoot an idea, you cannot shoot a website or social media post. Online activism can be implemented without the fear of bodily harm that can be presumed at in-person protests, which means that movements can have a longer-lasting impact, and can be seen by more people.
To have proposed in the early 1990s, at the dawn of the internet, that in a few short decades politicians globally would be as wary of the keyboard as they are of the gun would have seemed laughable. Many could not see how their jobs could be put at risk due to activism taking place on a digital landscape. Online activism has enabled political change on a broad level, affecting various parts of various societies, in various cultures globally. The evidence of political change being affected by online activism will be presented in these series of blogs, ascertaining to climate change, global conflicts, racial movements and gun regulations.
Post-Research Blog
Online activism has been key in the political landscape of the United States of America for quite some time now. In relation to online activism, there are many movements that highlight need for gun reform. In order to get to the bottom of how these reforms aimed to be achieved through online activism, I spoke personally to an activist (“John”) and conducted an interview. “John” has been an online for gun reform ever since he tragically lost his brother in a mass shooting, and he was very generous in providing me insightful answers, along with showing me pamphlets and other material used to spread awareness for gun reform. Below is the interview I conducted with John.
How do you consider the current situation with regards to gun violence in America today?
Currently, America has two sides to the story. States with more gun laws and restrictions see lower deaths by gun per capita, while the opposite is true on States with more lax gun laws. There is a correlation from the data which suggests that easier access to guns doesn’t necessarily mean we are more safe.
Would you consider online activism an effective tool in relation to pushing for change to gun regulations?
Yes, online activism is a great tool because young people are the ones who will shape the future, and so many of us get information and engage in the exchange of ideals through social media and other online platforms. Anywhere we can spread the word helps!
How do you think online activism has caused political change (or has it)?
In the scope of American politics, we’ve seen parties move farther away from centre in recent years with gun laws. Prime examples are State governments throughout the Southern US creating permit-less carry laws. It’s clear that gun rights are on the minds of voters in every election. The weight of its impact changes each election cycle, but we know the gravity of the situation on both sides and have fundamentally different beliefs about how to create solutions to the problem of gun violence. In terms of online activism, in 2016, the Trump campaign leveraged Cambridge Analytica to directly target voters in swing states. It had a huge impact on the outcome of the election. In 2020, social media was pivotal with the increase in awareness and activism through various forms of social media. There are even instances of young people saying that they get the majority of their political ideas from TikTok.
Do you think online activism can be used by itself to affect change for gun regulations, or does it need to be used alongside other actions?
Like any change, it must be a multi-layered approach that used the digital space as one medium for communication. Showing up in person to organise, protest, and vote is crucial!
What do you consider the ultimate goal of online activism against gun regulations?
Better informed citizenry through increasing awareness of the disease that is gun violence through sharing stories and data in order to help people better understand why it’s important to take guns so seriously.
John also offered a concluding statement, which he wished to be included:
Over the past few years, gun violence has risen to the forefront of public consciousness. Much of the debate has focused on gun regulation and keeping deadly weapons out of the hands of potential killers, particularly those with mental illnesses. Unfortunately, far less attention has been dedicated to the impact of gun violence on victims.
Online activism is a great tool in pushing awareness on gun violence. With mass shooting and any types of shooting occurring so frequently, social media can be a vital tool. So many people are on social media including young people.
Needless to say, John’s answers are full of thought and insight, which have been invaluable for my research into online activism affecting political change.
The lasting impact of online activism against gun laws in America has been the resulting polarisation of people on the matter. Political polarisation in the USA is arguably the worst it has been since the civil war in the 1800s, and a key factor of this polarisation is the topic of gun laws. Conservatives believe that the ability to own guns is an ‘absolute right’, frequently citing the second amendment of the US constitution- the right to bear arms. On the other hand, the liberal opinion on the matter is that due to the damage that shootings have caused on communities throughout America, firearms are simply too dangerous for everybody to have access to.
John also highlighted the importance of a “multi-layered approach”, with the key objective of online activism being “better informed citizenry”. I believe this is what is at the core of all online activism movements that aim to bring about political change. Online activism cannot be considered as a single entity, or tool to use against a volatile topic such as gun reform. It is imperative that it is used in tandem with other means to bring about political change, such as in person protests and meeting with elected officials.
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