Social Media and Youth Activism

Social Media and Youth Activism Lecture address the issue of youth activism in the contemporary IT environment. Some scholars argue that youth activism today is at its lowest points. They emphasize movements such as those in the USA, for example Black Panthers who fought for the rights of black and oppressed people in America, or student movement and anti-war movement during the Vietnam war. The students were also heavily involved in social justice for the civil rights movement, the women’s liberation movement, and gay rights, as well as environmental issues and freedom of speech, among other things. Today, some say, youth are self-centered, narcissistic and so on, and they take no part in civic participation. 

Others think that countless youth are civically engaged and involved in movements outside of traditional political groups. Kassimir concludes that “our understanding of contemporary youth activism – local and global, national and transnational – lags woefully behind the political practices of young people… Many young people have found their voices and are speaking up for change”.

So, how are young people using social media as tools for activism?

Facebook and Twitter are used resources for youth activism: technological advancement has necessitated a new way of understanding activism among young people. The nowadays world is being transformed by young people, “but crucially through means and methods that are unfamiliar to adults”.

 Powerpoint presentation of the lecture can be found here.