Social media fuels the activism fire
From the ‘60s to now, student activism has blossomed due to the active role of social media
Technology is power. Power is influence. Influence can change the world. The impact of social media on student protests can be seen through simple numbers.
I have never considered myself an activist. While I care about important topics and advocate for people’s rights, I have never felt like my voice had much power. I’m not an eloquent speaker. I can’t gather troops and march. I don’t have an overwhelming charisma that allows me to get everyone’s attention. Regardless, social media has allowed me to play a part by spreading information and amplifying diverse voices by simply posting on my Instagram story.
Student activism has played a significant part in numerous movements, as young adults fight to build a better future for themselves and the next generation’s future. Throughout history, many turning points can be directly linked to the consistent efforts of student activists.
During the American civil rights movement, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee advocated for Black rights by organizing non-violent protests such as sit-ins and freedom rides. These actions put pressure on the American government, resulting in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Nowadays, we see a similar pattern shaping the world.
In recent years, student activism has had a major impact on the fight against climate change. Greta Thunberg, a 23-year-old Swedish environmental activist, is at the forefront of the movement. The involvement of students in the movement has pressured governments worldwide to push initiatives such as the European Climate Law in 2021, in which countries legally commit member states to become climate-neutral by 2050. At Concordia, separating our waste into trash, recycling, and compost is one of the many initiatives toward a healthier planet, spearheaded by organizations like enuf Canada.
The collective problem that all movements share is recruiting enough people to spread the word. Before social media, students would pass posters and flyers around their campus, organize meetings to inform people, and go door-to-door, which required a lot of manpower. In 2024, it can be a one-person operation. With the simple tap of your finger, information can be spread globally, and this has completely changed the game for student activism.
Roughly 250,000 people took part in the largest civil rights march in 1963. While we might see fewer people marching in the street in the 2000s, the online mobilization of millions continues to gain momentum. A similar movement, BLM, has been able to reunite 15 to 26 million people around the United States to diverse protests.
In October 2023, the Quebec government announced a hike in tuition for all out-of-province and international students attending English universities. Protests, teach-ins, strikes, and mobilization initiatives were rapidly shared on social media by the Arts and Science Federation of Associations (ASFA). Over a thousand students attended.
In the past six months, ASFA and other student associations, such as the Fine Arts Students Association, have continued to advocate for their cause through organized strikes. These strikes, lasting three to five days each, served as a means of amplifying their demands and putting pressure on the government to reconsider the tuition increases. Due to their social media presence, both of these associations have been able to unify hundreds of students in a short amount of time.
In the same pattern, student involvement in the pro-Palestine movement has been shared worldwide. From Columbia University in the USA to our neighbour McGill University, the popularization of encampments on university grounds has happened through TikTok and Instagram.
In contrast to the 1960s and even the early 2000s, social media has allowed me to speak on subjects close to my heart with greater ease and reach. This non-traditional means of activism permits people lacking a platform or audience to share their perspectives.
Social media has shifted from a personal diary to a source of power for a small audience to make changes. Social media is the new face of activism; it fuels ideas and creates legislation. Maybe I am an activist after all.
This article originally appeared in Volume 45, Issue 1, published September 3, 2024.
