Campaigns and technology (pg 216-218)

Online activism is part of the ___, where communications technology has helped to bring about social change.

Definition of this key word

Definition of activism

Digital revolution: the advancement of technology used in everyday lives

Activism: the action of campaigning to raise awareness about an issue

How is online activism efficient?

Going online can help groups organise campaigns by providing information, launching petitions and using hashtags to raise awareness about their issues. People can now get their political opinions out into the world at a faster rate

Communications technology has enabled people around the world to share their view and opinions easily. Social media has led to ___ becoming an effective way for organisations and charities to communicate with their audience

Definition?

Digital campaigning: a method of campaigning using the Internet

Traditionally, campaigning was done in person (how?).

Why is digital campaigning more effective?

Traditional campaigning forms:

• Knocking on people’s doors to discuss the campaign

• Giving out leaflets

• Asking people to sign petitions

• It is more effective because with the help of communications tech all of this can be done online so it can reach more people (not only local).

• Social media can also be more cost effective as it is free to set up an account and share content, compared to printing methods.

• Social media campaigns can be done at a global scale without the need for campaigners to travel (saving time and money)

Online activism/digital campaigning recent example

November 2025

• In South Africa there was a protest against gender based violence and femicide dubbed G20 Women’s Shutdown had been organised by the NGO Women for Change who also started an online campaign to raise awareness where many social media users, including celebrities, changed their profiles to purple

• There was also an online petition, signed by over 1 million people

• As a result, on november 2025 GBV and femicide had been declared a national disaster in South Africa.

Case study: GoFundMe

This is a platform that allows people to raise money. Donations are given online.

• During the Palestine conflict, many of its citizens set up GoFundMe accounts to raise money for basic necessities (food, clothes)

How has the importance of communications technology become more prominent since globalisation?

As people move and travel more, social media can keep us connected while informing us about issues that affect other people in different parts of the world as well as our own