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Do you think “hashtag activism” is lazy? If you voice your support of a cause on social media, are you helping or part of the problem?
Hashtagging is a lazy from of activism. Posting on social media from the comfort of one’s home is easier than getting a petition or a protest/march started. However, posting on social media can be a great way to spread awareness to the common person.
Jesus, 18
I think that people who use hashtags as activism are just followers. I don’t see any connections politically, besides that politicians probably use it but other than that I don’t see it as effective as making videos, participating in campaigns, marching, etc. I’m not against it nor with it, but I would like to see us exercise our rights and opportunities.
Chi, 18
I believe that hashtag activism is a lazy form of protesting or demanding a change. By simply liking a picture or re-tweeting with a hashtag, you are not contributing to the overall benefit of the cause. Of course you are spreading the word, but are your friends going to take action? or are they simply going to follow in your same footsteps? Do people believe that President Obama, or any congressmen, or any person with influential power to spark a change, has time to be surfing the media looking for hashtags with great causes? All these questions should be answered by that individual who believes that a “hashtag” or a “like” will create a change. Rather, if it is not meant with the same purpose as it was originally meant to be, the act can be considered an insult.
Fernando, 18
I think hashtag activism is very lazy because the person posting the hashtag is just clicking their keyboards and thinking they are a big help rather than actually going to Nigeria and doing something about it. If you support a cause on social media I think you are both the problem and helping. You are part of the problem because you are just following another person that is being lazy and just hash tagging about it. At the same time, I think they are also helping because they bring the attention to many people on social media websites and it will end up being on some kind of news station either in the future or immediately.
Elder, 17
It takes absolutely no personal commitment or action to tweet. I think that voicing support is entirely separate from participating in activism. I can say I support a cause without saying I contribute to a cause. The two are completely different. If someone voices their support on an issue it neither helps nor hinders the cause.
Donna, 19
I think hashtag activism is lazy because you can post a link or talk about a cause anytime you want but are those same people actually going out there or putting any real effort in supporting whatever cause they are hashtagging about? The majority aren’t. A hashtag is just used as a form of advertisement. Just hashtagging a cause doesn’t mean you are necessarily really helping but it simply means you’re getting it out there.
Deborah, 17
Hashtag activism can be lazy but in cases such as #bringbackourgirls, I think hashtag activism has helped bring attention that wasn’t present to a serious problem. It is helping spread awareness–an aspect of activism.
Maria, 17
