• Critical Media Literacy and Civic Learning
  • Introduction
  • Key Civics and Government Concepts
  • Defining Critical Media Literacy
  • Critical Media Literacy Guides
  • Topic 1. Foundations of the United States Political System
  • Topic 2. The Development of United States Government
  • Topic 3. Institutions of United States Government
  • Topic 4. The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
  • Topic 5. The Constitution, Amendments, and Supreme Court Decisions
  • Topic 6. The Structure of State and Local Government
  • Topic 7. Freedom of the Press and News/Media Literacy
  • Glossary
  • Download
  • Translations
  • 4.11: Political Activism Through Social Media

    What is activism? The climate justice activist Anjali Appadurai said it is "the practice of addressing an issue, any issue, by challenging those in power" (Activist Handbook, 2021, para. 5). According to Newsela, activism happens "when people fight for social change" (para. 1). Faculty in the Department of Anthropology at Syracuse University frame activism as "organizing, strategizing, mobilizing, and educating" (para. 1). All of these definitions connect activism and change.

    Watch on YouTube

    Social media is an important tool for activism, advocacy, and change.

    In this activity, you will explore how to use social media to advocate for an issue of personal interest while also considering the following questions: What might be the upsides and downsides of online activism? How do individuals evaluate the impact of their activism through social media?

    Activity: Advocate for an Issue You Care About on Social Media

    Designing for Learning: Student-Created Activity Example

    Advocate for an Issue You Care About on Social Media by Kelsey Rowe, Fallon Matte, Kaitlin LeBlanc, Chanhwi Jung

    Additional Resources

    Connecting to the Building Democracy for All eBook

    Building Democracy for All: Youth Activists and Change Makers

    Connecting to the Standards

    • Massachusetts Civics & Government Standards
      • Explain the importance of individuals working cooperatively with their elected leaders. (Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for History and Social Studies) [8.T4.8]
    • ISTE Standards
      • Digital Citizen
        • 2a: Students cultivate and manage their digital identity and reputation and are aware of the permanence of their actions in the digital world.
        • 2b: Students engage in positive, safe, legal and ethical behavior when using technology, including social interactions online or when using networked devices.
      • Knowledge Constructor
        • 3a: Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits.
        • 3d: Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions.
      • Creative Communicator
        • 6a: Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.
        • 6b: Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.
        • 6d: Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for the intended audiences.
    • DLCS Standards
      • Safety and Security (CAS.a)
      • Collaboration and Communication (DTC.b)
      • Research (DTC.c)
    • English Language Arts > History/Social Studies Common Core Standards
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.7

    This content is provided to you freely by EdTech Books.

    Access it online or download it at https://edtechbooks.org/mediaandciviclearning/social_media_activism.