Since its start in the late 1990s, social media has only evolved. With apps like Instagram, X, Facebook, and TikTok, a user can connect with someone across the world with a click of a button. Written work, photos, and videos can be posted with ease. Social media is how many receive their news, updates, and even form opinions. While, of course, there is a negative side to how social media impacts the world, there is an undeniable power in its ability to do good as well. It has changed how we function as a society.
Gives a platform
Social media gives people a platform to voice their opinions and call for action at little to no cost. Users can post to mass audiences with ease. Information is being shared, and movements are starting every day on social media. It is easy for audiences to repost and share content with their friends, quickly spreading news. Social media is unique in that users are responsible for creating content, which can give them a platform they do not have in the real world.
Connections
On platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram, you typically are “friends” with people you are merely acquaintances with or do not even know at all. Malcolm Gladwell’s article “Small Change” calls these connections “weak ties.” It is found that these weak ties actually make activists less active. Without the closeness and support of friends, people may feel less motivated to take action beyond liking or sharing posts.
However, having these weak ties could actually be beneficial in sharing a message. People tend to associate with others who share similar lifestyles and beliefs. Their algorithm is designed only to show them content they already feel connected to, and they may miss out on other perspectives or news updates that could positively impact society. These weak ties offer a new perspective on certain issues a user would otherwise not be aware of.
Timeliness
A huge advantage of using social media for good is its timeliness. People can post immediate updates on a situation and offer real-time insights. Society does not need to rely solely on news articles that may be biased or censored. News is timely, but not as fast as social media, since an article or report must go through multiple editors and publishers before the public reads it.
There will be misinformation when users don’t have to verify their information before posting. However, I am hopeful that platforms are and will implement more features like X’s Community Notes, where other users work together to identify misinformation and add notes to the post to provide context or correct it. Despite the risk for false claims, the accessibility of social media is powerful in creating good in this world.
Social media in the future
Platforms are still evolving, and users are finding new ways to get their message across. Social media is a tool that needs to be used in our society to do good. Combined with offline work, social movements and messages are only strengthened by online work.
Resources
Gladwell, M. (2010, September 27). Small Change. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/10/04/small-change-malcolm-gladwell
LAUREN SCOOPO 