Source from theguardian.com/australia-news/gallery/2021/mar/15/enough-is-enough-march-4-justice-rallies-in-pictures
That is the question.
How can social media create reform and structurally shift how political and social issues are seen in reality?
Warning: this blog post does mention sexual harassment and abuse, reader discretion advised.
Politics and social media have had a relationship for quite some time, just look at political elections for the past decade. People have been given the ability to have persuasive impact on their platform, particularly with sharing posts and ‘stories within the variety of apps available (Penney 2018). Influencers arguably now have a clearer impact on the way their audience of followers think about political issues, perhaps even more so because they haven’t come from a ‘traditional’ political background as politicians or journalists (Harrington (2020)). An example was seen through the increased use of micro-influencers paid to promote for certain parties in US political campaigns to build momentum (Suciu 2020). In a further, day to day sense, they can be ‘lightening rods’ for discussion of political issue, drawing attention and shifting them to the forefront of public debate and national conversation (Harrington 2020). This is exampled through #MeToo and #Blacklivesmatter, both political and social movements that built their momentum on social media. This ‘network thinking’ perhaps motivates a positive sense to the persuasive efficacy of individuals on social media, particularly the significance it has in addressing deep rooted issues in society.
The Issue
Despite the increase of political discussion, many dismiss the use of social media, branding it as ‘slacktivism’. These reservations are twofold, that social media is a ‘vacuum’ for political expression and does not have enough reach to make a meaningful impact on the broader population, and that there is potential for political views to be out of reach due to the ‘self-segregated’ nature of social media’ (Penney 2018). Do we have social media to thank for our voices? Or can we as young people, have an impact on political agenda and policy reform? I think it is necessary to note that despite collectiveness on issues over the past year, smaller less defined ones arguably get lost in the masses of media online (Debois and Blank 2018). Issue of performatism also arises in occasions of political issues. Whether or not the individual or influencer is doing it for personal gain or for a ‘pat on the back’, creates a false sense of support for the movement or issues at hand. This can be particularly frustrating in instances and matters deeply rooted and personal subjects of specific groups in society (Houston 2021)
In addition to this, the overlap of social media and politics can be seen with many politicians themselves using social media to understand the general public and then create change. Does this not increase the value of political discussion online? As McGregor notes, “Media posts by the public are consumed and rebroadcast by political elites to understand and communicate public opinion” However despite this being shown as a positive and appearing to bring public position closer to politics, perhaps this enables elites more power over the matter of public opinion to their advantage (2020, p.252).
How is this significant for us?
As it is clear the overlap between politics and social media continues with opinions on political and social issues being more prevalent than ever, I find myself questioning as to whether online space, truly has an impact. So i asked again, can social media truly change the course of politics? Can reform and structural shift come of the build-up of movements online, particularly by young people not yet in power? This is particularly significant as people who the issue is about, who are at the forefront of its force, don’t get to stop bearing the brunt of it when the phone gets switched off, or when the next issue comes along for an influencer to jump on. This is particularly the case for minorities or those being prejudiced against, as they are arguably and usually in the middle of the topic.
This thought came to my mind over the past couple of weeks, through the news and various discussions had with friends, on the issue of sexual harassment and assault. This issue had to come to the forefront of social media in light of the recent murder of Sarah Everard in the UK and the allegations regarding rape and harassment, facing certain members of Parliament.
This has seen a spike in social media posts and sharing surrounding this issue as we can note from the below (Blau 2021):
Twitter:
- A number of sexual assault disclosures were made following the rape and harassment allegations relating to Parliament
- Allegations made specific to ADF following Chief Angus Campbell warning cadets not to become ‘prey’ after being out at night
Instagram:
- Chanel Contos asked her followers if they’d experienced sexual assault from private school boys as teenagers via a Google Doc, which now contains more than 17,000 testimonials
- Operation Vest – Chanel Contos and NSW Police launch operation encouraging sexual assault victims to come forward (Brancatisano 2021)
- More than 100 Sydney schools met with NSW Police Sex Crimes Squad to discuss ‘Teach Us Consent’
- Qld government order a review into school sexual education
TikTok:
- Challenges such as ‘put your finger down’ for examples of sexual harassment and abuse
- Continued use of Julia Gillard’s “misogyny” speech and Scott Morrison’s response used
Facebook:
- Proved a valuable tool for organising women’s marches including one on parliament
- Current and former labor staffers were detailing allegation against male MPs and staff in a closed group
- Betoota Advocate and the Chaser – satirical and media responses to sexual assault allegations
- Response to the Four Corners report into the ‘Canberra Bubble’ has also gained response across social media ranging from outrage of the behaviour of ministers on the program (Heurich & Coghlan 2021).
It is arguable we have seen result from the avalanche of people addressing this issue online. However, with the end goal to stop sexual harassment and assault, has social media really been able to create mass change? Despite great efforts to promote change in politics, inquiry and political reform to do with the culture of society, the workplace and schools, will it make a difference? Or does the focus of the masses only hold as long as the next issue becomes available? I guess we will find out.
– Eadie
Reference List
Blau, A 2021, Social Media is Driving the Latest Wave of Activism on Sexual Assault, ABC News, viewed 20 March 2021,
Brancatisano, E 2021, Chanel Contos and NSW Police launch operation encouraging sexual assault victims to come forward, SBS News, viewed 24 March 2021,
Dubois, E & Blank, G 2018, ‘The Echo Chamber is Overstated: The Moderating Effect of Political Interest and Diverse Media’, Information, Communication & Society, vol. 21, no. 5, pp. 729-745.
Harrington, J 2020, Game Influence New Wave Political Influencers Became Lightning Rods Debate, PR Week,viewed 20 March 2021,
Heurich, A., & Coghlan, J 2021, ‘The Canberra Bubble: A Toxic Gender Culture’, M/C Journal, vol. 24, no. 1.
Houston, A 2021, Activism on social media: bringing down the curtain on performative allyship, The Drum, viewed 19 March 2021,
McGregor, S. C 2020, ‘“Taking the Temperature of the Room”: How Political Campaigns Use Social Media to Understand and Represent Public Opinion’, Public Opinion Quarterly, vol. 84, no. 1, pp. 236-256.
Penney, J 2018, ‘Young People as Political Influencers on Social Media: Skepticism and Network Thinking’, International Conference on Social Media and Society, pp. 355-359.
Suciu, P 2020, Will Political Social Media Influencers Impact This Year’s Election? Forbes, viewed 18 March 2021,
Eadie Melloy 