The Activist’s Double-Edged Sword: Social Media

Elon Musk’s acquisition of X (formerly known as Twitter) has brought unprecedented attention to private entities controlling major social media platforms. Coupled with Musk’s public stance as a “free speech absolutist”, this has profoundly shaped the platform’s perception to the rest of the world. With X having millions of users daily, debates over the role of social media platforms in regulating free speech and misinformation have been reignited. This also begs the question for activists worldwide: Will social media be a friend or foe?

Thus far, social media has already been used as a platform for marginalised voices to be heard. This is evident through movements such as #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, and many more. Social media provide a low barrier to entry for marginalised groups to amplify their voices. By commenting, liking, and sharing posts related to matters that individuals can relate to, activists can connect and foster a sense of solidarity. Moreover, the exponential reach of social media also allows netizens to advocate for movements on a global scale.

Yet, there are also concerns about the spread of misinformation, potential censorship, and even cancel culture that makes social media a controversial medium for activism. The primary concern is the rapid spread of false information that can occur, undermining movement and eroding public trust when these issues are brought to light. Additionally, overzealous activists may compromise on the clarity of their content in order to have better content engagement, leading to an inaccurate portrayal of the movement as a whole.

In order to solve these issues, countries around the world have made use of public policy to mitigate the risks of spreading information through social media. One such example would be the EU’s 2022 Code of Practice on Disinformation. Though voluntary, this framework was agreed upon by large social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter; along with players in the advertising industry, research, and civil society organisations. These companies agreed to self-regulate their platforms, providing greater transparency in advertising and collaborating with industry experts to identify and fact-check pieces of fake news.

All in all, social media is a powerful tool, but activists must wield it responsibly. By understanding the pros and cons of utilising social media for activism, individuals will be able to understand its potential to amplify marginalised voices, while learning the policies governing online misinformation globally. Only when we learn to navigate the double-edged sword of social media, can we truly use it to incite meaningful change.