Gen Z Activism Online - The Rise of Digital First Movements on Climate , Gender and Social justice
Gen Z as fondly called, is the most unique and diverse generation, born into the time of significant digital transformation. Gen Zs are people born within the year 1996 and 2010. Having been born in the digital era, this generation has become one that uses the online platform for several forms of advocacy because this generation understands the value and relevance of digital technology.
Statistics show that for most online activism and matters of social justice, most participants are gen Zs compared to the millennials. For the generation that is branded as the lazy one that wants everything handed to them on a platter of gold, they are the most vocal and active generation when it comes to activism online to ensure change with regards to political, social, economic and cultural issues.
As a result of their constant online presence, many Gen Zs find it easy to advocate online first on whatever arising matters and all their active platforms.
Now, so many people wonder why a lot of Gen Zs are very much involved in activism now. This is because tools for change are now pretty much in their disposal; ranging from social media platforms to internet connections. But then, it is not just about the access to the internet, it is about the mindset, passion and drive for change.
This accessibility has made the first outlet for a drive to change the internet. Regardless of whatever social issue, the internet is always the first outlet for activism on climate issues, gender and social justice issues by the Gen Zs. Also, this article examines the ways which Gen Zs participate in activism on climate change, gender issues and social justice.
Alt: Woman Holding Smartphone.
Image Credit: FreePik
Ways Online Activism Has Effected Change by Digital First
A lot of times, online activism has brought about change in different aspects of life. Bringing social justice matters on social media first has caused greater revolution than any other form of activism. The reposts, comments, retweets and shares are means that have spread more awareness, evoked emotions in the mind of people and made them speak more on whatever issue is going on. Also, instead of waiting for institutions, organisations and formal bodies to speak on certain issues, going on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit has made educating and creating awareness on issues easier and faster.
Alt: Hand Typing on a Laptop with Social Media Icons
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The following are the most common ways in which activism is done online:
Creating Viral Hashtags
By creating hashtags in relation to the subject matter at hand, the hashtags are made viral and that way it circulates to different people far and wide. By doing this, activism is implemented digitally.
Active Story Telling
Story telling by shooting videos, making write ups, posts through powerful storytelling skills that describes the situation completely.
Online Campaigns that transition to Physical Protests.
Online campaigns and activism eventually lead to physical protests. For example, the EndSars campaign in Nigeria; it started as an online campaign against police brutality and it got spread across every state in the country till it became a physical campaign.
Petitions
Sending out petitions so people interested in the issue can also contribute is another common way in which activism is done online.
Livestreams
Making live videos on TikTok, Instagram etc when such an issue is going on to publicise it and gear people up.
Gen Z Activism on Climate Change
When it comes to climate change, Gen Z has been a driving force in the advocacy of climate change; a generation aware of its environment and ensuring the sustainability of it as well. The interaction of Gen Z with the issue of global warming has an emotional and action-taking aspect.
Research has revealed that the younger generation was the first to admit that they noticed climate-related content contents on the internet, became the most affected by it when feeling future anxiety (69 % of Gen Z social-media users as opposed to 46 % of Gen X), and engaged in activities like volunteering or protesting as a form of taking climate action.
The internet and digital platforms provide an opportunity for climate change activists to bring the effects of global warming closer to the people's hearts, showcase the injustices, and also rally support worldwide. Gen Z activism on climate change has also educated a lot of people about their environment, the effect of their actions on their environment on them. This has been done by creating powerful content, campaigns and movements via the various platforms; Greta Thunberg , a 2002 born started the Friday For Future movement to demand the government’s action on climate change and this has become a major trend globally.
Gen Z Activism on Gender and ******** Related Matters
When it comes to activism surrounding gender and ********* digitally, Gen Z has done a good job over the years. They understand the advantages of bringing these issues on social media applications e.g TikTok, X ,and Instagram. Because they have been born and raised in a technologically advanced era, the use of social media by them as both a means of self-expression and a way to enact social change is very natural.
The likes of #TransRightsAreHumanRights,#NotoChildMarriages have helped to raise the voices of those who are marginalized, to put the stereotypes of different genders into question, and to bring about a culture of consent and body autonomy.
These young people do away with the traditional ****** orientation and question it by being part of the community that embraces gender fluidity, inclusivity, and intersectionality which means they are acknowledging the impact of race, class, and ********* on people's lived experiences. Gen Z is the generation that fights for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in offline places by using the digital world to provide safety and community for them.
Movements such as #PrideOnline, #BlackTransLivesMatter are examples of the visibility, peer education, and institutional pressure Gen Z engages in to ensure that inclusive policies and representations are adopted.
Alt: Colorful Equal Rights Symbols.
Image Credit: FreePik
Gen Z Activism on Social Justice
For every viral trend on social media, demanding for change or fighting for a cause, it was most likely started by a Gen Zer. A generation that is passionate for change, against oppression, and actively involved in fighting for social change. Taking Nigeria as a case study, activism on ****** harassment, police brutality, violence against women, and child marriages was all started by a Gen Zer. These social issues are all prominent in all parts of the world , and this generation (Gen Z) has a voice to speak up against these issues which have been happening way before they were born.
Also, the digital world allows global consensus whereby one issue that started in one part of the world can gain traction in other countries.
Effects of Digital First Activism
Digital Activism has contributed significantly to social issues way beyond physical protests and traditional advocacy methods. It mostly begins and thrives more on social media platforms and it has become the first resort for a Gen Z trying to drive social change.
Global Visibility
As a result of the power of social media, the widespread of information and issues has been made easier. An issue may have started in Palestine and before the day comes to an end, it has circulated to another part of the world.
Amplification of Voices
Bringing matters to social media makes it easier for like minds to connect and spread awareness together to proffer solutions.
Active Participation
Social media brings full participation of people as long as it is a matter of sensitivity and emotions have been evoked.
Enforces Pressure on Policy Makers
As a result of the constant display and discussions on the internet about governmental bodies and policy makers on the specific subject matter, the policy makers are pressured to act right because all eyes are fixated on them. Case study is the EndSars situation in Nigeria, the police agency that were the major reason of the protests were eventually disbanded.
Conclusion
Gen Z's digital activism signifies a drastic shift from individual expression to collective action. They are using the combination of storytelling, technology and solidarity to establish the fight for gender and ****** rights, climate change and social change in the 21st century. Their activism goes far beyond mere hashtags; rather it redefines identity, policies and representation, thereby demonstrating that social media could be the first place where power, resistance, and identity re-creation begin.
