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Have you ever felt really strongly about a social issue and wanted to make a big difference in the lives of others? Have you ever felt compassion for someone experiencing a hardship, and wanted to take steps to ensure that fewer people would suffer the same fate in the future? Have you wondered what one person could really do, or if they could even make a real difference?
Cyberactivism can be used as a tool to spread awareness, connect communities, and mobilize them to take meaningful action. However, as we learned from the Breast Cancer Meme, merely spreading awareness, does not necessarily produce meaningful results. Successful awareness campaigns move people to action based on the relevance and importance it has in their lives or the lives of those they love.
A call to action linked to a purpose that matters, moves users to action. Social media can be a useful tool to assist in this quest. Many social media users have accounts on several platforms. And many of them are a part of communities on each platform. Engagement within and across these communities can be used as a driving force to mobilize users for a common cause.
Activism that tugs at the “heart strings” of people, produces advocates that are more easily moved to action. Users with personal connections and experiences many times want to make a difference. They share a willingness to help and are supportive of fundraisers, and opportunities to volunteer. In many cases, at the very least, they are willing to share testimonials that move others to action simply by sharing their personal story.
This diffusion of information coupled with shared community goals, mobilizes groups, creating activism initiatives which are centered around a common cause. Sharing information, testimonials and user generated content strengthens the community and is an effective way to increase awareness and encourage others to join the cause. It moves others to action. creating a drive that results in successful initiatives. As people rally around a cause that it important to them, the cumulative community affect creates a willingness to do whatever is needed to make a difference in the lives of others. These communities come together and create a shared emotional connection which results a “get it done” attitude.
Susan G Komen Race for the Cure breast cancer awareness campaign is an example of successful community cyberactivism. https://www.komen.org/ She builds online communities through the sharing of user-generated content (UGC) of breast cancer survivors, their loved ones, friends and social media communities. The testimonials move users to become active participants; responding to calls to action (CTAs).
Race for the Cure campaign initiatives create opportunities to get involved; much more than posting random types of information that never move anyone to meaningful action. Even the name “Race for the Cure” depicts a level of urgency to mobilize and achieve common community goals. This campaign makes it easy to get involved and impact the lives of so many victims, and their families.
Awareness really does begin with a conversation of hope! As communities of users share engagement across social media platforms; awareness increases, and compassion grows. Collective ideas, sharing of experiences, and testimonials create a foundation to build upon. The campaign shines a guiding light down a path of engagement, involvement and activism; while strengthening emotional bonds and bringing courage and results to so many that really need it.
So yes, is the answer the questions I asked at the beginning. Yes, you can feel strongly about a social issue and make a difference in the lives of others. Yes, you can take steps to ensure that fewer people suffer the same fate in the future. And yes, one person can make a difference. Each person, one person at a time creates a community of people. We are educated through engagement with each other; and as a community, mobilize and make a difference in the lives of others; one action at a time, impacting one life at a time.
Will you join the conversation?
