Hashtag activism

A hashtag on a protest placard in 2019

Hashtag activism refers to the use of social media hashtags for Internet activism.[1] The hashtag has become one of the many ways that social media contributes to civic engagement and social movements.[2] The use of the hashtag on social media provides users with an opportunity to share information and opinions about social issues in a way that others (followers) can interact and engage as part of a larger conversation with the potential to create change.[3] The hashtag itself consists of a word or phrase that is connected to a social or political issue, and fosters a place where discourse can occur.[4] Social media provides an important platform for historically marginalized populations. Through the use of hashtags these groups are able to communicate, mobilize, and advocate for issues less visible to the mainstream.[5]

Supporters of the power of hashtag activism believe that it allows users to connect with individuals from all over the world and share information quickly. Critics, on the other hand, doubt that hashtag activism leads to real change, as users are simply indicating that they care enough to post a hashtag, rather than taking practical action to make a difference.[6][1]

  1. ^ a b "#Feminism". Sage Knowledge. 2015. doi:10.4135/9781473945562.
  2. ^ Humphreys, Ashlee (2016). Social media : enduring principles. Oxford. ISBN 978-0-19-932843-7. OCLC 908698924.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ Mann, Alana (2017-12-22), "Hashtag activism and the right to food in Australia", Digital Food Activism, Routledge, pp. 168–184, doi:10.4324/9781315109930-9, ISBN 9781315109930, retrieved 2022-03-06
  4. ^ "Spreading Feminism Online", Weibo Feminism, Bloomsbury Academic, 2022, doi:10.5040/9781350231528.ch-002, ISBN 978-1-3502-3152-8, S2CID 247044502, retrieved 2022-03-06
  5. ^ Maples, Carol J. (2008). Giving voice: the use of interactive theatre as professional development in higher education to reduce alienation of marginalized groups (Thesis). University of Missouri Libraries. doi:10.32469/10355/5506. hdl:10355/5506.
  6. ^ "New York Times 'Science Times' continues its focus on scientific publishing and open access". Physics Today. 2012-01-27. doi:10.1063/pt.4.0206. ISSN 1945-0699.