Task 12

Task 13

Q1/ definition clicktivism

Clicktivism is an online form of participation to a cause that is made by a simple click. For
example, clicktivism is to share a video on social media to make people in your social media
circle aware of an issue, to send little money for a cause, or to retweet a petition on Twitter

Q2/ causes brought to social media

Causes such as the A.L.S. disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) research through the Ice
Bucket Challenge, support to Boko Haram victims (#bringourgirlsback), gun violence
(#NotOneMore), and segregation were brought to social media. It benefited greatly to the Lou
Gehrig’s disease research and raised over $200 million. However, it mostly provided visibility
to these causes and most of those online campaigns were not effective.

Q3/ comparison online activism and ground activism

The article raises the question of the real motivation of online activists. It shows that people’s
real motivations for taking online actions can be dubious and that they may only be following
a trend or want to feel better about themselves by doing something as easy as a click instead
of a more time-consuming involvement.
It is sometimes not seen as true involvement but much more as “to feel good about oneself
and impress one’s cyberbuddies.” (l. 35-36) It also explains that ground activism is more
effective as it not only raises awareness but also makes people actually come together for a
cause. Moreover, the multiplicity of these online causes makes it more difficult for them to be
visible. In comparison to ground activism, online activism is qualified as unreal and lazy in
the article, even if the journalist admits that it sometimes is helpful.
Task 14
PROS
 Most efficient way to spread the word =
more people can get involved + news
easily go viral on social media
 Gives access to people who normally
cannot help
 Gives visibility to causes that usually do
not have any
 Social media make it possible for
anyone to speak out = no matter where
you live or where you are from =
universal stage
 It takes very little effort / time to share a
news item online
 Allows organizations to collect money
very quickly and simply
 Social media have the power to bring
more people together = for example
demonstrations can be organized
overnight when the situation is
alarming.
 Videos and photos as an efficient way to
trigger reactions and raise awareness
 faster way and more impactful way to
sign petitions
 There is no censorship, and it is much
easier to get people's attention than in
traditional media.
CONS
 Trend phenomenon: people tend to
forget the cause very quickly after it
stops being a big hit
 There are so many online causes you
can easily get lost
 Raises the question of dubious
motivations: is it really to help out or is
it to feel better about oneself and draw
attention?
 Do people get to know the cause before
they react and share? = Some people
don’t even read the news items they
share
 People don’t do any fact-checking / risk
of fake-news = it can quickly get out of
hand 
 The social media as a communication
tool but not as efficient as actual
marches/protests = people find it more
difficult to measure the impact of their
actions on the internet  and likes and
hashtags do not result in change
 Online activism aims at a specific
audience : the youth = A large part of
human beings is excluded from social
networks and do not access information.
 Social media divide people by opposing
extremes; hatred always takes over
debate.