Social Media Awareness Dictionary

Slacktivism

Short Definition
Definition

Slacktivism has been defined as "the practice of supporting a political or social cause by means of the Internet or other electronic means, especially through social media, blogs, or online petitions, rather than more traditional routes such as face-to-face contact or volunteering" (Oxford Dictionaries, 2016). The term is a blend of the words "slacker" and "activism" and was coined in the early 2000s. Slacktivism is often criticized for being low-effort and having little impact; however, there are some examples of successful slacktivism campaigns. One example of a successful slacktivism campaign is #BlackLivesMatter. This campaign began on social media after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. The hashtag was used to draw attention to police brutality and racial injustice in the United States. The campaign quickly gained traction online, with celebrities and everyday people alike using the hashtag to voice their support. #BlackLivesMatter has been credited with raising awareness about these issues and sparking offline protests and activism. While slacktivism may not always be effective, it can be a useful tool for drawing attention to important issues. In the case of #BlackLivesMatter, it was successful in bringing about real change.

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