The nature and lifestyle of people in the world have been influenced by social networks. Recent developments in social networks include Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Communication of people has been made easy through the removal of communication barriers by social networks. According to Strain, information from any corner of the world can be found by a single click. He says “Can a click make a difference in the world? By itself, probably not, but when combined with tens and even hundreds of thousands of other clicks, it may just have an impact” (Strain).
Social networks distribute information rapidly due to many people using the same network around the globe. However, the accuracy of information depends on how people share information with relatives and friends. Accurate information helps create awareness among social network users. For example, YouTube has broadcasted a video about the Lord Resistance Army in Uganda. Many people and activists have raised their concerns after viewing that video. Therefore, social networks can effectively be used as a way to push for justice by activists for discriminated people in the world.
Social networks play several roles in the process of seeking justice by activists. The first role is the improvement of information mobility. When information is posted on a social network, it takes a few minutes to be spread all over the world. Here, communication barriers are removed from the path of communication delivery. For example, when the Japanese coast was suddenly hit by a tsunami, people used social networks to ask for help and inquire about the whereabouts of friends and relatives who had been affected by the tsunami.
The second role of social networks in activism and revolution is that it has increased the effectiveness of oral communication. For example, the recent revolution in Syria has been facilitated by effective oral communication by the rebel group through social networks. Information about the government has been spread to all the Syrian nationalists. Additionally, the effects of the revolution can also be communicated through social networks. Affected people share their experience about the revolution using the networks. The effects are real because they are communicated during the revolution. The US presidential campaign also used social networks for effective communication. Ben Rattray said, “If the Internet didn’t exist, Barrack Obama would not be president of the United States” (Rutledge).
The other role is to call for an immediate response since social networks share information very fast. Therefore, there is an immediate response from targeted individuals if called upon. This is important because it helps save a situation. For example, people around the world made donations to the victims of the Haiti tragedy immediately after it had happened. Also, social networks are used to schedule and coordinate revolutions by activists. During the 2011 revolution in Tunisia, an activist said, “We use Facebook to schedule the protests, Twitter to coordinate, and YouTube to tell the world” (Howard).
In conclusion, social networks are used to seek justice and advance a common goal. This is illustrated from the 2011 revolution in the Arab world. Social networks ensure that communication is done efficiently by reducing communication barriers. Information through social networks is shared among friends all over the world. Here, social networks are used to spearhead the objectives of a revolution through planning and coordination.
Works Cited
Howard, Paul. The Arab Uprising’s Cascading Effects. 2011. Web.
Rutledge, Brown. Four Ways Social Media is Redefining Activism. 2010. Web.
Strain, Christopher. A Different Type of Activism. 2012. Web.