It started with so much promise. Kony 2012 united the youth of the world and encouraged them to bring about great social change. Their united voices could stop a corrupt, cruel war lord in Uganda, Africa. It spread over Facebook and took social media outlets by storm. It was all anyone was talking about on the Internet, with over 13 million views and this resulted in main stream media outlets picking up the story. A film that tugs at the heart strings is turning out to have feet of clay. The Globe and Mail delved into the story and found that Kony and the LRA haven't been a serious threat since late 2008. The Uganda government could have defeated this rebel group years ago but there is so much corruption within the hierarchy of their government nothing was done for years.
On a smaller note, social media was used in a positive way, which saved a young English boy's life. Luke was feeling suicidal and posted his unhappiness on Facebook, Tmblr and email. Most of the responses where hate fuelled and told him to go ahead and kill himself. One young viewer was deeply touched by the situation and from across the ocean set in motion a dramatic intervention. A Newmarket, Ontario girl, Paige, searched the Internet for clues about Luke's location and called a Police Station in Bath, England who sent an officer to Luke's home and he received the treatment and help he so desperately needed.
Two young people, a world away from one another built a social network, a sense of community and caring that saved a life. In the right hands social media can be used to build bridges and create a sense of community. It can bring about real social change. Without a filter, social media can unite citizens around the wrong cause. It is the viewer's responsibility to check the facts and make sure the cause is a worthwhile one.
I think your post is great and has really terrific examples. It is amazing how the impact of social media has brought about social change through all the events that occur in the world today. It really is food for thought when you see how much more involved people become when they read something on a social networking site and they just jump right in there and get involved. Social media is used in a positive way in most cases but some cases people assume social media will just give off a negative vibe. Like when the Iran elections happened and how someone got killed because a person thought the votes had been tampered with. It is just incredible how much social media will influence social change well into the future. As technology progresses social media will keep changing the way we view social change. All of these social networking sites bring people together and its amazing just how much people become involved when another country or person is in desperate need of help. Haiti was a great example where they were getting so much support from everywhere around the world. They used social media to their advantage i was just fascinated how involved people become with an issue through the impact of social media.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you brought up the fact about the boy Luke who was saved through social media. This proves the point even more that social media has and will continue to make a REAL change in our world. It is stories that this that truly show that social media brings forth a different kind of community that people would not experience otherwise. Social media is a great tool for people around the world to connect for a similar cause and these examples prove this.
ReplyDeletei agree with you. koney was brought to maney people over social media and the internet and brought many people togather to try and do something about it. it really was the talk that was going all around the internet many people stood up and spoke out on this because of how the video made them feel online.
ReplyDeletewwf uses this method all the time. they post problems that can be fixed over social media. build up a following group and get it done,
also really like how you used luke great example of how social media creates social change.