Social Media Politicised

Social media platforms have served as venues for political engagement and social activism for many years, especially for Black Americans

This was evident especially in 2020, when the killing of an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, by a white Minneapolis police officer resulted in widespread protests that demonstrated the reach and power of these platforms

Research shows that Black social media users have been particularly likely to say these sites are personally important for getting involved with issues they care about or finding like-minded people. These platforms also hold people accountable for their actions and gives a voice to underrepresented groups. The online community known as Black Twitter has been using these platforms to collectively organise, offer support and increase visibility online of black people and issues that matter to them.

The impact of social media was felt after instances such as the killing of Eric Garner and Freddie Gray at the hands of police in 2014 & 2015.

• Research shows that supporters of the activism movement used Twitter specifically to share breaking news, circulate images and engage with news stories about corresponding protests
• Through social media, the #BLM protests spread globally, with massive protests in the UK, Europe, and Canada
• The movement included many people of diverse backgrounds, who had previously not felt connected to the cause, including New Zealanders

Black social media users are often more likely than their counterparts from some other racial and ethnic backgrounds to engage in different types of political activities on social media and to believe these activities are more effective.

Though online conversations about racial injustice and race relations seem to peak along with race-related events in national news, a study from 2016 found that race-related posts on Twitter are always happening and span a variety of subjects, including social activism, pop culture and personal experiences.

Work from other researchers suggests that social media benefit marginalized populations - by both leveling the playing field and allowing people from these groups to pursue social change. It also suggests that today's youth are particularly drawn toward "digitally-enabled and cause-based" activism.