
The Dynamics of Digital Activism: Social Change and Participation in the Internet Age
Chapter from the book:
Özaydın,
H.
(ed.)
2025.
Digital Communication: Technology And Interaction .
Synopsis
Internet and social media have become essential communication channels for human rights advocacy and anti-war movements today. In environments where traditional means of communication may be limited and geographic boundaries pose obstacles, digital platforms offer rapid and wide-reaching access. This enables civil society actors, scholars, journalists, and individuals to share events instantly, validate each other’s experiences through mutual verification, and build a global solidarity network. Digital tools go beyond accelerating information flow; through channel management, they help disseminate the movement’s message in a steady and consistent manner. Visuals, videos, and texts create emotional connections, trigger empathy, and deepen social awareness. Hashtag campaigns and online petition efforts increase visibility, directing public attention to specific issues; this creates potential to influence political and humanitarian decision-makers and processes. Additionally, digital environments provide security and anonymity options, allowing threatened groups to raise their voices. On the other hand, risks such as misinformation, manipulation, and online harassment can grow, undermining the credibility and safety of movements. Therefore, ethical principles, information verification processes, and media literacy are crucial for the reliability and sustainability of digital activism. A stable and responsible approach to digital activism forms the foundation for real-world solidarity and tangible change. The study focuses on the strengthened participation and inclusivity of social networks with digital activism, rapid pressure mechanisms, security and ethical balance challenges, and the transformation of technology. It emphasizes the role of social networks in enabling successful digital activism through examples, illustrating how digital technology can drive changes in civil society movements and how important the interaction with the online network is for social impact.