Slacktivism: Why Your Instagram Repost is Not Enough

Courtesy of  Living for Justice

By TANIA LUCHAK ‘25

In today’s digital age, as we casually scroll through our Instagram feeds, and Twitter or even dive into TikTok’s latest trends, we encounter vast amounts of information about worldwide conflicts. Thousands of users discuss the Israel-Hamas war daily, sharing posts, videos and commentaries. Yet, with such abundant information comes a plethora of perspectives —often leading our opinions to become indistinct and diluted.

We are challenged to discern propaganda from the truth and filter accurate information from fabrication. In this swirl of data, it’s easy to become oblivious marionettes, tugged by the strings of dominant narratives while sidelining the voices that may bear the purest truths. 

At the heart of this digital complexity lies the algorithms powering these platforms. They note our interactions, tailoring content that echoes our biases, thus perpetuating a feedback loop. This system that we trust so much intentionally intensifies our polarization.

However, it’s crucial to note that polarization and biases aren’t solely the creation of these algorithms. Recent studies published in the journal Science have questioned whether altering such algorithms would genuinely decrease polarization. Despite the study’s limitations, it suggests that our existing biases might have deep roots beyond social media influence. This makes our self-awareness and critical analysis even more paramount within our analysis of global events.

The pressure to form an opinion — and swiftly — is overwhelming. The modern world often demands we choose a side, and, once chosen, firmly plant our flag. We display our solidarity by changing our profile photos to the flag of the country we support, reposting and leaving links to donate. By no means, I do not oppose that; I do this myself. As a Ukrainian, I feel a duty to share about grievances that my people experience and make sure that my voice is heard. However, I often overlook the fact that advocacy comes beyond social media. 

It also comes with going to a protest, reading a book or volunteering for a nonprofit. It comes with watching a historical movie, donating to a local organization or researching yourself. Yes, it is undeniably important to raise awareness in an online space, but it should not be a limiting factor in building our understanding. Perhaps, it is more time-consuming, but its efficacy is sometimes greater in comparison with solely reading what social media has to offer. 

Social media undoubtedly wields immense power in uniting people around important causes, such as during the Arab Spring. This wave of uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa became well-known around the world thanks to social media. However, it’s essential to recognize that it serves as a facilitator rather than the sole tool for activism. The true power of social media extends beyond its framework, but we tend to overlook that.

These platforms simplify the process of donating, organizing protests, conducting research and discovering emerging influencers. They act as tools in our hands, not as the ultimate source of knowledge and truth. 

A striking report from the Reuters Institute highlights that 30% of people around the world primarily source their news from social media. A staggering one-third of the population entrusts their worldview to platforms known for bias reinforcement.

We need to be more critical about finding the truth, and that means going beyond social media. The nuance we can find through exploring platforms cannot be achieved through social media alone. Taking a stance requires background knowledge; without it, we can’t confidently stand by our views. 

The Israel-Hamas war, like many other global crises, contains a lot of misinformation on both sides. Distinguishing fact and fiction becomes a difficult task. However, with a commitment to robust media literacy and an acknowledgment of the potential fallaciousness of our own beliefs, it’s possible to come closer to the truth that we all passionately seek. The power of social media, with all its complexities and influences, remains a force to be reckoned with, but the path to understanding demands a broader journey that extends beyond its confines.