Monday 5 March 2012

Blog Posting #3


Blog Posting #3

Do you think that social media has the potential to bring about real social change?

Social media is absolutely able to bring about social change, and it has already proven to do so. One of the greatest advantages of social media is the ability for anyone anywhere to have a voice and use their voice to do good in the world. With the right person, and social media as a resource to spread information there is the ability to bring about social change regarding any issue.

Activists and advocacy groups are using social media to spread news around the world and to get people more involved. With social media they are able to not only make people aware of certain issues but they can also form protests, launch campaigns, start fundraisers etc.  An example of this is a social concern that happens everyday, bullying.

Mitchell Wilson, who had muscular dystrophy committed suicide on September 6, 2011 at the age of only 11. He was a local Pickering child, who was continuously bullied and was mugged by an older student from his school. His suicide was the result of bullying-and he has become the face of the anti-bullying movement. With the media regarding this case, Premier Dalton McGuinty had proposed new legislation that would expel bullies and press school boards to identify aggressive behavior early. In honour of Mitchell Wilson there were many YouTube videos raising awareness and allowing the story be told worldwide. The students across Pickering took a stand and launched an acceptance campaign called “I am who I am” raising $19,341.48 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. With thanks to social media websites such as Facebook, Youtube, news websites, Twitter etc people are taking a stand against bullying.

This is only one example of millions of ways people are utilizing social media to make a change in the world. Whether you are making small changes or big, social media is making an impact and will continue to do so. 

9 comments:

  1. Wow, I had no idea that an eleven year old committed suicide due to bullying. I agree that social media is changing and will continue to make social change. I believe that not only is social media able to make change but it is also the future of social change. Mitchell Wilson is a prime example of the fact that one person, although tragic, can make a social change by others using social media tools in his absence. Best wishes and love to his family...

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  3. I agree with your example of social media's ability to quickly spread information in regards to news. We've all seen recently that a piece of news can go viral in a matter of hours, specifically with causes such as SOPA or the Kony 2012 video. Regardless of a person’s standpoint on these issues, they become critical talking points across the world and are entirely reliant on social media for awareness.

    I also was unaware of the 11 year old who committed suicide. That is in and of itself is an example of how social media can spread information. I didn't know about that, and now I do.

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  4. I heard about that boy in Pickering, such a sad story. But I hadn't heard about the "I am who I am" campaign-that's great that other students have taken a stand against bullying and have raised so much money. With the help of social media websites like YouTube, Mitchell's story was able to to be told worldwide, and made millions more aware than would have just heard about the story on the local news or the local newspaper.

    However, internet bullying has become a very large issue. While social media can help such causes, it can also assist bullies in attacking their victim through Facebook, Twitter, etc. But, let's hope that bullying becomes a thing of the past, with the help of social media.

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  5. I agree 100% with everything you said. With the help of Social Media websites, other people's stories have been heard who would otherwise be left alone and ignored. People can definitely stand together to help others and I think that we have seen many examples of that throughout the last few years with Facebook & Twitter. I think what happened to that little boy is the most horrific thing, especially at the age of 11. But because of websites, people can now make a change to help other people that are in the same position as that young boy. Hopefully we can all come together to stop many issues and help stop bad things happening to people.

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  6. I agree with you for sure, social media is a powerful tool and your post is a perfect example. I've never heard of the example you mentioned before but I have heard of similar stories and it's absolutely horrible. Social media can be hurt or help a situation but often when something terrible such as this happens, society uses it to be helpful.

    Within hours Facebook and twitter can spread news and awareness like wild fire and it is amazing how fast this is done. It's great to see that so much money was raised for this cause and a new campaign was discovered. Hopefully as we move on and social media continues to grow more amazing things can happen using it.

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  7. I agree with you that this does help send a message and have people with same interests come together and have a voice for what they believe in. However, it can also do the exact opposite. Many people can bash other peoples opinions and create conflict regarding certain issues. But, as long as people are utilizing this for a positive change and to interact with others and spread awareness of ongoing issues.

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  8. I totally agree with you that social media can induce social change within society because of its power to be spread so quickly. The accessibility to social media also gives it many powers to help change. People don't want to feel left out and if the word about something gets out quite rapidly people will inquire or information will come to them. The example of the young student killing them self is an excellent example of social medias power and if my memory serves me correct their is a movie being made about it to help to spread more awareness.

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  9. I agree with you however do you think that while all these grass roots organizations fighting for awareness by taking to Facebook and Youtube is a good thing? I feel that were spreading the butter too thin and eventually the support will run out. Its like watching your first conspiracy documentary. after you watch a few you realize that there's one for everything.

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