On Tuesday evening, Dr. Mary Gallagher came to Hamilton to give a lecture on the current state of censorship in China. Her talk focused on contemporary efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to repress alternative and competing political ideologies, and the challenge of effectively implementing targeted repression given the expansion of social media. One interesting point she made is that the Chinese government tolerates debate, discussion, and even criticism on social media outlets, but focuses its censorship efforts on quelling mass mobilization behind a certain cause. These efforts to stifle mobilization point to the potential of social media to enact political change, and also emphasize the responsibility of those who enjoy unrestricted internet to take their online activism further than reposts and hashtags.

All too often, a shared grievance voiced on social media can become contagious enough to fill our newsfeeds but not enough to inspire true mobilization behind the issue. Even in the cases where a social media trend does gain a significant following, the issue disappears from internet forums within a week if it is not backed by organized action. Currently, the #metoo hashtag circulating on Twitter and Facebook is at risk of such a fate. The hashtag has been shared over 200,000 times within the last two days and is meant to reveal the magnitude of sexual assault against women around the world. While this goal is undoubtedly valiant, this awareness campaign is at risk of becoming obsolete just as quickly as it spread if online activists do not harness the potential of social media to mobilize users to push for practical — and often local — legislative sexual assault prevention measures.

Social media does not only pose a challenge to authoritarian regimes, but to democratic governments who must respond to the grievances of constituents, especially those that are backed by mass followings. A widespread awareness campaign on social media outlets is just the first step in igniting meaningful change around the issue. Without the second step of legitimate, tangible action, these awareness campaigns wither and eventually disappear. If you care about an issue, find ways to take action, rather than simply complain on Facebook or Twitter.