Question 1: New Civic Activities
Since the pandemic has struck, can you think of new “civic activities” that have arisen? What are they? What are the civic commonplaces that they embody?
Since the pandemic struck, young individuals have been missing out on critical civic development both in school and through local organizations. As a result, social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have stepped up to fill this gap, offering a new space for young people to learn about the world around them and their civic duties. Personally, I have found Instagram infographics to be an incredible source of information while being stuck at home during the pandemic. Some Instagram accounts that I have found very informational, include
- This account has helped me stay up to date with current social issues around the world. Each week, the creator posts “What’s Happening Around the World: A News Update.”
- She used to frequently post “Good News!” each Sunday, which honestly was my favorite of her posts. It was nice to hear about the good things happening around the world. However, it doesn’t seem like she has made one of these posts since October.
- I think she does a great job at breaking down complicated topics to make them easier to understand for everyone, no matter their educational background or learning capabilities.
- This account’s mission is to provide information on intersectional feminism and environmentalism. Through each post, they allow their viewers to truly reflect upon the current state of our world, and encourage us to make change for a better society and a happy future.
Impact and Environment by Impact
- These are accounts that are dedicated to sharing up-to-date information on climate and culture. They aim to educate young people on complex political issues, as well as provide content on the intersection of pop culture and social justice. Their poss are carefully crafted, indicating a genuine desire to make a positive impact among the younger generations.
Each of these accounts also encourage their viewers to take civic action. For example, many accounts have petitions linked in their bios, as well as the links to check your voter registration statue and links to register to vote. I think this is very impactful that they promote these civic activities.
Disclaimer: You do always need to be cautious and mindful of the sources you are reading to make sure they are truly reliable.
Overall, I feel like social media has taught me to conduct my own research and learn more about what’s going on around me. Therefore, I strongly believe that social media has emerged as a new form of “civic activity” for many young people.