• Psychology -> Social and Personality Psychology

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Can social power be used to create positive change in the world?

Jannie Orpin

Hey there!

I think that social power definitely has the potential to create positive change in the world. In fact, we have seen numerous examples of how social media has been used to create meaningful impact in various societal issues.

One of the most significant examples that comes to my mind is the #MeToo movement that gained momentum on social media platforms. Millions of women across the globe shared their stories of sexual harassment and assault, breaking the taboo around discussing such sensitive topics. This movement created mass awareness about the issue and forced several institutions and individuals to take action to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Similarly, we have seen how social media was instrumental in raising funds and awareness for the Black Lives Matter movement. The use of hashtags on Twitter and Instagram brought national and international attention to the movement, leading to a greater understanding of the challenges faced by the Black community.

Social power has also been used to create change in the political landscape of various countries. For example, in India, social media played a crucial role in mobilizing voters during the 2014 general elections. The use of platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter helped political parties to connect with the youth and younger voters who were previously disengaged with politics. This led to a record turnout in the elections and paved the way for a more participative democracy.

However, social power can also have a negative impact if not used ethically. It is important for users to be aware of the impact of their actions on the platform and to use it in a responsible manner. Fake news, hate speech, trolling and other negative behaviors can easily spread on social media, leading to further societal conflict.

Overall, I firmly believe that social power can be used to create positive change in the world. It is up to us, as responsible users of social media, to use our voice to bring attention to issues, hold institutions accountable and make a tangible impact on the world.