Tens of millions of social media users have shared an "All eyes on Rafah" image, drawing attention to the mounting civilian death toll as a result of Israel's assault on the Gazan city. The image's viral reach has revived debate around the effectiveness of politically charged hashtags and campaigns on social media, often derisively called "slacktivism."
Real-world action In addition to being a "bland, AI-generated" image rather than footage from the conflict, some pro-Palestinian activists noted with frustration that "All eyes on Rafah" came with "no call to action beyond 'pay attention' — no donation links, no details on how to help," said James Greig at Dazed. Movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter raised millions of pounds in funding after going viral, said the University of Sussex. But whether a short-term spotlight translates into "meaningful and lasting social change" is a question that "remains unsettled."
Impact A lot depends on the context. Resharing posts "might not count for much on its own," said Greig, but the "ubiquity" of the "All eyes on Rafah" image indicates a "shift in consensus" in the West. In a climate where "censorship and repression" of pro-Palestinian activism has been widespread, "we should welcome the movement becoming 'trendy,'" even in the "shallowest way possible."
Is all digital activism 'slacktivism'? Digital activism can mean many different things, Dr. Kelly Lewis, a research fellow at Monash University, Melbourne, said at The Conversation. Social media is undeniably a powerful tool for organizing real-world action, both literal — protests around the world are now largely coordinated online — and through building "collective networks of solidarity and resistance."
Pitfalls It's all too easy for "verified facts" and sensitive reporting to be drowned out by partisan "misinformation, political propaganda and irresponsible journalism" pumped out on social media and uncritically reshared by users, said Lewis. As demonstrated by incidents of Islamophobic, racist and antisemitic aggression around the world motivated by the conflict in Gaza, the circulation of propaganda that fans the flames of hatred on social media can have "disastrous consequences." |