#Hashtivism

Steve Prongay

CAS 283 Section 004

October 3, 2014

Hashtivism

            In this day and age, Social Networking has totally taken over the lives of many people.  For some people, they cannot go a full day, let alone five minutes, without clicking the Twitter/Facebook/Instagram etc. application on their smart phone.  Something relatively new that has developed with the popularity of Social Networking is this idea of Hashtivism.  Hashtivism is indeed an idea because it has yet to be defined, however, because of how popular it has become, it will be added to the dictionary someday soon. I would define hashtivism like this – the use of hashtags on social media to express and promote a political, social, sport, etc. position.

A term that I would say is similar is called hacktivism.  Hacktivism can be defined as the use of computers and computer networks to promote political ends, chiefly free speech, human rights, and information ethics.  This definition is extremely similar to my definition of hashtivism mainly because it’s the expression and promotion of information.  Hashtivism, I would say, is the new and improved version of hacktivism, because hashtags are the new way to promote current events. 

Hashtivism started mainly being used by Social Networking enthusiasts, reporters, political figures, and so on.  However, everyone no matter the age is now using hashtags.  My aunt, who is 57 years old, started using hashtags the other day on a photo of my newborn cousin.  Personally, I do not think she understands the meaning of hashtags or the importance, but I do believe that she started using hashtags because everyone else is and it is the new “thing” to do.  Hashtags have come a long way now, as I stated, because it is used by people that really have no clue why they are doing it, which is why I think that hashtivism has brought social change.

This past summer, there was a breakout for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.  For those of you that do not know ALS is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.  The idea of the challenge is to dump a bucket of ice water over your head and “nominate” others to do the same, as a way of promoting the challenge (Vice).  This challenge gained its popularity with the help of hashtags.  There was a span of time in the summer when I could not go on my Facebook profile without seeing the Ice Bucket Challenge videos.  Some of them were funny, some of them were better than others, and the best yet - some of them were very touching.  This challenge spread throughout the country so people that have ALS participated in the challenge and told their stories. 

There are both good and bad to hashtags.  Some hashtags can be hurtful and degrading, however, for the most part I do not see the down side in hashtivism.  It is a unique way for people to express their feelings and get their voices heard by people all around the world.  Hashtags can be controversial, but in todays world that is not a bad thing.  Controversy and fighting for what you believe in is extremely beneficial.  At the end of the day, hashtivism does create social change, and it broadens the horizons for people over social media.  It creates conversation, and it is a great way to #express and #promote your views for the world to see.