Why Social Media Activism (read: Twitter Feminism) is key to the fourth wave of FEMINISM?

[THREAD]

The accessibility, immediacy, reach of a wider audience and low costs have encouraged women to use social media to speak out against various gender-related issues.

When women started sharing their stories online, they were heard or read instantly by the online community. The interconnectedness enabled people to immediately spot patterns of sexual misconduct & violence all around the world, that cut across racial, ethnic & national divides.

This access to instant communication was not enjoyed by earlier generations who relied on word of mouth/media coverage, which meant that a lot of issues were rarely addressed.

If you're on TV news, you will discuss sexual violence, not everyday sexism. The Internet changed that.

What started with reporting sexual violence led to women utilizing the internet & social media platforms to draw attention to everyday sexism still experienced by us in all walks of life, at home, at the workplace, on the road, absolutely anywhere.

Everyday sexism is something women ignore because we have to.

But when shared online they form essential parts of larger conversations. They serve as evidence that what we face is not individual, but collective, that there are power structures in place that need to be addressed.

It is exactly what was revealed by the #MeToo movement in terms of sexual violence.

The internet helped foster a ‘call-out’ culture allowing sexual predators to be ‘called out’ and exposed.

The hashtag created a space for victims to share their experiences.

The solidarity that the hashtag movement saw globally revealed the ubiquity and pervasiveness of the sexual misconduct of men.

It revealed that sexual violence against women is not just personal, but structural. It is not just one incident but rather a well-oiled system.

Apart from enabling conversations that women across sections can identify with, online activism can be seen as a way to subvert patriarchal structures in a space where the body is not immediately seen & one’s voice can be heard. That's a big problem women face - not being heard.

But is the internet really a safe space?

A 2018 study by Mendes, K., Ringrose, J. & Keller, J. published in European Journal of Women’s Studies examined it specifically for Twitter:

#MeToo & the promise and pitfalls of challenging rape culture through digital feminist activism.

They explored the emotional toll and the unpaid
labour of online campaigns like #MeToo & #BeenRapedNeverReported.

The findings revealed that 72% of the respondents have experienced trolling, online abuse or hostility after sharing their experiences online.

They conclude: Aside from celebrated statements of defiance valorised by the media with cases such as #MeToo , more hidden are emotional, mental or practical factors which make engaging in digital feminist activism risky, exhausting, draining & overwhelming, depending on context.

The participants however still viewed Twitter as a safer & easier space for engaging in feminist activities.

Think about this: 72% experienced trolling and online abuse and women still view it as a safe space?

How unsafe do women feel in real life that 72% is a good deal?

Can men even imagine that amount of fear or desperation ever? I think not. Shaming feminists on Twitter is easy.

But women are just taking advantage of our technology to talk about our issues & seek change. How is it different from political activism? Should that be shamed too?