Using Social Media to Make a Difference

Social media continues to grow as millions of users check Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and more each day.  Though people have brought up many negatives about the growing expanse of social media, one huge positive is that some people are using it for social change.  Last week in my class we played The ReDistricting Game (click here to play).  Brought to you by the USC Game Innovation Lab, the online game allows users to take a hands-on approach to learning about active citizenship and politics.  Many other online games were created to engage and inform people.  These mediums are important because so many people are online for many hours of the day, yet they still need to be informed about global and national issues.  In addition to games that educate players on current issues, other social media sites can be used as a platform for education.

Social media is not only used in relation to current issues, but people are also using social media to further causes.  I recently took part in the Harvard relay team challenge through Swim Across America, a non-profit organization that raises money for cancer research.  Most people on my college swim team took part in the event and pledged to raise money.  Within days of signing up, posts on both Facebook and Twitter started popping up regarding the swim.

The organization even has their own Facebook page to generate buzz and raise awareness. Using social media does work.  Both people whose posts I used went beyond the fundraising minimum (one even raised more than $1000).  Social media gives people easy access to causes.  College students, a group that widely uses Facebook, may not have a lot of money, but if 10 people give $10 that's $100 right there.  Adults are also a growing demographic on social media sites and they may have more money to donate.  Social media allows you to reach people all over the country and to really spread the word about your favorite cause.  I am excited that so many people were able to use social media to promote Swim Across America and I look forward to future directions social media can take to create change, both with current social issues and worthy causes.

Sources: redistrictinggame.org, twitter.com, Facebook.com