MeToo- How Hashtag activism is changing activism

Hashtag activism has become a beginning place for activism and is a key way for audiences to connect and become involved and participate in movements no matter their geographical location. I would argue that there are both advantages and disadvantages to using the internet to highlight issues in the world. Many people may assume that by ‘liking’ or ‘re-tweeting’ that they have done their bit for that particular movement and will not advance the cause by going to protests or enacting change outside of the internet.  However, education in issues is half the battle, and I think the more people that are educated, through whatever method this may be is an advancement and this is where social media I feel has made an impact.

“Tweeting once using a campaign hashtag, signing an online petition or changing a user icon in solidarity can demonstrate engagement with the issue or movement, but not necessarily ongoing activism” (Highfield:98)

#MeToo campaign was started in 2017 when celebrity Alyssa Milano tweeted asking anyone who had been sexually harassed or assaulted to reply to the tweet with ‘me too’. This movement not only captured the world but enacted real change. Twitter confirmed in 2017 that within a week of the tweet not only was it tweeted over 1.7 million times, but that it had been reached by at least 85 countries (had over 1000 tweets). Vaidhyanathan (2018) stated that “Facebook does amplify activism” and in this case this is true. Facebook also confirmed that within less than 24 hours there were more than 12 million posts, comments, and reactions regarding the #MeToo campaign by 4.7 million users across the globe. This shows that a high number of people were able to engage in this social movement within a week of its birth.

As the hashtag enabled many people to become involved in the movement, it was able to implement real change. 300 plus actresses, directors and writers launched a ‘Times Up’ movement that raised $22 million within the first month, this was put towards the #MeToo cause. A lot of this money was used to fund legal assistance for the victims that had identified themselves through this movement from suffering sexual violence or misconduct. Not only did this help financially, but it also was proven that there was a 23 percent rise in the use of rape, abuse and incest hotline from October 2017. (BBC 2018)

“a personalised frame such as #MeToo enabled a great many people to connect with its underlying concept of sexual harassment” (Meikle, G)

The #MeToo movement was also able to enact change to legislation globally. France has since introduced fines and prison for upskirting and catcalling as well as fines for work pay discrimination. Furthermore, the UK Government now requires all companies with 250 or more employees to report their gender pay gap.

Research has also highlighted a differing change in attitudes, that over half of women aged 18-34 and 58% of young men are more likely to challenge behaviour that they deem inappropriate or sexist. (Fawcett Society 2018) This not only shows that social media has impacted social change in the government and legislation but has also enacted change on a more personal basis and has helped in changing mindsets to defend each other and promote equality.

Although many changes have been implemented as a result, there are still many obstacles that the #MeToo campaign did not change or improve. For example, US president Donald Trump supported Brett Kavanaugh and denigrated Dr. Christine Ford. This not only shows that sexism is prevalent in everyday life but in politics also. This can be seen further by looking at statistics in the workplace, 9 out of 10 women in UK companies are paid less than men; big digital companies are the worst for this. Google’s “female employees mean hourly rate is 17 percent lower than mens” and “just 22 percent of their highest paid staff are women”. (NS Tech 2018). Despite this, social media has enabled the #MeToo campaign to create many lasting changes, therefore making the campaign significant, effective and impactful.

Bibliography:

Highfield, T (2016) Social media and everyday politics Cambridge: Polity Press

Meikle, G (2018) The Routledge companion to media and activism London: Routledge

Vaidhyanathan, S (2018) Antisocial media: How Facebook Disconnects us and undermines democracy Oxford: Oxford University Press