Connecting with causes
We are living in an age where social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have become an essential part of everyday life.
Many use these sites to meet new people, catch up with old buddies and even follow the latest news and updates. Also, making use of it big time are charities and social awareness campaigns.
It seems that many individual activists, non-profit foundations, companies with good ideas or passion for change in the world are using these sites as a platform to mobilise their network of friends to create change.
For example, the popular ‘Causes Application’ page on Facebook allows activists to create a page for a cause and invites their friends to support it.
Users can also update one another on media articles about a particular subject.
Recently, one saw the ‘Meter Jam’ campaign, where many youngsters got together to launch a strike against autorickshaws. The ‘I Paid A Bribe’ group has around 1,138 people following the group and actively taking part in discussions.
Smita, a professional, says that such initiatives are a great tool to grab the attention of the young.
“Social initiatives increase awareness and with the rise in the number of users online, they are a great way to reach out,” she adds.
Agrees Rangnath, another professional, “Majority of the youngsters are hooked to the Net and such sites provide a way for socially conscious individuals to get to know one another and promote a cause they are passionate about.”
Jyothi, a student, says that through such social groups, one can talk freely and address the issue in the hope of being heard. “I feel the ‘I Paid A Bribe’ group on Facebook and Twitter is a brilliant initiative. All of us talk about corruption and complain about Indian bureaucracy, but someone has already taken the initiative to do something about it. It’s really great. This way we can actually see how many of us feel the same way,” she adds.
Disagrees Sphoorti, a student, who says that there are very few initiatives which are actually interactive and people can look forward to solutions. “All the time we get invites to join or support the girl child, save the tiger campaign and it stops there. How far can they help us or bring in a big change in the society? For example the ‘Meter Jam’ campaign may not have been totally successful but it atleast had people getting out of their homes and not using the autos. Knowing about these issues is not enough, one has to actually come forward and do something about it,” she adds.