Collective Action 2.0

Chapter 10

Sharing Is Caring? Social Media and Demobilization

Abstract

Mobilizing individuals and/or collectives to participate is one of the central concerns and challenges facing collective action and social movement activists. Although social media often support mobilization, they also bring about demobilization. Such forms of demobilization are also known as slacktivism and, to a certain extent, clicktivism. Not only slacktivism, but also the structural elements of social media platforms are factors that encourage demobilization.

Keywords

Clicktivism; Demobilization; Mobilization; Slacktivism; Social media

Contents

10.1 A Long Tail of Slacktivism

10.2 Demobilization and the Structural Elements of Social Media

10.3 Sharing Is Caring? Conclusions ...