Activists will always be looking for new methods to spread the word concerning their desired cause. No more is it enough to merely chat with strangers about the issues while they walk beyond the signs around the city streets. Activists have for ages been trying to use the internet to distribute the word of their causes, as well as with Facebook along with other social networks turning out to be nearly ubiquitous, this has become increasingly simple. Nevertheless, despite how easy it is for these actions to get going, not everyone finds out what they’re doing. If this is the case, it is actually hard to observe how an activist who starts an avatar movement can really really make a difference for that cause that they’re attempting to support.
Changing your avatar, but have you any idea why?
Among the new “fads” connected with online activism would be to improve your avatar, whether it be on Facebook or perhaps in one of any number of online avatar games to some specific themed picture. Those that modify their avatars with a picture matching the style are exhibiting their support for a particular cause. For instance, in late 2010, a lot of Facebook users began modifying their avatars to be their favorite cartoon characters.
A lot of who did this failed to even realize they were supporting a cause – they only thought that people were doing a thing cool because it’s what a lot of their buddies were doing. In reality, the “change your picture to your favorite cartoon character” activity was started to help indicate support regarding victims associated with child abuse.
Really does this type of activism work?
Although an estimated 150,000 Facebook users changed their avatars with their favorite cartoon characters, many were skeptical concerning the whole movement. After all, what help did the actual survivors of child abuse acquire from all these transformed avatars? Unless of course a motion actually helps make something happen, it is not very useful, regardless of how many people took part in.
Nonetheless, further studies have shown that this activity was not entirely useless. Charities which are involved with the survivors regarding child abuse indicated that they had a rise in contributions during this movements. Though it was not a massive increase, any small amount helps, as well as the activity clearly did good quality.
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