Social media and digital technology for grassroots action

dbunton

Being a part of the change!

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• digital democracy
• social media

Understanding and breaking down cultural barriers has become so much easier with the use of digital and social media technology. Fans from around the world can download and play their favorite band’s latest music or videos. News stories spread quickly, and revolutions are started with the post of a status. The ability to disseminate information to the masses in an incredibly short amount of time, and the presence of global corporations on sites like Facebook, is evidence of the effectiveness of social media marketing. In the same sense, global campaigns for change can be effective.

Digital and social media enables us to initiate cross-cultural exchanges via communication, which ultimately opens the door for dialogue and positive interaction between persons within and from different societies. Many individuals, civic organizations, and independent artists and labels in the US share their projects and establish contact with fans from around the world, including the Middle East, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Perhaps social and digital media is a medium for human rights and social justice. Maybe media devices can remain friendly and at affordable costs to general users. The creative innovations in social media technology are helping people stay in touch. They can also aid nationals in creating democracies. In the midst of utilizing such products, it is important to incorporate holistic methods to balance our reliance on these devices. Things to consider include; carefully and diplomatically selecting appropriate and healthy environments from which to harvest ingredients/minerals, fair labor practices for mining and manufacturing, accountability and ethical issues associated with conflict minerals regulations. Quality control, community development, and human empowerment must remain a priori. Enoughproject.org provides a list of "Conflict Minerals Free" corporations such as Dell, HP, and Sony and their level of participation in supporting conflict free policy.

Digital Media as a tool to influence change, create democracies, and advance human rights, is an ever evolving science in modern technology, as is the homeostasis of modern day human rights to humanity.