With the emergence of the Internet and new media, this has greatly promoted the equal and rapid dissemination of information. At the same time, it also cultivates people’s participation and sharing spirit in the network. Therefore, many people think that it has the potential to promote citizens’ participation in politics, enhance the transparency of information and promote social democracy. However, the spread of new media has certain structural defects, and their focus is often on the so-called privileged class. In addition, there is also a well-known digital divide. Today I will discuss one of them——slacktivism.
The description of Slacktivism is the limitation of Internet’s role in political participation. In fact, the convenience of participation can not improve the quality of participation, and it may also have many adverse effects. The word Slacktivism also has many meanings. On the one hand, this concept has certain positive significance, aiming at advocating a low-cost and low-risk political participation activity. On the other hand, it also has many critical meanings, aiming at criticizing some online political participants who get illusory self-satisfaction through online participation. Although Slacktivism is a pessimistic argument, it has certain enlightening significance and existence basis. First of all, there is a serious disconnect between online behavior and offline action, and the initiatives of actors in the network may not affect the decision-making behavior of relevant political departments in reality at all. Secondly, the emergence of the Internet has changed the structure of social relations to a certain extent, but with the continuous improvement of Internet interactivity and connection technology, it will create an illusion for the public that social media can transform ideas into effective actions. At the same time, groups that conform to the label of Slacktivism generally have certain performance properties. Although the participants have a good original intention, in fact, they generally lack the enthusiasm for continuous promotion. If it is only for one’s own curiosity and vanity, the so-called political participation will become meaningless.
In fact, Slacktivism is not without its merits. Some interpretations of Slacktivism are also suspected of exaggeration. It is undeniable that these online and small political participation activities are in line with the current social development trend.These so-called “Slacker” spread information through their actions, and even their actions will make the political participation behavior become more life-oriented. We may be able to draw a conclusion that the significance of putting forward this concept is not simply to deny certain behavior, but to alert all stakeholders to better transform the actual benefits of citizen participation and better promote the solution of social problems on the basis of existing problems.
