The first form of social media was invented in 1997 as a communication tool– much like email– but by the early 2000s, MySpace emerged and social media became a tool for entertainment, marketing, education, news, and even activism. Over the past two decades, apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have sparked several influential movements including #MeToo, #BringBackOurGirls, #FridaysForFuture, and #BlackLivesMatter. While each platform differs in style and algorithm, they are all meant to promote digital socialization by gathering your personal information and using it to connect you with similar people and products. This can dramatically improve social awareness within international communities to such degrees that some of the most high-profile cases solved by law enforcement were only taken seriously due to public outrage sparked through social platforms.
Historically, information as explicit as an individual’s thoughts and emotions were preserved only through written records, leaving archaeologists to painstakingly piece together fragmented texts in order to get a comprehensive understanding of the political landscape at the time. In 2024, the genocide and famine in Palestine were declared among the worst humanitarian crises in the world, largely due to the live images of people’s final moments broadcasted across social media. This digital documentation has played an integral role in pressuring international communities to condemn the Israeli government, ultimately leading to the arrest warrants of both the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and former minister of defence Yoav Gallant issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In October 2023, 22-year-old journalism student Plestia Alaqad went from posting aesthetic photos of her trips to Cyprus to documenting the final moments of her friends in Gaza. Instagram became the weapon she used to reveal the truth behind the apartheid wall, posting videos of the exact moments she evacuated each of the alleged safety zones, which were later bombed by Israel. After noticing a trend of censorship suppressing graphic content, she decided to shift her focus to capturing the beauty of Gaza— the home she knows and loves. The work of many young journalists like her, shattered distorted Western perceptions of Palestinians. Despite the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, social media has led to a dramatic reduction in the dehumanization of Palestinians in the West, by revealing the truth behind Israel’s settler-colonial occupation, largely funded by the U.S.
The power of live-streaming on platforms like Instagram and TikTok allowed regular citizens of Gaza like Alaqad to provide real-time uncensored accounts of what was happening on the ground without the need for professional equipment. Her unique ability to capture the beauty of Gaza along with the pain of the genocide resulted in many global protests featuring millions of participants across the globe.Nawfal Emad – Argosy Photographer
Many describe online activism as performative without recognizing social media’s rich history in driving real change. While performative activism and social media activism may look similar, we asked Alaqad what sets them apart: “The key difference is commitment and genuineness. Real activism continues beyond trends and remains consistent, even when it’s no longer ‘popular’ to speak up.” Social media activism— depending on where you are— can come with the risk of censorship, bans, and in extreme cases like that of student activist Mahmoud Khalil, threats of deportation.
At the end of October 2023, Israel decided to shut down all the borders before conducting multiple military operations which have reportedly taken at least 60,000 lives and destroyed over $80 billion worth of property. During these brutal operations, international journalists were among the many commodities restricted from entering Gaza by the Israeli government, which was when Alaqad decided to risk her life by reporting live footage of the genocide in Gaza, from her eyes. When we asked her why she thought to report her experience in English in addition to Arabic she responded, “I’ve always prioritized reporting in English, especially since international journalists weren’t allowed in.” Understanding the influence that clear English communication has on Western media, she realized that cultural adaptation was key to her impact on the global online community: “I believe that the impact is always greater when you speak to people in their own language.” Alaqad’s decision to document Gaza’s agony in English was not just a linguistic choice, but a strategic act of resistance—using the language of power to shatter the silence of those who refused to listen.
Social media activism has given us a platform to force conversations that many would prefer to avoid at any given time– including at the most watched sporting event in the U.S. Earlier this year during the Super Bowl halftime show, Zül-Qarnaįn Nantambu saw an opportunity to spread national awareness and ran across the field with the Palestinian and Sudanese flags, resulting in an aggressive arrest and subsequent lifetime ban from all future NFL games. Despite being heavily censored during the live show, he has since gained international recognition online. When speaking with The Argosy about the difference between performative activism and social media activism, Nantambu responded, “those truly passionate about a cause will take action in ways that reflect the risks they are willing to bear.” Instead of viewing the lifetime ban as a consequence, he perceives it as a badge of honour and believes that the NFL will eventually gain clarity on the situation and lift the ban. By turning his punishment into a symbol of defiance, Nantambu demonstrates that true activism is not measured by acceptance or validation but by the willingness to confront injustice at any cost. Resistance may vary by environment, but true commitment is reflected in the risks people are willing to take. True resistance demands courage, and real activists understand that taking risks is not just a sacrifice but a weapon against oppression.
To us, Instagram and TikTok are apps we use to pass the time but for millions of Palestinians like Plestia, it was their lifeline. Alaqad’s last moments in Gaza, still up on Instagram, are an incredible example of the power that social media holds within our generation. After gaining an understanding of the trends, tools, and features present within social media, any individual—regardless of race, class, or age—holds the power of real-life change in their hands. While Mt. A has failed to denounce the genocide in Gaza, journalists like Alaqad are ensuring that the truth reaches the world— making it only a matter of time before the top educational institutions in Canada can no longer remain silent. The social revolution is upon us, will you be an activist or merely a spectator?
