Disruption Timeline

  • Black Lives Matter Protests (2020)

    Year(s): 2020–2021 Conflict: Global protests following the death of George Floyd. Primary Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Tactics: Use of hashtags such as #BlackLivesMatter and #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd to raise awareness. Livestreams of protests spread rapidly through TikTok and Instagram Stories. Twitter threads documented police actions and protest safety tips.
  • Capitol Riot / Stop the Steal (2021)

    Year(s): January 6, 2021 Conflict: Political unrest during the U.S. Capitol attack. Primary Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Parler, YouTube Tactics: Coordination through Facebook groups and encrypted apps. Viral misinformation videos on YouTube and Twitter are spreading election conspiracy theories. Real-time live streams from rioters on Facebook and Parler.
  • Russia–Ukraine War (2022–Present)

    Year(s): 2022–2024 Conflict: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Primary Social Media: Twitter (X), Telegram, TikTok, YouTube Tactics: Real-time updates from soldiers and civilians on TikTok (“TikTok War”). Ukraine’s government used Twitter for diplomatic communication. Misinformation campaigns tracked on Telegram.
  • Iranian Protests (Mahsa Amini Movement) (2022)

    Year(s): 2022–2023 Conflict: Nationwide protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini under Iran’s morality police. Primary Social Media: Twitter (X), Instagram, Telegram Tactics: Citizens shared videos bypassing state media censorship. Hashtags like #MahsaAmini and #WomenLifeFreedom went global. Anonymous accounts used VPNs to leak videos internationally.
  • Israel–Hamas Conflict (2023–2024)

    Year(s): 2023–2024 Conflict: Renewed conflict in Gaza and Israel. Primary Social Media: Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter) Tactics: Influencers and journalists shared firsthand footage via TikTok. Propaganda and disinformation heavily circulated on X. Hashtags and live content shaped global public opinion.