Social Media Disruptions

By natmriggs
  • Hong Kong Protests

    Hong Kong Protests

    Platforms: Telegram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LIHKG (local media)
    Tactics: Encrypted messaging for coordination, memes as protest symbols, live-streaming marches and clashes.
    Why it matters: Demonstrated how decentralized digital organizing could sustain large-scale protests even under censorship.
  • Farmers’ Protests

    Farmers’ Protests

    Platforms: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp
    Tactics: Hashtags (#FarmersProtest), viral photos/videos, diaspora amplification worldwide.
    Why it matters: Became one of the largest protests in history, showing how social media connected local struggles to global solidarity.
  • End SARS Protests

    End SARS Protests

    Platforms: Twitter, Instagram
    Tactics: Hashtags like #EndSARS, sharing police brutality videos, crowdfunding bail/legal support via social platforms.
    Why it matters: Social media gave young Nigerians a powerful tool to mobilize against police violence and draw international attention.
  • Black Lives Matter Protest

    Black Lives Matter Protest

    Platforms: Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook
    Tactics: Viral hashtags, live streaming protests, mass sharing videos of police brutality
    Why It Matters: Social media amplified protests into a global movement, sparking demonstrations in over 60 countries.
  • Capitol Riot / January 6th Insurrection

    Capitol Riot / January 6th Insurrection

    Platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Parler, Telegram
    Tactics: Calls to action, sharing locations/times of rallies, spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories
    Why it matters: Showed how online organizing and misinformation could fuel real-world political violence.