In the wake of the U.S. election, my social media feed was flooded with reactions. Old classmates from my New Jersey high school shared Instagram Stories condemning Donald Trump, highlighting allegations against him, and denouncing his voters. These posts were swift and impassioned: An immediate outpouring of anger and grief. Yet, within 48 hours, the fervour had all but disappeared. No links to community organizations, no resources to turn outrage into action—just a digital silence.

This isn’t to say that social media activism lacks value. Social media is an incredible tool for spreading information, especially in moments of crisis. It can amplify marginalized voices, expose injustices, and mobilize movements. In 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement was fueled by the virality of posts educating people about systemic racism, police violence, and ways to support Black communities. Digital networks can be a powerful tool to galvanize the activism process. In community organizing, this notion is known as the ladder of engagement, where more and more people are encouraged by their peers to take on progressively greater action in pursuit of a goal. Social media is a new digital rung on the ladder that’s easier to reach than many offline alternatives. Additionally, platforms like Instagram and Xhelp shed light on conflicts and catastrophes that mainstream media often overlook. 

Cecilia Eu-ahsunthornwattana, U1 Arts, shared their thoughts on the role social media can play in spreading awareness.

“I learnt about a lot of causes or social issues that I wouldn’t have even heard about through social media,” Eu-ahsunthornwattana wrote to The Tribune. “A lot of them are subjects that I’m now more educated in and see the importance of, from hearing personal stories of other people and doing extra research.”

“There has never been a time before where information could be so wide spread, and I think being able to share on social media gets a population that may not have been educated on subjects involved,” wrote a student who wished to remain anonymous.

But there’s a darker side to this: Are we using social media to inform and create action, or are we simply signalling our moral alignment? After the election, many posts felt less like calls to action and more like declarations of group identity. Sharing a story condemning Trump wasn’t just about what the post said—it was about what it meant. These posts functioned as social signifiers, telling followers, I’m one of the good guys. I’m on your side.

This phenomenon isn’t unique to elections. Story posts often serve as a form of performative activism—symbolic gestures that communicate outrage or solidarity without necessarily leading to tangible change. A person might share an infographic or photograph but stop short of donating, volunteering, or organizing. 

The issue lies in the echo chamber of social media. We create online communities with people and perspectives that align with our own. When we post about activism, it’s likely that much of our audience already agrees with us. 

Soffia Gaw, U2 Arts, talked about the purpose of reposting in a written statement to The Tribune. 

“Rarely do I see a reposted political story not meant to display an overt message that is on behalf of the person reposting. I think those who repost aim to create greater knowledge for their audience while also re-establishing their position on the issue.”

Sharing a post is easy; taking meaningful action is harder. It takes more effort to attend a protest, contact elected officials, or engage in community organizing than it is to tap “share” on an infographic. This isn’t to diminish the importance of raising awareness—education is a critical first step in any movement. But if awareness isn’t followed by such efforts, what’s the point?

Activism requires more than just visibility—it requires action. Sharing a story is a start, but it shouldn’t be the end.