How Does Social Media Play a Role in Raising the Issue of Solidarity?
Media has long shaped public opinion and collective behavior, but in the digital era, social media has become one of the most influential platforms in fostering solidarity. Unlike traditional media, social media enables interactive engagement, emotional expression, and a wide spread of information, all of which contribute to collective awareness. As solidarity is a crucial element in uniting individuals for social causes, it is important to examine how social media facilitates it and where its limitations lie.
The media has always been central in raising social issues, but social media supports this process by allowing direct participation from individuals. It provides spaces for them to share stories, amplify marginalized voices, and create collective identities that support common issues. For example, movements like My Stealthy Freedom in Iran show how online spaces can create imagined solidarity, where people feel connected to a cause even without direct physical interaction. Social media thus serves as both a mirror and a motivator, shaping how solidarity is perceived and practiced.
How Social Media Facilitates Solidarity
Social media fosters solidarity by enabling rapid awareness, emotional connection, and organization of collective efforts. Hashtags, viral posts, and digital campaigns can mobilize support in ways traditional media cannot. Furthermore, global solidarity movements illustrate that social media allows activism to cross borders, creating new transnational advocacy networks. From climate activism to refugee support, digital platforms strengthen grassroots voices, but they also face challenges
Youth, Real-Life Application
Young people, in particular, are at the forefront of using social media for solidarity. In Indonesia, organizations like Indonesia untuk Kemanusiaan (IKa) have used digital campaigns to raise awareness and mobilize resources for gender-based violence issues. These cases highlight how online actions must be connected to offline engagement to sustain solidarity effectively.
As a Communication Science student, I believe it is important to recognize both the strengths and limitations of social media. While it is a powerful tool for mobilization and identity-building, its influence should be approached critically and strategically to avoid poor engagement. Logical and wise usage ensures that online solidarity translates into real, sustainable impact.
In conclusion, social media plays a vital role in raising the issue of solidarity by providing platforms for collective identity, emotional connection, and global mobilization. To maximize its benefits, users and activists must focus not only on visibility but also on meaningful participation that bridges digital and physical action.
References
Eni Maryani. (2018). Developing Social Solidarity through Digital Media. Jurnal Komunikasi Ikatan Sarjana Komunikasi Indonesia, 3(1). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323495449_Developing_Social_Solidarity_through_Digital_Media
The role of social media in shaping solidarity and compassion fade. (2018). New media & society. https://pure.rug.nl/ws/portalfiles/portal/76614172/1461444818760819.pdf
Schultze, U., & Stewart, M. (2019). Producing solidarity in social media activism: The case of My Stealthy Freedom. ResearchGate, 29(3). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333464651_Producing_solidarity_in_social_media_activism_The_case_of_My_Stealthy_Freedom
