Slacktivism occurs when people advocate a political or social cause using the Internet without lifting a finger in day to day life. It stems from the rise of social media with sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter acting as the primary vehicles for its upsurge. Though there are an overwhelming amount of negative connotations surrounding the idea of slacktivism, as sparked by criticism of global internet phenomenons such as the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Ice Bucket Challenge, the positive aspects of sharing or retweeting support for a cause are often overlooked.

First of all, awareness can be equally as valuable as donating one hundred dollars due to the positive repercussions. By spreading awareness, supposed slacktivists are quickly and conveniently providing people who have the means to help with the opportunity to do so. The Ice Bucket Challenge was ridiculed as a slacktivist trend because those who participated viewed it as a form of amusement rather than actually aiding the cause with a monetary contribution. However, people failed to look at the scenario holistically. ALS received national recognition, not because it asked for a fiscal donation but because it gave people who were unable to contribute to the cause in the standard ways an alternative method of giving back to the community. There were no financial or time-sensitive setbacks that would prevent sympathizers from taking part.

Similarly, with the events of Nov. 13, 2015, countless hashtags denoting prayer for the countries stricken by disaster were trending on platforms like Twitter. One popular hashtag, #porteouverte, allowed for the people of France suffering as a result of the militant group attacks to find refuge for the night with the help of their fellow Parisians. The world used so-called “slacktivism” to invoke social activism.

To those still skeptical of the proposed advantages of slacktivism, think back to all of the times when online exposure brought certain sensitive subjects into the limelight. For example, this past October, #istandwithAhmed overwhelmed social media, highlighting and openly targeting the growing issue of Islamophobia within the United States as a result of 9/11. Public figures like President Obama and Mark Zuckerberg reached out to Ahmed Mohamed through social media due to the recent outburst of online support.

The irony in this situation comes from the fact that the critics of slacktivism are slacktivists themselves, merely raising awareness of how others raise awareness for specific causes. Rather than condemning well-intentioned acts of people around them, cynics and skeptics should take a less hypocritical approach to rectifying the issue. The claimed “problem” with slacktivism is that it does not require much effort or active involvement from participants. However, in reality, slacktivism does have a resonating impact just waiting to be recognized. Because of slacktivism, people are not only more alert and aware but more empathetic and inspired to aid the rest of the world. Similar to helping an elderly woman cross the street or holding the door open for someone, slacktivist activities are small acts of kindness that make a big difference. It does not require much exertion, only warmhearted concern.

Slacktivism is useful in that it paves the way for activism. It proves, once and for all, that even the little things matter.