The age of Gen X and Z in social causes: From online influence to activism

Generation X and Z are changing the conversation when it comes to social causes. In November 2023, a month after Israel's war on Gaza commenced, a Harvard CAPS-Harris X poll found that 51 percent of respondents, ages 18 to 24 said that the resistance was justified, especially against the backdrop of the Israeli occupation. اضافة اعلان

In an interview with Jordan News Hatem Alshouli, a digital media consultant Alshouli said “The current strategies of social media platforms and their focus on appealing to Gen Z. These strategies are evident in the updates seen on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which now emphasize topics that resonate with this younger demographic.

Does the influence go beyond the screen?
Regarding whether the influence of social media has the power to go beyond the screen, Alshouli said “This influence is evident in how they create new content, often reflecting trends and changes over the past decade. A prime example is the World Cup in Qatar, where sports-related content on social media surged by more than 350 percent, and the rate of content reproduction increased by over 200 percent. This underscores the significant role of social media in shaping public opinion.”

Since October 7, the increase in digital engagement via social media has also shaped a new conversation now on Palestine. A recent study showed that Palestinians rely on social media as its number-one source of news in recent years, and the increase of citizen journalism has also increased as well.

However, with the increase of pro-Palestine content online, organizations like Amnesty International said the response to online hate needs to increase as well.

It added, “Social media can play a vital role in times of crisis for communication––as such, major social media companies need to urgently step up measures to protect human rights.”

Alshouli added that the algorithm plays into what he calls “subjective influence,” which refers to individuals where individuals are influenced differently based on the specific type of content they encounter and how they interpret or reshape it.”

Social media: quick, interactive, and a broader reach
In a conversation with Jordan News, Joud Mismar, Gen Z, emphasized her reliance on digital platforms for social engagement. Mismar stated, “I primarily use social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to engage with social causes. It is quick, interactive, and I can reach a large audience.”

Digital activism: emotionally taxing
Addressing mental health and digital activism, she added “Being actively involved in social causes can be emotionally taxing. There is a lot of negative news, and it can sometimes feel overwhelming. But it is also empowering to be part of a community that cares and wants to make a difference”

A sense of community
In an interview with Jordan News, psychologist Dr. Shatha Omer, added “Real-world activism may offer a more tangible sense of community and solidarity but can be physically and emotionally demanding, potentially contributing to burnout or exhaustion. Individual responses to both forms of activism differ, and factors like personal boundaries, coping mechanisms, and the nature of the cause play crucial roles in determining the effects on mental health. Balancing involvement in activism with self-care practices is important for maintaining mental well-being.”

One of the downsides is the spread of misinformation
Furthermore, Mismar identified that one of the downsides to online activism can be the spread of misinformation. She remarked, “Misinformation is a big challenge. It is hard to always know what is true or not. Also, there is sometimes a feeling that you are not doing enough, even when you are constantly engaged.”

For Salah Hijazi, he noted this feeling of overwhelm, Hijazi, who belongs to Gen X, said that his generation primarily focused on in-person gatherings like rallies, protests, and community meetings. He added “Flyers, and word-of-mouth were our main tools.”

Hijazi added the challenges faced by his generation, particularly the absence of instant, widespread digital communication "The key difference from Gen Z's approach is the lack of immediate, widespread digital communication platforms.”

The Harris Poll pointed out that 85 percent of Gen Z’ers are aware or committed to protecting their mental health. This echoes with Hijazi, who said “As someone from Generation X, we often overlooked mental health during our active years, usually pushing through stress and challenges. Our approach was to rely on strong community support, which provided a sense of solidarity.”

Dr. Omer added “Constant engagement with social causes online can have both positive and negative impacts on the mental health of individuals from Generation X and Generation Z. On the positive side, it can foster a sense of community, activism, and awareness. However, excessive exposure to distressing content or online conflicts may contribute to stress, anxiety, and burnout. It is essential for individuals to balance their online involvement and prioritize self-care to maintain good mental health”

She added that this phenomenon can be measured through the impact of digital activism and going in person. She said, “Engaging in digital activism may provide a sense of connection and empowerment but can also lead to stress or anxiety due to exposure to online conflicts or distressing content.”

In addition, she said, “Real-world activism may offer a more tangible sense of community and solidarity but can be physically and emotionally demanding, potentially contributing to burnout or exhaustion. Individual responses to both forms of activism differ, and factors like personal boundaries, coping mechanisms, and the nature of the cause play crucial roles in determining the effects on mental health. Balancing involvement in activism with self-care practices is important for maintaining mental well-being.”

However, she said individuals can balance their passion for social causes with personal well-being by doing the following:

• Setting Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries on the time and energy invested in activism. Designate specific periods for engagement to prevent burnout.
  
• Self-Care Practices: Prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies to recharge mentally and emotionally.
  
• Selective Engagement: Choose specific causes or issues to focus on rather than spreading oneself too thin. Prioritize those that align most closely with personal values.
  
• Offline Connection: Nurture in-person relationships and engage in real-world community activities to maintain a sense of connection beyond the digital realm.
  
• Information Moderation: Limit exposure to distressing content. Stay informed but avoid constant exposure to negative news or conflicts that can impact mental health.
  
• Regular Breaks: Take breaks from social media and activism to allow time for relaxation and rejuvenation.
  
• Seek Support: Connect with like-minded individuals or support groups to share experiences and provide mutual encouragement.