”YOUTH doesn’t care about anything anymore” (Peter, 56)

They are lazy. They have too much free time. They are always on their phone. Sounds familiar? „They“ usually refers to young people today in lenses of older generations. To be more specific, it’s a reference to Gen Z  –  the new generation born roughly between the mid-1990s and early 2010st. Media likes to call them first true digital native generation. 

Why is this important to clarify? A data-decision intelligence company Morning Consult recently conducted a report to learn more about Gen Z’s social media usage. The key finding? Video content is dominant and enduring. The report reveals that YouTube is the most popular platform among Gen Z, with over 80% of them using the app. Instagram follows at 75%, while TikTok and Snapchat are also widely used, with 69% and 63% of Gen Z spending time on these apps respectively.

So, „Zoomers“ mostly don’t read the newspapers, don’t listen to the radio nor watch television. They are on Instagram, Youtube and Tik Tok, and trust me, they are not silent…These platforms are most popular among Gen Z due to their emphasis on visual content, interactivity, community building, and real-time engagement. Yes, I’m saying that social media, especially in video form, isn’t only superficial and so bad after all, mom… because it can easily and effectively spread important messages and engage not only local and national, but global audience.

There is a new sexy popular guy in town and his name is Video!

Indeed, irrespective of being technophobe or technophile, it’s obvious that video has become one of the main forms for transmitting information. Videos are widely-used kind of resource and – if well used, can be an excellent form of non-formal learning. As a result, in today’s digital age, video activism has become increasingly prevalent as a means of mobilizing people and amplifying marginalized voices that have historically been silenced. Furthermore, it has emerged as a powerful source for influencing social change, providing individuals and groups with the opportunity to raise awareness, express their experiences, and advocate for justice online.

First of all, video activism as such is a democratic tool, whether we are talking about documentary movies or postmodern toys that young users can’t resist: social media. Why? We are living in a time when everybody can be a film director or content creator if they have a decent phone and learn a skill or two on how to use it. We are all journalists if we decide to use these platforms responsibly, report an event and/or educate others by parallel ensuring accuracy and coherence (yes, that is not always the case). 

Likewise, video activism, especially the one created by using social media, is free form of exspression so there is another democatic layer that ensures that more people can have access to it: to use it and to create content on it. In that way, youth because of their technical knowledge and their active usage slowly conquered these online worlds and made a space for them and their problems to be heard. Space that can also easily be connected and affect government policies and create actual practical change.

To give a popular example, there is Tik Tok and term “TikTok Intifada” which refers to the wave of social media activism among youth. The study published by Online Media and Global Communication (OMGC) showed that TikTok’s features promote the virality and creative crafting of both direct and indirect political content. This makes the platform a significant space for political expression, mobilization, and online activism among youth, utilizing video and hashtags.To amplify it, as you already know, the most recent cause of video activism right now on social media is the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict which became viral and is circumlocutorily prompting many countries to openly criticize terorism, war crimes, human rights violations and even genocide.

You don’t believe me that video activism influences change? Challenge accepted:

Imagine you are reading a novel. Time: 2011. Place: Chile. Contex: demand to strengthen public education and to make public education in schools and universities free. Student online video activism and the education movement in Chile is a perfect example of how video activism can be effective. Persistent activism has led to significant policy changes, including increased funding for public education and steps towards free university education. A group of researchers at the University of Chile concluded that this online video activism has helped shift public opinion, garnering widespread support for the students’ demands and increasing scrutiny of government policies.

Talking about making a difference, video activism among youth is also beneficial for their mental health. Engaging in social justice activities can provide a sense of purpose and community, helping to alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression. A study highlighted by the Greater Good Science Center found that participation in youth organizations that focus on activism can foster critical thinking and motivation, leading to greater personal development and resilience​.

One of the most influential stories in this context is definitely The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement which is still going strong (#MeToo). Video was used as evidence and many young activists have used platforms like TikTok to create short, impactful videos that address racial justice issues and encourage their peers to get involved. As British digital journalist for BBC Sophia Smith Galer said: From screen recordings to social media video, many are showing that activism can go viral without even leaving their homes. #Finallysomegoodnews

Besides TikTok, there is also his/her often-forgotten but influential „sister“, Twitter. Twitter can also be a great tool for advocating change. It has shown its greatness in Spain during the decade of social protests. One of them was 15-M Movement (2011), a movement that protested economic inequality, corruption, and austerity measures. Video activism in this case was used succesfuly for protection of the activists and helped with general transparency of the movement by video documentation and live streaming (platforms called Periscope that is integrated with Twitter).

Don’t put us in a box: We are not lazy, we are revolutionary…      

All this sounds quite inspiring, at least to me, and there are more and more examples nowadays of how video can indeed be political and at the end result in actual change. And it’s going to be more common then you think, I feel it. This is crucial, especially in Europe, where we are witnessing a never-stronger radical and conservative right wing in power, from Italy and Spain to Nederlands and Germany, whose members are usually openly noninclusive and dangerous for marginalized societal groups.

Thereby, video activism advocates social, political, and environmental change, but can also produce concrete change in policies. So in today’s digital age, video activism has become increasingly prevalent as a means of mobilizing people and amplifying voices that have historically been silenced. But we need to take into consideration as well that technology, as a key element providing these new trends, is also a political platform that can influence media, campaigns, political communication, public policies, political interest, activism, and ideological education in both ways, good and bad, so responsible usage and addressing non-tolerant behavior and practices became never more relevant and crucial.

As we should, as we can, as we will

And finally, I must say that it came the time when it’s not acceptable to simply draw a conclusion that young people don’t care or that they are all just lazy staring at their phones. Some of them are, just like some people from older generations, but using that argument is just stereotypical narrative and generalizaton that needs to stop. First educate yourself, and then preach. The new generation has new rules and new ways of action, whether you understand it or not.

Activism is not only realized physically in the streets and yes, solidarity still exists, but in another shape. That’s why video activism is one of the best and the most effective ways of expression for young, creative and motivated people that while using it indirectly sent a message: We don’t need government support, we don’t need high institutions, we can create change by ourselves. As we should, as we can, as we will…