The Relationship Between Social Media and Social Movements

In the last five years of growing social change and media evolutions, how do social movements grow, evolve, and interact with these platforms?

Project Goal: To track the movement of trends via language, iconography, and the spaces allowed to them.

Using case studies and research methods, I plan to draw an intersection and connection between groups in social movements and social media platforms.

Case Studies:
My case studies will be specific to American culture and politics over the past five years and specifically delve into META platforms.
Black Lives Matter Movement (2020)
Platform: Instagram
How did the movement grow into the mainstream? How did the other side of the movement use social media to their advantage?
Russian invasion of Ukraine (2021)
Platform: Facebook
How was the movement in support of Ukraine created for Americans? How has it sustained itself since?
January 6th Insurrection (2021)
Platform: Facebook
How did the use of social media correlate to the organization of the movement? How do people discuss this event currently?
Charlie Kirk’s Assassination (2025)
Platform: Instagram
How did the changing of content moderation change the projection of this movement? How has the image of Charlie Kirk’s legacy changed through the movement?