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Meaning & use

clicktivism

noun·Advancedinformal

Last updated

UK/ˈklɪk.tɪ.vɪ.zəm/
US/ˈklɪk.tə.vɪ.zəm/

Meaning

  1. noununcountabledisapproving

    Support for a cause shown through quick online actions, such as liking posts or signing petitions, rather than through effort offline.

    Grammar: Not used with an or a plural: clicktivism is common online, not a clicktivism.

    Patterns

    • clicktivism on social media
    • accuse someone of clicktivism

    Critics dismissed the hashtag campaign as clicktivism because few people attended the actual protest.

    Signing an online petition can be clicktivism, but it can also be the first step toward real involvement.

    The charity worried that clicktivism was replacing the volunteering it relied on.

Common combinations

dismiss as clicktivism
Many dismissed the viral challenge as clicktivism.
a form of clicktivism
Sharing the video was a form of clicktivism, nothing more.
online clicktivism
Online clicktivism rarely changes a law by itself.
rise of clicktivism
The rise of clicktivism has changed how charities raise awareness.
move beyond clicktivism
The group wants to move beyond clicktivism and organize local meetings.

Synonyms and how they differ

slacktivism
Slacktivism is even more openly mocking, stressing laziness, whereas clicktivism can be used more neutrally to describe the method.
hashtag activism
Hashtag activism names one particular tool, while clicktivism covers any low-effort online action.
armchair activism
Armchair activism need not involve the internet at all, whereas clicktivism is always about online actions.

Opposites

grassroots activism

Word family

clicktivist noun
a person who supports causes mainly through online clicks
activism noun
action taken to bring about social or political change
activist noun
a person who campaigns for change
click verb
to press a button on a mouse or screen

Commonly confused: clicktivism or activism?

clicktivism vs activism

Activism is the general word for campaigning and has no hint of criticism. Clicktivism is limited to easy online actions and is often meant critically.

Practice

Which situation is the best example of clicktivism?

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