ITSH2301
ICT as Platform for Change
ICT as a Medium for Advocacy (Wardynski, 2019)
ICT is an effective instrument for promoting and spreading relevant advocacies on social change. It benefits
from being online compared and not needing any exceeded effort to perform.
Social change is the adjustment in human interactions, which changes the established cultural and social
constructs, beliefs, and institutions. Some of the widespread social changes in recent history include civil rights,
women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and labor rights.
Ogburn’s Theory on Technology and Social Change (Ivy Panda, 2022)
Willian Fielding Ogburn, a sociologist, published a theory in 1992 suggesting that technology was the primary
driving force of social change and progress, but social responses to it weakened it.
Three (3) stages of technical development, according to Ogburn:
1. Invention – the stage wherein new forms of technology are developed.
For example, the invention of the computer comes with communication technology that has allowed
people to spread information quickly, regardless of distance. It has brought social networking, which
lets people develop social groups despite being in different places.
2. Discovery – refers to new ways of understanding and perceiving reality.
For example, the discovery of computer technology has changed how people understand aspects
of different situations. It has made people realize information that would otherwise be impossible
and difficult to acquire, such as events in distant areas.
3. Diffusion – refers to the spread of technology from the point of discovery to other areas.
For example, computer technology and innovations from America and Europe, from basic
calculations to modern computers, were diffused from regions in Asia and Africa. Some adjustments
were made in how the culture responded to the invention.
The Role of ICT in Philippine History
ICT has played different roles in several historical events in the Philippines.
• EDSA and Cardinal Sin’s call to action via radio broadcast: In 1986, then Manila Archbishop
Jaime Cardinal Sin made an urgent appeal to Filipinos to go to the vicinity of Camp Aguinaldo. He
delivered a message on Radio Veritas to appeal to the public to protect holed-up Juan Ponce Enrile
and then-Armed Forces of the Philippines Vice Chief of Staff Fidel Ramos.
• EDSA II and the use of text messaging to mobile people: EDSA Dos was a peaceful uprising in
2001 that overthrew Joseph Estrada as president. The impeachment attempts to oust Estrada due
to plunder and perjury failed, which led to the beginning of text brigades as it was the quickest and
most inexpensive method of communication at the time. It was used to disseminate his corruption-
related propaganda, making the revolution successful.
• PhilAWARE application for humanitarian response: PhilAWARE is an application that aims to
increase disaster reliance, reduce loss, and facilitate cooperation before, during, and after
emergencies. It uses crowd-sourced reporting and government agency validations that let citizens
share experiences to help the community make safety and navigation decisions and help disaster
management officials effectively prioritize response activities during disasters.
04 Handout 1 *Property of STI
student.feedback@sti.edu Page 1 of 3
ITSH2301
The Social Power of Social Media (Maryville University, 2022)
Social media is the best tool for spreading advocacies and causes than other forms of technology. Its features
encourage interaction, such as commenting and sharing, that continue the conversation about which “side” is
right or wrong. Getting the message across the Internet is the first step in achieving social justice.
Social media movements and trends in recent history:
1. 2019 Hong Kong Protests: Over a million Hong Kong residents marched to protest a proposed
extradition bill allowing the city government to extradite suspects to mainland China, which concerns
Hong Kong residents and visitors being detained in China and subjected to its jurisdiction and legal
system. The residents used social media to share live news feeds and action information about
ongoing and upcoming activities as a tool in the battle for public opinion against government-
powered agendas.
2. ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: In 2014, the ALS Association organized an ice bucket challenge to
raise money and awareness for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often known as Lou Gehrig's
disease). The challenge includes emptying a bucket of ice water over one's head to raise money
for ALS research. The pouring of ice was meant for those who do not have the disease to feel the
intense numbing associated with the disease. The challenge's nomination method contributed to its
social media success.
3. Black Lives Matter: The movement organized by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi
began in 2013 as an online community to combat anti-black racism and police violence targeting
African Americans, using the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter on social media platforms. The hashtag
increases in use during protests, demonstrations, speeches, and national discussions or in
response to news stories affecting the Black community, such as George Floyd’s unjust death in
2020.
4. Me Too Movement: The movement is a source of solidarity for women of all backgrounds
experiencing sexual harassment by focusing on the experiences of sexual violence survivors
everywhere. It reached mainstream awareness in 2017 when high-profile actresses in Hollywood
shared their experiences in the film industry and began using the hashtag #MeToo leading to
influential individuals facing the justice system.
5. Million People March: This movement was one of the protests in the Philippines in 2013 calling
for abolishing the Pork Barrel fund over the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam led by
Janel Lim-Napoles. Calls to protest on August 26, 2013, started on Facebook and Twitter and were
considered the first-ever rally organized using social media.
How social media help promotes social justice:
1. Coordinating Community Responses: Social media can create online spaces where people
come together and find support, such as creating a space for sharing ideas online that creates unity
for a cause.
2. Platforming Lived Experience: Social justice causes aim to achieve equity for minorities and
underrepresented individuals and groups, as their stories and struggles are not often known and
publicized. Social media gives a platform to amplify and share these stories with potentially millions
of people worldwide.
3. Sharing Pictures and Videos: Social media is not just a tool for organizing large-scale protests
but also for documenting them. The Hongkong protests of 2019 maximized social media by sharing
pictures and videos of the events in the demonstrations and protests to redirect the narrative.
04 Handout 1 *Property of STI
student.feedback@sti.edu Page 2 of 3
ITSH2301
The terms “slacktivism” and “cancel culture” has also emerged when discussing social media as a platform for
change and advocacy. Slacktivism combines “slacker” and “activism,” referring to simple measures to support
a social movement online, such as signing petitions and copying and reposting statuses and images. At the
same time, Cancel Culture is a divisive idea that can be defined as a way of withdrawing support for public
figures or companies over controversial or scandalous acts and can be considered a form of online shaming on
social media platforms.
References:
IvyPanda (2022). Social change with technology: Ogburn’s model coursework. [Web Article]. Retrieved on February 14,
2023, from https://ivypanda.com/essays/social-change-with-technology-ogburns-model/
Maryville University (2023). A guide to activism in the digital age. [Web Article]. Retrieved on February 14, 2023, from
https://online.maryville.edu/blog/a-guide-to-social-media-activism/
Rosen, D. (2022). The social media debate: Unpacking the social, psychological, and cultural effects of social media.
Routledge.
Wardynski, D. (2019). To what degree are technology and social change related? [Web Article]. Retrieved on February 14,
2023, from https://www.brainspire.com/blog/to-what-degree-is-technology-and-social-change-related
04 Handout 1 *Property of STI
student.feedback@sti.edu Page 3 of 3
