Keywords
slacktivism; activism; gen z; digital activism; social media
Abstract
Gen Z is a considerably politically active generation. However, Gen Z differs from previous generations in their methodology, campaigning for change through both in person and digital activism. While both forms of activism are effective in their own way, digital poses a unique challenge. When people can be activists from the comfort of their phone, they become “slacktivists”. People whose activism does not contribute to any significant action outside of the internet (Serup Christensen).
Through interviews and focus groups, my documentary explores how Gen Z participates in activism, and what that means for the future of activism. After these discussions, I have concluded that Gen Z occupies a spectrum, with some people maintaining strong ties to traditional, community-based activism, some people being both activist and slacktivist, and those who remain as passive bystanders. While social media has the potential to support real, effective action, an over-reliance creates a too-comfortable, uninformed bystander population.
Thesis Completion Year
2024
Thesis Completion Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair
Mills, Lisa
College
College of Sciences
Department
Nicholson School of Communication
Thesis Discipline
Film
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus Access
None
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Davis, Nia J., "Into the Activism: An Exploration of Gen Z's Political Participation" (2024). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 134.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/134
Rights Statement
