I had two choices when it came to choosing a user demographic: 10 year olds or undergraduate students. I felt that this theme of equality might be more suited for an undergraduate student who may be more engaged with inequalities prevalent in todays world.
I created a mind map to get a sense of the relationship between undergraduate students and the sustainable development goals. It is clear that this generation is significantly more socially conscious than the rest. I think it would be important to gain a perspective of the way in which this generation are activists and what activist spaces look like in the modern day.
A 2020 study from the UK Safer Internet Centre showed 34% of 8-to-17-year-olds say the internet has inspired them to take action about a cause and 43% say it makes them feel their voices matter.
Younger generations have revolutionised the spaces in which activist discourse takes place and the methods in which messages are spread and popularised. Social media is the centre of activism for the typical undergraduate student. This generation is undoubtedly more left leaning and progressive in their political views, and champion this through many forms in social media. An example of this being displaying their pronouns on their instagram bios to create a more inclusive environment for those who want to display they/them pronouns or any other identities.
Young adults in today's world are redefining activism. They are digitally savvy and make use of technology and social media platforms to voice their opinions and rally for change. They are not afraid to speak up about the issues that matter most to them, which often includes topics like climate change, racial and social justice, and LGBTQ+ rights.
They are also the generation that believes in the power of collective action. They organise and participate in protests, sign and share petitions, and use their social media platforms to spread awareness and call others to action. They understand that their voices are powerful and that they can use this power to create change.
Young adults are also involved in activism at their schools and universities, joining and leading organisations that aim to make a difference in the world. They work tirelessly, balancing their academic responsibilities with their passion for change.
In many ways, young adults and university students are at the forefront of modern-day activism.
A lot of activist messaging is spread via infographics. These usually showcase beautiful and aesthetically pleasing design. These are often shared via stories and lend themselves particularly well to the instagram platform. Arguably, these can be quite damaging as there is a strong possibility for the spread of misinformation when it comes to the sharing of infographics, often likening them to propaganda which is counterproductive. The nature of this relationship makes it easier to then exercise one’s civic identity and participate, both offline and online, in social change movements.
