A Teen’s Take On Web-Powered Activism

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Today’s Ypulse Youth Advisory Board post comes from Amanda Aziz who kicks off the first in our next themed series of YAB posts on youth, activism and the brands that help bring the two together. In our first installment Amanda picks up on some of the points I raised the other day in my TEDxTeen coverage and shares her firsthand experience as a teen.

Remember, you can communicate directly with any member of the Ypulse Youth Advisory Board by emailing them at youthadvisoryboard at ypulse.com…or just leave a comment.

A Teen’s Take On Web-Powered Activism

If there is a particularly frustrating assumption associated with Gen Y, it would be that we are egocentric, narcissistic, self-absorbed and irresponsible. In other words: Generation Me. But like any diverse group of individuals, these labels really depend on context, and with the rise of cause-related brands and pro-social campaigns on social networking sites, I think Gen Y has actually defied the Generation Me stereotype.

Though we are a generation of technology lovers who check their Facebook profiles and text non-stop, that doesn’t mean we shut off our awareness to world issues. In fact, many social networking sites have started making it easier to integrate charitable actions into our lives.

Take the examples of Youth Noise and socialvibe. Youthnoise strives to educate Gen Y by compiling information on different global issues from mental health to LGBT rights to third world problems like sex-trafficking and poverty. Along with those facts, the site also promotes online debates that youth can take part in and opportunities for activism. Socialvibe operates similarly, connecting users who want to donate and bring awareness to the cause of their choice, with the added convenience of having a presence on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. As of now, over a million dollars has been donated, with the help of Socialvibe, who turned their brand presence into money for donations.

This powerful combination of Gen Y, causes and social media hasn’t gone unnoticed by Facebook co-founder, Chris Hughes who recently announced the launch of non-profit platform Jumo.com, which will debut this fall. Just another opportunity for Gen Y to be part of global change through social networking.

Of course, there are others who have taken notice of how Gen Y gravitates towards certain world issues. Out of this we’ve seen brands popular with youth partnering up with socially responsible initiatives like Product Red. Based on the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Product Red has joined forces with companies like Starbucks, Apple, Gap and Converse – four brands fairly ingrained in the lives of most young adults. Like social networking, the partnership with Product Red just makes it easier for Gen Y customers to do good (and feel good about doing good) while they do what they normally do.

Yes, there may be some teens today who think that the world revolves around them, but they don’t define Gen Y. We also may be a generation that overindulges in the technology we were raised on, but that doesn’t mean it defines us either. In fact, it gives Gen Y more access to have their voices and opinions heard on today’s issues that affect our society. Socially responsible brands and networking sites help young people rise to the occasion and get involved with social justice and community issues and fit it into our everyday lives. And if you beg to differ, feel free to debate about it on a cause-related social networking site.

Related:

Ypulse Toolbox: 10 Youth Activism Sites To Know
Ypulse Toolbox: 10 More Youth Activism Sites To Know

About Amanda

Being a true believer in the Socratic Method (no, seriously) and a 16 year-old high school junior living in London, Ontario, Canada, Amanda believes that asking questions might just get her somewhere. Even when it comes to finding her way out of the superficial labyrinth that is known as school, she is not one who refrains from a challenge. Reading novels and asking questions are what satisfies her need to learn, and to get insight on different cultures (and pop culture!), languages (she hopes to be fluent in seven… good luck with that) to International Law/Social Justice and trends. Though she has many interests, she insists that music, hiding in the library at lunch time, volunteering, being a member of Junior Achievement, making insanely bad jokes, and wishing at 11:11 to be the “few” staples she can always rely on. Another passion of hers? Writing- whether it is songs, poetry or stories, which is why Amanda is so excited to be a member of the YAB for Ypulse. Maybe asking questions might just get her somewhere after all?

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Categorized under: Youth Advisory Board, Youth Media

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