#Advocacy: Social Media Activism's Power to Transform Law

Authors

Stacey B. Steinberg, University of Florida Levin College of Law

Abstract

Attorneys influence the actions of legislators, courts, and community leaders by working alongside social movements. Together, these advocates seek to challenge the status quo by setting precedent that will ensure equality and justice for all individuals. While social movements often use social media to convey their message or to gather support for their cause, many attorneys are unfamiliar with leveraging this powerful new technology.

Social media platforms provide a low-cost, fast, and easy-to-use tool that effectively disseminates information and helps advocates garner support for their cause. However, some social change advocates, including lawyers and policymakers, are hesitant to get involved in social media activities. These advocates are missing unique and powerful opportunities to move their causes forward, and are perhaps doing so at their peil.

Onlne activism has both ampliied the voices of marginalized individuals and shifted national conversations on important legal and social issues. This Article explores the role of social movements in cause-lawyering, and introduces advocates to social media's role in creating meaningful legal change. This Article first discusses social movements and community activism in the context oflaw Then, this Article ilustrates the unique power of online advocacy (often referred to as #activism) to create legal and social reform. Finally, this Article concludes by proposing that attorneys should come to understand and embrace social media, as it has revolutionized how laws are created and enforced in all aspects of society.

Recommended Citation

Steinberg, Stacey B. (2016) "#Advocacy: Social Media Activism's Power to Transform Law," Kentucky Law Journal: Vol. 105: Iss. 3, Article 2.
Available at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/klj/vol105/iss3/2