Social Media Disruptions

#IceBucketChallenge

2014

1 in every 6 people living in the United Kingdom participated in the ice bucket challenge. The hashtag was generated by the ALS Associated and went viral through Facebook and celebrities posting to their followers doing the challenge. It is the first charity challenge that received more than $41 million dollars and set the bar so high that other charities have yet to match it.

#YesAllWomen

2014

1.2 billion impressions later, Twitter created the space for women to talk about sexism and male empowerment. Twitter was also the platform used to convey other narratives in reply to #YesAllWomen such as #NotAllMen

#TakeAKnee

2017

In only three days, the hashtag was Tweeted over 1 million times. The movement went viral over Twitter when NFL players took the knee rather than placing their hands over their hearts during the national anthem. It was started to protest racial injustice but many viewed it as disrespect.

#MeToo

2017

Even though the hashtag was created over ten years ago, it gained it's popularity back in 2017 with the help of women celebrities and Twitter. The hashtag has been used millions of times by millions of people and is still going strong. It has created hashtags such as #TimesUp and #WhyWeWearBlack to continue the conversation about sexual harassment.

#NoBanNoWall

2017

Politics in social media made a huge presence during Trump's presidency campaign. After the inauguration, Trump's standpoint on immigration and refugees in America turned sour when the Travel Ban took effect. Former White House employee coined the term on social media and Twitter launched the viral anti-muslim immigration policies.