journal.kommunikation-medien / The Impact of Social Media on Social Movements: Can social media shape a revolution?

Social media has had a profound impact on the way social movements are initiated, managed and carried out. This literature review examines the relationship between social media and social movements, aiming to determine whether digital platforms can shape and sustain po-litical and social movements. While some scholars believe that the impact of technology on political change is overemphasised, others argue that social media has emerged as a crucial instrument for political activism and movements. The significance of social media in facilitating real-world activism and building public opinion cannot be ignored, despite some failed efforts. The study aims to identify the factors that contribute to the success or failure of social movements which use social media as a tool or resource for mobilisation by reviewing cases from multiple countries. This paper generally provides a critical analysis of the impact of social media on social movements and its potential for shaping a revolution.