Geography

Foyet, M. & Child, B. (2024). COVID-19, Social media, algorithms and the rise of indigenous movements in Southern Africa: Perspectives from activists, audiences and policymakers. Frontiers in Sociology, 9, 1433998.

ABSTRACT: The paper employs a mixed-methods approach to investigate the influence of social media on social movements among indigenous communities in Southern Africa.  Findings reveal that indigenous activists recognize the power of social media in amplifying their voices but use these platforms out of necessity rather than preference. They find social media solutions often misaligned with their contextual needs, citing concerns over platform constraints, privacy issues, cultural insensitivity, superficial engagement metrics, and breaches of consent. Additionally, they reckon that the global emphasis on social media engagement can divert focus from essential field activities that directly benefit local communities, causing social media fatigue. It was also revealed that trying to convey practical information to an audience with preconceived notions is incredibly time-consuming and often feels like an endless loop for indigenous activists. Subsequently, they expressed a desire for platforms that consider users’ mental well-being in their architectural design and incorporate cultural and linguistic practices, suggesting a preference for digital environments that are more aligned with values and modes of communication that contrast with western models.