Ella Robertson, the managing director of One Young World, recently addressed the growing concern of slacktivism,
emphasizing the urgent need for genuine activism. At the annual One Young World
summit, she spoke passionately about the importance of moving beyond
superficial online gestures to effect real-world change.
Slacktivism, as Robertson describes it, is the practice of supporting a cause primarily through
social media without engaging in meaningful actions. “When you share a
post on Instagram, you get a dopamine hit from the likes and comments. But, in
reality, all you’ve done is put pixels out into the ether,” she stated.
This form of activism, she argues, creates a false sense of accomplishment and
fails to bring about substantive progress.
One Young World, under Robertson’s leadership, is committed to fostering a new wave of activism
that prioritizes tangible outcomes. Ella Robertson urges young activists to spend their time more productively.
“The average time adults in the West spend on social media is
two-and-a-half hours a day. Imagine the impact if that time were dedicated to
actual efforts like community organizing or policy advocacy,” she noted.
Robertson also highlighted the importance of bridging divides by engaging with those who hold
opposing views. “Look at the people who you might not like. Those might be
the ones you need to persuade to make a change. Reach out to people who aren’t
like you,” she advised. This approach, she believes, is essential for
building inclusive movements capable of effecting lasting change.
While acknowledging the role of disruption in activism, Ella Robertson warned against actions that alienate potential allies.
She cited recent environmental protests that involved damaging public property as counterproductive. Instead, she advocates for
“proactivism”—focused, strategic actions that lead to real change without unnecessary controversy.
Ella Robertson’s call to action at One Young World is clear: meaningful activism requires more
than online support. It demands real-world engagement, inclusive dialogues, and
well-considered strategies. Read this article for more information.
Find more information about Ella Robertson on https://amheath.com/authors/ella-robertson/