So What?

How we used to define successful activism no longer works. Online networks have surpassed traditional methods, not only in effectively reaching people, but in being able to motivate them to create change in new and interesting ways. There’s no question about that.

However, while we know who is connected to whom, we don’t yet know how to best grow these networks for positive activist outcomes, or what value—if any—the networks have beyond the immediate need and cause. New thinking and tools are necessary to understand Social Citizens better, assess the impact of their activist efforts, and improve institutions to better serve them.