In an age of censorship, social media has given a voice to those affected by global conflicts.
The world is experiencing conflict like never before. From written s by families stuck in warzones to graphic videos of children trapped under tons of rubble, tragedies happening on the other side of the world feel closer to home than ever. Social media platforms like Instagram and X are largely responsible for this phenomenon.
Just about anyone with a phone and Internet access can post on social media, giving a voice to everyday civilians whose stories we wouldn’t know, had it not been for a single TikTok video, Facebook Live, or Instagram post. Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, social media s from around the world are witnessing firsthand what it really means to be subject to military violence, dispossession, and starvation.
Statistics about civilian casualties are no longer just numbers—they now have names, faces, and backstories. Like Dr. Refaat Alareer, a professor at the Islamic University of Gaza, who shared a poem entitled “If I Must Die” to X, merely a month before he and his family were killed by an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) airstrike. Following his death, Dr. Alareer’s poem was shared widely on social media, garnering over 34 million views and nearly 200,000 likes.
Families attempting to flee Rafah have shared their stories on social media, detailing their plans to seek refuge in Egypt and other neighbouring countries. Many have also posted seeking financial aid from s who can sympathize with their experiences and help them fund travel costs, medical aid, and other necessary expenses.
The personal s and pleas for help that populate social media are undoubtedly distressing to see. Many s sharing photos and videos of the violence against civilians have been banned or suspended from social media platforms like TikTok and X for this reason.
Another aspect often overlooked is the indignity those face in being forced to beg strangers for help, out of sheer desperation. Victims must bear their families’ vulnerabilities to the world and plead their case for deserving empathy. They’re forced to justify the value of their lives, convincing viewers to spend five dollars on a fundraiser instead of coffee for the day.
Frankly, it’s dystopian that people living through global conflicts are put in this position. At the same time, without social media, many people would be oblivious to the reality of life for the victims of various global conflicts and unaware of ways to help. From just 280 characters on X, we hear their voices from across the globe, and we realize the power of our own.
Aaniqa is a second-year Political Studies and Health Studies student and The Journal’s Features Editor.
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