Slacktivism is a funny little hybrid word – a portmanteau of ‘slacker’ and ‘activism’. 

It applies to ‘actions taken to bring about political or social change but requiring only minimal commitment, effort, or risk’, but more generally referring to the casual liking or retweeting of political or issue-led content online in lieu of mobilising IRL.

Over the last two years it’s received a serious amount of mixed press. On the one hand, it’s drawing attention to campaigns and causes that need them. On the other, slacktivism carries a pejorative undertone – implies people are interacting online to look good or feel good rather than actually engaging or committing to a cause. Is this all it is? Is it just a lot of talk but not a lot of do? 

As a digital native who often finds themselves writing about activism – in particular those related to climate change, mental health, and equality – this is something…