slacktivist

Slacktivist is a portmanteau of "slacker" and "activist" used to describe individuals who engage in online activism that requires little effort and appears to support social or political causes primarily through digital actions rather than substantive, on-the-ground organizing. The term gained prominence in the mid-2000s with the rise of social media, where actions such as liking, sharing, signing online petitions, and changing profile pictures could be performed quickly.

Proponents argue that slacktivism lowers barriers to participation, raises awareness, and can mobilize resources and volunteers for broader campaigns. Critics contend that it substitutes for meaningful engagement, creates an illusion of participation, and may dampen offline advocacy by fulfilling social-approval needs with a click. Research findings are mixed: some studies find online activism correlates with offline participation or helps sustain campaigns, while others question causality and point to moral licensing or reduced willingness to donate or volunteer.

The concept is related to terms such as clicktivism, hashtag activism, and performative activism. While online actions can be a first step in a broader strategy, many organizers emphasize that effective social or political change requires sustained offline organizing, fundraising, and policy engagement in addition to digital support.