Checkmate Social Media

A digital campaign targeted at local governments promoting cultural and societal shifts

CAMPAIGN IDEA

A one-day, super low-budget digital protest that targets local governments and advocates for cultural and societal shifts regarding the use and regulation of social media.

CAMPAIGN DESCRIPTION

Our campaign, Checkmate Social Media, aims to illuminate the growing societal influence of social media, and press upon local governments the urgency for change. With a one-day, digital-only approach, we will focus on encouraging individuals to abstain from using any social media platforms for the entire day, showcasing the power and potential that the collective have when they unite against such omnipresent forces.

Despite the campaign’s short duration and minimalistic financial resources, we believe the impact will be significant. This process will serve as a reminder of how deeply embedded these platforms are in daily life and will be a wake-up call for local governments to take action and implement regulations that encourage healthier patterns of use.

THEORY FOR WHY THIS CAMPAIGN WILL CREATE CHANGE

We predict this campaign will effect change by making visible the invisible; social media’s integrated nature tends to mask its influence on society. By deliberately abstaining, participants will highlight this hidden impact, raising awareness among local governments about the need for change.

Moreover, the campaign’s unique nature — digital, short-lived, yet widespread — may actually work to its advantage, creating a shock effect that jolts both the public and government entities into recognizing the need for change. Foregoing social media for a day may cause temporary discomfort, but it will ultimately illuminate the unhealthy dependence on social media and the need for moderated use.

PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING CAMPAIGN TO MEDIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Take a break from the relentless scrolling, the exhausting debates, the constant need to be ‘in the loop.’ On July 6th 2023, the Checkmate Social Media campaign presents an opportunity to step back, reflect and take a stand against the omnipresent influence of social media in our lives.

Checkmate Social Media is a digital protest designed to advocate for cultural and societal shifts in our approach to social media regulation. Organized by Micah White, Ph.D., using the cutting-edge AI, ProtestGPT, the campaign calls for individuals around the world to cease all social media activity for 24 hours, in a bid to raise awareness regarding the all-consuming nature of these platforms.

An ambitious initiative, the campaign invites local governments worldwide to participate and acknowledge the urgency of the matter. The Checkmate Social Media campaign is a reflection of our collective power to resist and make our voices heard, even in the face of giants like social media conglomerates.

While the campaign will only last for 24 hours, it is hoped that the impact will reverberate much longer. It is a call for local governments to rethink their approach towards social media, to consider stricter regulations and laws that could help instigate change.

Join us on July 6th in a collective stance against the social media monopolies. Let’s use the power of absence to illuminate the overpowering presence of social media in our lives, and urge local governments worldwide to Checkmate Social Media.

FLASH FICTION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE FOUNDER DESCRIBING THE CAMPAIGN’S ORIGIN

As I sat at my computer, endlessly scrolling through social media feeds, I felt a wave of frustration wash over me. It seemed as though our lives had become deeply intertwined with these platforms, our behaviors and thoughts constantly shaped by the endless stream of information and opinions. I realized that it was time to take a stand.

The idea for the campaign, “Checkmate Social Media,” was born out of this frustration. The concept was simple; a 24-hour digital protest against the omnipresent nature of social media. I wanted to use the same digital realm that social media dominated to strike back.

The premise was straightforward, but the execution required a delicate touch. My years of experience in activism, combined with the powerful AI, ProtestGPT, offered a unique opportunity to create a detailed, actionable campaign with minimal resources.

There were moments of doubt, but the belief in the cause kept me going. I believed that the silence, the absence from social media for just a day, would be louder than any words we could ever plan to say.

And now, as the day of the campaign approaches, I eagerly anticipate the collective stand, the unity against the giants, the moment when local governments worldwide finally acknowledge the urgency of the matter. It’s a fight against the giants, but with the collective power, we’re ready to play the game and say, “Checkmate, Social Media.”

HOW WILL OPPONENTS TO THIS CAMPAIGN TRY TO STOP IT

Opponents, primarily social media companies and those who benefit from their omnipresence, may attempt to discredit the campaign, labeling it as ineffective or too simplistic. They may also increase their engagement efforts, trying to keep users logged in and active even more.

HOW SHOULD ACTIVISTS RESPOND TO OPPONENT’S ATTEMPTS TO STOP IT

Activists should remain vigilant and committed to the cause. They should counteract attempts at discrediting the campaign by highlighting its wider context - it’s not just about the 24-hour period, but the long-term change it advocates for. They should also prepare for an influx of content and reminders from social media platforms and encourage followers to remain steadfast.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO LAUNCH THE CAMPAIGN

1. Formulate a clear message: What does the campaign stand for, and what changes does it wish to effect? Include helpful information about why this is a crucial issue.

2. Spread the word: Utilize the pillars of digital communication - emails, newsletters, blog posts, and yes, even social media itself - to invite participants.

3. Reach out to local governments: Send out press releases to local government officials, inviting them to participate and highlighting the importance of the cause.

4. Prepare for opposition: Anticipate the strategies that social media platforms and other opponents might employ and prepare counter-strategies.

5. Launch: On the day of the campaign, remain vigilant and active (outside of social media, of course). Keep the campaign alive through alternate digital communications. After the campaign ends, share the results and impact, and discuss next steps and the future direction of the cause.