Virtual Engagement

VIRTUAL ENGAGEMENT

Broadly defined, virtual engagement involves various forms of using the Internet, social media for example, to become involved with civic engagement. Examples include:

Use of internet to...

Join a social networking site
Engage in activities with a civic or political focus—for example, joining a political group or signing a petition
Participate in online human rights/social game or initiative (e.g. FreeRice to address hunger)
Sign up as a “friend” of a candidate on a social networking site
Add to the political discussion by posting comments on a website or blog about a political or social issue
Post pictures or video content online related to a political or social issue
Use a blog to explore political or social issues
Use your talents and knowledge to support a particular cause (e.g. assist a non-profit organization with writing a grant)
Provide direct financial support for an international "partner" (e.g. help fund a microenterprise business started by a young woman or group of women in Chile)

Use of social networks to...

“Like” or promote material related to politics or social issues that others have posted
Encourage people to vote
Post your thoughts or comments on political/social issues
Use tools to re-post another individual's content related to political/social issues
Encourage others to research political/social issues that are important to them
Inform others by using tools to post links to political/social articles
Join groups on social networking sites involved in political or social issues, or that are working towards a cause
"Follow" elected officials and candidates for office.

RESOURCES and OPPORTUNITIES

For a better sense of what "virtual engagement" means, view the following PEW Center Reports:

-Social Media and Political Engagement:
http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/10/25/the-political-environment-on-social-media/

-Internet and Civic Engagement:
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/15--The-Internet-and-Civic-Engagement/1--Summary-of-Findings.aspx

OPPORTUNITIES

Half the Sky Facebook Game:https://www.facebook.com/HalftheGame

Half the Sky Mobile Games: http://www.halftheskymovement.org/pages/mobile-games.html

Half the Sky Music: www.halftheskymovement.org/30-songs-30-days

Help End World Hunger---FreeRice Game (affiliated with World Food Program): http://freerice.com/#/english-vocabulary/1374