Ella Robertson Advocates for Genuine Activism at One Young World

In a world increasingly dominated by digital activism and social media campaigns, Ella
Robertson of One Young World is calling for a return to meaningful,
on-the-ground efforts. Robertson, who serves as the managing director of One Young World, has identified a troubling trend she calls
“slacktivism”—the practice of merely posting about social issues
online without engaging in real-world actions. 

Slacktivism, according to Ella Robertson, gives people a false sense of accomplishment.
While sharing a post or using a hashtag may seem like a small step toward
change, it often lacks the substantive follow-up needed to make a real impact.
“When you share a post on Instagram, you get a dopamine hit from the likes
and comments. But, in reality, all you’ve done is put pixels into the
ether,” Robertson argues. 

To counteract this trend, Ella Robertson encourages individuals to spend their time more wisely. “The
average amount of time adults in the West spend on social media is
two-and-a-half hours a day,” she notes. “What if people spent those
two-and-a-half hours actually doing the things that they’re posting
about?” This call to action is central to Robertson’s mission at One Young
World, a global forum for young leaders. 

Moreover, Robertson emphasizes the importance of engaging with people who hold differing
viewpoints. “It’s easy to ally with like-minded activists, but what about
those with whom you completely disagree? Connect with them,” she advises.
This approach, she believes, can lead to more effective and inclusive movements. 

Ella Robertson also warns against the pitfalls of disruptive activism that alienates potential
allies. She cites examples like environmental protests involving vandalism,
which often do more harm than good. Instead, Robertson advocates for
“proactivism,” focusing on the quiet, less glamorous work where real
change happens. 

Through her leadership at One Young World, Ella Robertson aims to guide a new generation of
activists toward impactful and inclusive efforts. Her message is clear:
meaningful change requires more than just clicks and shares; it demands
real-world action and diverse engagement. Read this article for more information. 

Learn more about Ella Robertson on https://medium.com/@EllaRobertson/about 

In a world increasingly dominated by digital activism and social media campaigns, Ella Robertson of One Young World is calling for a return to meaningful, on-the-ground efforts. Robertson, who serves as the managing director of One Young World, has identified a troubling trend she calls “slacktivism”—the practice of merely posting about social issues online without…