[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/#NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/","headline":"The revolution will be carried out on Instagram","name":"The revolution will be carried out on Instagram","description":"\u2018Keyboard warrior\u2019; \u2018Social justice warrior\u2019; \u2018Slacktivist\u2019.\u00a0 These phrases and portmanteaus are common insults thrown at the people who passionately advocate for the causes that are close to their hearts, in online spaces such as Instagram.\u00a0 People have questioned whether those who practise digital activism and advocacy are getting any real change done. It is a […]","datePublished":"2021-07-14","dateModified":"2022-04-16","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/Shreya%20Lakshminarayanan\/#Person","name":"Shreya Lakshminarayanan","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/Shreya%20Lakshminarayanan\/","identifier":337,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/99cd4755f0ba2c890e54c5a13102548630981715c297a5cf75c9311f18bcee47?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/99cd4755f0ba2c890e54c5a13102548630981715c297a5cf75c9311f18bcee47?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TheHomeGround Asia","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","width":640,"height":640}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1626270343921_Fist_feature_1280x626_v2.jpg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1626270343921_Fist_feature_1280x626_v2.jpg","height":626,"width":1280},"url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/","commentCount":"437","comment":[{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/#Comment1","dateCreated":"2026-08-23 14:14:35","description":"Great piece on the evolving role of Instagram in Singapore\u2019s activist landscape\u2014especially how visual storytelling bridges awareness and action. For those looking to amplify their message with eye-catching, accessible text styles (think miniaturized Unicode fonts for infographics or protest captions), SmolTextGen is a handy free tool: it works instantly in your browser, no sign-up needed. Perfect for activists, educators, or designers who want clean, shareable text variants without leaving the tab. Try it out here: \r\nSmolTextGen<\/a>","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"small text","url":"https:\/\/smoltextgen.com"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/#Comment2","dateCreated":"2026-08-23 11:47:29","description":"If you're exploring how visual storytelling fuels modern activism\u2014especially in Singapore\u2014you\u2019ll love how tools like AI-powered design agents are reshaping digital advocacy. Platforms like Instagram thrive on compelling visuals, and creating impactful infographics or awareness campaigns just got faster and more intuitive. Check out YourArt.app, an AI design agent with an infinite canvas for crafting images and videos that resonate: \r\nYourArt.app<\/a>","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"YourArt","url":"https:\/\/yourart.app"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/#Comment3","dateCreated":"2026-08-23 07:02:22","description":"Great piece on the evolving role of Instagram in Singapore\u2019s activist landscape! It\u2019s fascinating how visual storytelling\u2014infographics, carousels, and bold typography\u2014can turn passive scrolling into meaningful engagement. For activists needing clean, scalable assets to amplify their messages (e.g., protest maps, accessibility diagrams, or campaign logos), tools like ImageToCAD can help convert reference photos or sketches into precise, editable vector files\u2014ideal for print, signage, or web use. Whether designing bilingual rally banners or adapting infographics for physical displays, having vector-ready assets saves time and boosts impact. Try it free: \r\nhttps:\/\/imagetocad.app\/<\/a>","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"image to cad","url":"https:\/\/imagetocad.app\/"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/#Comment4","dateCreated":"2026-08-23 06:35:04","description":"Fascinating read on how Instagram is reshaping activism in Singapore \u2014 especially the nuanced take on whether visual advocacy drives real change or just echo chambers. It\u2019s refreshing to see local voices like Kate Yeo and Sean Francis Han spotlighting systemic issues with creativity and care. For those curious about how digital tools can *also* deepen self-awareness beyond social causes, try an AI-powered face rating that breaks down your strongest feature, main limiter, and what to improve first \u2014 no filters, just insight: \r\nface-rating.app<\/a>","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"AI Face Rating","url":"https:\/\/face-rating.app\/"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/#Comment5","dateCreated":"2026-08-23 06:14:44","description":"Great piece on the evolving role of Instagram in Singapore\u2019s activist landscape! It\u2019s fascinating how visual storytelling\u2014infographics, reels, and carousels\u2014can turn complex issues into accessible, shareable moments of awareness. If you're an advocate or creator looking to amplify your message with high-impact visuals *fast*, tools like CreatView.ai can help: it plans scenes, selects models, and generates polished social videos from a script or even a product URL\u2014ideal for activists needing consistent, professional content without a production team. Check it out here: \r\nhttps:\/\/creatview.ai<\/a>","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"AI Video Generator","url":"https:\/\/creatview.ai\/"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/#Comment6","dateCreated":"2026-08-23 01:28:14","description":"Instagram activism is reshaping how Singaporeans engage with social justice\u2014turning feeds into forums for climate action, queer rights, and inclusive dialogue. But what if your message could resonate even deeper? Try pictv.ai\/ to transform your advocacy visuals: generate compelling, on-brand infographics and awareness slides in seconds\u2014no design skills needed. Perfect for activists juggling studies, jobs, and impact. See how visual storytelling meets purpose: \r\nExplore pictv.ai<\/a>","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"AI-powered image to video tool","url":"https:\/\/pictv.ai\/"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/#Comment7","dateCreated":"2026-08-23 00:53:07","description":"Great piece on the evolving role of Instagram in Singapore\u2019s activist landscape! It\u2019s fascinating how visual storytelling\u2014infographics, bold typography, and shareable quotes\u2014can amplify messages and spark real dialogue. If you're crafting those eye-catching posts, you\u2019ll love 1000FontGenerator: a free, no-sign-up tool that instantly transforms plain text into 1,000+ stylish Unicode fonts\u2014perfect for standout captions, bios, or protest-themed graphics on Instagram, TikTok, or Discord. No downloads, no login\u2014just copy, paste, and post. Try it now: \r\nhttps:\/\/1000fontgenerator.com<\/a>","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"1000 Font Generator","url":"https:\/\/1000fontgenerator.com"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/#Comment8","dateCreated":"2026-08-22 22:39:23","description":"Denizli Bulut Enerji, ileri teknolojiyle donat\u0131lm\u0131\u015f Is\u0131 Pay \u00d6l\u00e7er ve Saya\u00e7 Okuma Hizmetleri sunmaktad\u0131r. Is\u0131 \u00f6l\u00e7\u00fcm\u00fc ve verimli saya\u00e7 okuma \u00e7\u00f6z\u00fcmleriyle enerji tasarrufunu desteklemeyi hedefliyoruz.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"\u0131s\u0131pay\u00f6l\u00e7er","url":"https:\/\/bulutenerjidenizli.com\/"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/#Comment9","dateCreated":"2026-08-21 10:23:10","description":"If you're inspired by Instagram activism but want to take your advocacy visuals to the next level\u2014think bold infographics, compelling before\/after edits, or dynamic video explainers\u2014check out YourArt.app. It\u2019s an AI-powered design agent with an infinite canvas, built for creators who need precision, speed, and creative freedom without the steep learning curve. Whether you're crafting climate justice slideshows or queer rights animations, it helps turn ideas into shareable, scroll-stopping content\u2014fast. Perfect for students, part-timers, and full-time advocates juggling impact and deadlines. \r\nTry YourArt.app now<\/a>","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Open YourArt","url":"https:\/\/yourart.app"}},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/#Comment10","dateCreated":"2026-08-21 00:50:29","description":"Dijital pazarlama alan\u0131nda ara\u015ft\u0131rma yaparken \u0130stanbul reklam ajanslar\u0131<\/a> aras\u0131nda **ZEYMEDYA REKLAM AJANSI | \u0130STANBUL REKLAM VE SEO AJANSI, D\u0130J\u0130TAL PAZARLAMA AJANSI, SOSYAL MEDYA AJANSI, 360 REKLAM** - \u00c7a\u011flayan, Latif Sk. No:3, 34403 Ka\u011f\u0131thane\/\u0130stanbul 0530 236 00 25 firmas\u0131n\u0131n \u00e7al\u0131\u015fmalar\u0131n\u0131 inceleme f\u0131rsat\u0131 buldum. SEO, Google Ads, sosyal medya y\u00f6netimi ve dijital reklam hizmetlerini bir arada sunmalar\u0131 olduk\u00e7a dikkat \u00e7ekici. \u00d6zellikle markalar\u0131n dijital g\u00f6r\u00fcn\u00fcrl\u00fc\u011f\u00fcn\u00fc art\u0131rmaya y\u00f6nelik profesyonel yakla\u015f\u0131mlar\u0131 g\u00fcven veriyor. \u0130stanbul'da dijital pazarlama ve reklam hizmeti almak isteyen i\u015fletmeler i\u00e7in de\u011ferlendirilebilecek ba\u015far\u0131l\u0131 ajanslardan biri oldu\u011funu d\u00fc\u015f\u00fcn\u00fcyorum.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"\u0130stanbul reklam ajanslar\u0131","url":"https:\/\/zeymedya.com\/"}}],"about":["Community","Local","Singapore"],"wordCount":3121,"articleBody":"\u2018Keyboard warrior\u2019; \u2018Social justice warrior\u2019; \u2018Slacktivist\u2019.\u00a0These phrases and portmanteaus are common insults thrown at the people who passionately advocate for the causes that are close to their hearts, in online spaces such as Instagram.\u00a0People have questioned whether those who practise digital activism and advocacy are getting any real change done. It is a concern shared by Kate Yeo, who runs @byobottlesg on Instagram, an account dedicated to sustainability and climate justice.\u00a0\u201cSocial media can also be an echo chamber,\u201d she says, \u201cin that the people reading my posts are already interested in sustainability, so I might not feel like I am making a huge difference through my social media posts alone.\u201d\u00a0There are many who also dismiss Instagram activism as performative, that it is about saying the right things and virtue signalling; making activism pretty and easy on the eye.Instagram\u2019s interface, however, has allowed many activists to carry out their work of educating and raising awareness. Countless articles on social media marketing have pointed out that Instagram is primarily a visual medium, with vibrant posts that increase engagement levels.\u00a0Perhaps, this was the same reasoning behind Instagram activism: The visual medium would serve as a useful tool for activists to \u2018market\u2019 their causes.\u00a0According to a refinery29 article, Instagram is a platform where well-designed artwork, infographics and educational slideshows are widely spread, making a lot of social movements, complex political theories and issues accessible to the masses. In turn, this has facilitated robust discussions online, where the prettier and more readable the post, the more shareable it becomes. And clearly there is some truth in the rationale, just look at the popularity of US-based Impact and So You Want To Talk About, which combined have almost five million followers.\u00a0In Singapore, a growth in social justice accounts on Instagram appears to mirror this trend.\u00a0The various pages tackle issues that range from ethnic minority issues, to queer rights and intersectional climate justice. In order to understand more about the local activist scene on Instagram, TheHomeGround Asia reached out to six prominent Instagram activists. All of them juggle advocacy with schoolwork and\/or day jobs, but have managed to create pages that are thriving, despite their overwhelming workload. They are:Sean Francis Han, a graduate student at the National University of Singapore;Sharvesh Leatchmanan, also a graduate student, majoring in gender, sexuality and women\u2019s studies;Elijah Tay, a full-time student at Nanyang Technological University and works part-time;\u00a0Kate Yeo, who awaits for university to start;\u00a0Rachel Pang, who works in an administrative role;\u00a0And Kristian-Marc Paul, who is a Diversity and Inclusion Lead in a global software corporation.Why Instagram?When asked, \u201cWhy Instagram?\u201d, the local activists we interviewed gave similar answers.\u00a0\u201cUsing Instagram would make it easier to reach out to youths,\u201d says Sean, the editor-in-chief of Wake Up Singapore. His sentiment was shared by Elijah, the founder of My Queer Story SG.\u00a0Demographic breakdown of users of Instagram in Singapore, based on a survey by Napoleon Cat, in 2019. (Image source: napoleoncat.com)Looking at the survey done by Napoleon Cat in December 2019, 60.9 per cent of Instagram users are between the ages 13 and 34, which covers both Millennials and Generation Z.\u00a0It also makes sense to reach out to youths through activism conducted online.\u00a0A 2021 study conducted by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and the Institute of Policy Studies found that while Singaporeans are typically politically apathetic, younger Singaporeans are more politically active than their older counterparts.\u00a0Young Singaporeans between the ages of 21 and 35 are also more likely to have searched for political information online, donated to campaigns and causes and signed online petitions. This means that young Singaporeans are both familiar with online spaces, where they could get exposed to activism, and are politically active enough to feel compelled to take action.\u00a0Elijah explains, \u201cInstagram is useful for sharing infographics because they can be easily shared on Stories. The 10-slide limit also helps to keep infographics succinct and easily digestible. It is also easy to collate information on Instagram, due to features such as Highlights.\u201dInstagram\u2019s messaging and story features have also made it simple for activists to spur discussions amongst both their followers and non-followers. Functions such as poll stickers and question stickers allow for people to pose questions and offer answers.Furthermore, Instagram is a place where \u201cmarginalised voices can take up space and be amplified in a way that mainstream media does not allow,\u201d notes Rachel, founder of Rachel Pang Comics. Since marginalised voices rarely get a spotlight in mainstream media, Instagram is an ideal platform to magnify such voices, which is a form of activism in and of itself.\u00a0\u201cThe culture in Singapore around the need for a stamp of legitimacy means that people do not recognise that stories or anecdotes from individuals can be valid,\u201d adds Kristian. \u201cOpinions are valid and should have the space to exist. People think that what is socially acceptable as valid information only comes from academic sources.\u201d\u00a0To that end, he states that Instagram has shone a spotlight on personal stories, in a way that mainstream media cannot.Kristian, who is a member of the editorial team at SG Climate Rally, shares that while Instagram is not their main platform for activism, it has been useful for publicising their rallies and community outreach that are performed in physical spaces.Young people holding placards at the SG Climate Rally, in 2019. (Photo source: sqfeed.com)Kate, who runs BYO Bottle SG, states that Instagram is a great way for her on two counts. The first is to educate people about intersectional climate justice and sustainability. The second, to publicise on-the-ground efforts to encourage businesses and hawker stalls to adopt the BYO (Bring Your Own) campaign in their business model. This has built credibility and more food businesses have been willing to collaborate with her.\u00a0Examples of Kate Yeo’s collaborations with businesses. (Photo source: byobottlesg \/ Instagram)How and when did Instagram activism experience a boom?The explosive growth in Instagram activism did not happen in a vacuum. Most of the events and trends that have precipitated the creation of activist pages were not controlled by these activists.\u00a0For Kate, it was the Straw-Free movement in 2018 that spurred her to take greater action in teaching people about the potential harm of single-use plastics.\u00a0In Rachel\u2019s case, the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh as a justice on the Supreme Court in the United States, combined with their trauma as a sexual assault survivor, pushed them to start their page to share comics that illuminated sensitive and emotional issues.\u00a0Wake Up Singapore found its calling out of the prevailing biases in mainstream media, and with the recent spate of racist incidents that led to the rise in visibility of Minority Voices, Wake Up Singapore ran the #CallItOut series airing personal experiences from people who had experienced racial discrimination, in Singapore.Additionally, a dearth of stories and the spread of misconceptions about marginalised communities prompted Minority Voices and My Queer Story SG.\u00a0Novelty and a hunger for authentic, relatable, and community-led alternative sources of information appears to have also been instrumental to the massive upswing in the number of people following these pages.\u00a0National events, like the General Election, have also contributed to the popularity of pages like Wake Up Singapore and SG Climate Rally.For BYO Bottle SG, a sudden spike in its number of followers came after a recent post detailing the unethical and unsustainable practices of SHEIN, a fast fashion brand.While the recent spat of racist incidents led to the rise in visibility of Minority Voices and Wake Up Singapore, which ran a #CallItOut series.What is telling is that the expansion in readership has mostly been organic. Many Instagram users have taken notice of these pages and gravitated towards its content.Instagram activism isn\u2019t just about mobilising people, it\u2019s also about sharing storiesActivism is often thought to be more about on-the-ground action, spreading the word or promoting good causes, and drafting and signing petitions. But, sometimes it can be as simple as sharing stories, which pages like My Queer Story, Minority Voices and Rachel Pang Comics have primarily set out to do.\u00a0\u201cMy Queer Story started in 2018, during the height of the Ready for Repeal (R4R) movement,\u201d says Elijah, \u201cand also after [then Education] Minister Ong Ye Kung\u2019s comments that LGBT people do not face discrimination in workplaces, or in schools in Singapore.\u201dThey continue, \u201cSomeone mentioned during the R4R townhall that by encouraging queer people to share their stories of discrimination, it would help people realise the reality of the discrimination faced by queer people. Another person mentioned that for some queer people, it might be dangerous to reveal their identity when sharing such stories if they have not come out yet. So I thought, why not create a page that allows queer people to share their stories, while also giving them the option of anonymity so that they can share their stories safely?\u201dSharvesh reveals that he had wanted to start Minority Voices in 2019, but did not have the courage to do so. He reached his tipping point, last year: \u201cI had a lot of pent-up anger and frustration around the treatment of minorities, and it reached a peak when Lianhe Zaobao ran an opinion piece on the Covid-19 crisis amongst migrant workers,\u201d he explains, \u201cessentially saying that the reason why it affected migrant workers disproportionately was because of their cultural practices of eating with their hands, and not because of dormitory conditions.\u201d\u00a0These perspectives \u201cfelt very discriminatory to me,\u201d he says. \u201cHow could you blame an entire culture for a public health crisis?\u201d\u00a0Rachel says, \u201cMost of my comics are based on my life experience,\u201d with some posts being inspired by their friends\u2019 inputs, especially for topics that are extremely sensitive.\u00a0All three activists started their pages to normalise discussing minority and queer issues through a personalised lens, and to magnify narratives that are often under- or unrepresented in mainstream media.\u00a0How do you ensure factual accuracy?Instagram is a gold mine for misinformation. And with fake news becoming more omnipresent and harder to spot, how do activists ensure accuracy in their posts?In Singapore, those who spoke to TheHomeGround Asia recognise that they have a responsibility to practise due diligence and to fact-check thoroughly. The reasons being that many readers not only look up to them, but also rely on these pages for information and news, whether solely or to supplement other sources.Sean says that most of their work involves sharing articles from mainstream media and offering different perspectives on those articles. Therefore, he thinks that there is close to no inaccuracy, since mainstream media outlets in Singapore are expected to have rigorous fact-checking processes. But, when Wake Up Singapore does share articles from less-established outlets, he notes that the team corresponds with other outlets to verify the accuracy of the story, before sharing it in their posts.\u00a0Kate and Kristian say that they gather multiple sources, sometimes up to 50 sources, especially academic journals, to instill rigour in the research process for their posts. For issues that they do not understand, the editorial team at SG Climate Rally reaches out to allies, specialists or academics to prevent inaccuracies in their content.For personal testimonials, however, \u201cbelieve victims\u201d is the principle that pages like Minority Voices and My Queer Story SG uphold. Besides, the founders of both pages argue that they cannot challenge the accuracy of personal stories of discrimination, since they were not witness to what contributors have alleged happened.\u00a0What about bias?All the activists who were interviewed state that they have been accused of being \u2018biased\u2019 or \u2018unfair\u2019. In response, they point out that the process of choosing a cause to advocate for is inherently biased.\u00a0Still, the practice of fairness offers a working solution to this conundrum, for some.Kate, for instance, shares that she tries to shed light on alternative perspectives when people bring them up in the comments section, either by editing the caption to the relevant post, or pinning the comment with the alternative viewpoint.But others say that they try \u201cto own\u201d their biases.\u00a0It makes \u201cno sense\u201d for Minority Voices, which was created to spotlight the often sidelined experiences of minorities, to cover the experiences of the Chinese majority, says Sharvesh.And in the case of Wake Up Singapore, Sean says that its bias counteracts the bias in mainstream media, Hence, the team actively strives to promote perspectives that are left out, or do not receive as much attention in mainstream news platforms.Slides from Wake Up Singapore\u2019s Instagram page, explaining the reasons for their bias. (Photo source: Wake Up Singapore \/ Instagram)\u201cThere is a crucial difference between being biased and being critical,\u201d says Kristian. \u201cWe believe that SG Climate Rally is critical.\u201d He adds that SG Climate Rally is more interested in critically analysing the motivations of institutions, such as the State, corporations and mainstream media, in how they approach climate issues.\u00a0Therefore, even though SG Climate Rally might be biased in choosing to advocate for climate justice and making their personal views known, they believe that their bias is being used for good; educating people on climate justice issues and holding powerful institutions to account. An example is its Greenwatch initiative, which was created last year to analyse the climate policies of the political parties running in Singapore\u2019s general election.\u00a0Still, there is an understanding that the optics around accusations of bias can detract from and derail its activism, says Kristian, \u201cWe try to use as many local academic sources as possible, so that we can avoid criticisms like \u2018influenced by the West\u2019.\u201d\u00a0What are the downsides to Instagram activism?Despite all the change for good that these activists try to achieve via social media, they are not immune to a fair share of hurdles and challenges.Common side effects of running these pages are burnout and emotional exhaustion.\u00a0Many say that the research and editorial work that goes into creating content is often overwhelming, especially since they also juggle school work or day jobs. Furthermore, with a growing following, there is an increased pressure to keep posting.To ameliorate this problem, Kristian says that the team at SG Climate Rally is trying to follow a content calendar, so that they can stagger their workload, and spread it evenly across the team, allowing them to post more consistently.\u00a0Kate says that she is also trying to set more boundaries and take more breaks, so that she will not exhaust herself. This is primarily because unlike SG Climate Rally, Kate is the only person running her account.\u00a0For people like Sharvesh and Elijah, since their pages deal with sensitive and emotional issues like minority and queer rights and discrimination, a lot of emotional labour is invested. Sometimes, the intensity puts them in a negative headspace or triggers them. Both are expanding their respective teams, as many hands make light work.There is also the general culture of fear that activists have to deal with on a daily basis.\u00a0Sharvesh cites the anxiety of being reported to the police, and accused of \u201cdisrupting racial harmony\u201d through his posts. Meanwhile, Sean states that the other team members behind Wake Up Singapore worry about their identities being leaked to the public.\u00a0On top of the culture of fear, activists have to face the regular barrage of critics and trolls.\u00a0\u201cI receive comments like, \u2018Oh, all the stories look like they have been written similarly, are you sure they are not fake?,\u2019 says Sharvesh, \u201cWhich is ridiculous because who thinks that I have the time to invent stories about racism?\u201d\u00a0He adds, \u201cOf course there will be people in Singapore who believe that racism does not exist, so I cannot avoid those critical comments.\u201d He tries not to take such comments personally, but when he does, it puts him in a negative space. For respite, he turns to friends for support or seeks professional help from a therapist, who guides him in processing these disruptive emotions.\u00a0Kristian says that SG Climate Rally does receive critical comments directed at them specifically, but acknowledges that they do not have to directly step in to address these comments, because the team has built an online community that engages with such critical comments, and converts those confrontations into constructive discussions.\u00a0Has Instagram activism worked?Using data like engagement numbers is unlikely to suffice when quantifying whether Instagram activism has been effective. Besides, each activist has their own unique goals to achieve.By and large, though, Instagram activism has been useful in raising awareness and educating people. As a loud hailer, Wake Up Singapore has been able to boost stories and perspectives that otherwise would not have had as wide a reach.\u00a0Sharing personal stories of discrimination through Minority Voices and My Queer Story SG has also helped increase the public\u2019s understanding of what it means to be a minority, or queer in Singapore, further dispelling any myths or misconceptions.The rates of learning and discussion have also risen because of Instagram activism.\u00a0While there are concerns about echo chambers, Instagram posts and stories are still accessible (via sharing, for instance) to those who might not be following these activists, or hold contrarian views. With such conversations taking place in the online space, everyone stands to widen their knowledge and understanding of complex and nuanced issues.While Instagram activism is limited when it comes to achieving the \u2018big\u2019 goals, such as legislative and structural change, it has invariably made waves in Singapore\u2019s society.\u00a0Many people in positions of power, including politicians and state officials, are starting to take notice of what these activists have to say.\u00a0Last year, the elections were dubbed the first \u2018social media election\u2019. Prominent Instagram activists and personalities, who were also from Generation Z, rallied to support opposition politicians, by educating their followers on opposition manifestos, and even held informal interviews with some opposition politicians.Indeed, Instagram is proving to be a viable platform for activism.\u00a0As ground-up movements in Singapore become more adept at employing social media to champion their causes and the rights of marginalised communities, and their supporters\u2019 voices grow louder and more emboldened, their ability to create change would be further assured.\u00a0With time, this ‘Instagramification’ of activism could lead to concrete systemic improvements for the greater good. As prominent American racial justice activist Gary Chambers Jr. says, \u201cThe revolution may not be televised. But they ain\u2019t said nothing about social media.\u201dJoin the conversations on TheHomeGround Asia’s Facebook and Instagram, and get the latest updates via Telegram."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Destinations","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Singapore","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/\/singapore\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The revolution will be carried out on Instagram","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-revolution-will-be-carried-out-on-instagram\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]