The social movement is social action for social, political, economic, or environmental change, an action undertaken collectively to lessen or resolve a social problem. Different strategies have been used in the social movements depending on socio-political situations, the goal and cause of the movement, and resources at the disposal of the activists. Some common strategies used in social movements are mass mobilisation, non-violent protests and persuasion, legislative advocacy, media advocacy, public interest litigation, lobbying the bureaucrats, and so on.

Access to digital social media has inspired and influenced activists to find and create new avenues for their cause. Digital social media is conceived to form the 'third environment' as an ideological arena for activists and aid activists to form an alternative public sphere. The philosopher Javier Echeverria mentions the rise of the 'third environment' (1999) that refers to electronic space made up of digital media technologies in opposition to the first two: nature and the city.

The Internet plays a crucial role in the operation of contemporary social movements. In addition, the Internet has been proven to be an effective communication tool for intra and inter-group mobilisation. Digital social media, by enabling the mobilisation of individuals horizontally, has altered the organisational dynamics of social movement. Numerous examples from the Zapatistas, colour revolutions of Eastern Europe, Occupy Wall Street, the Arab Spring, and the Me-Too movement have demonstrated the strength of digital social media in informing, connecting, and mobilising the masses.

The resource mobilisation framework corroborates the uses of digital media and digital technologies and unleashes a new perspective on social movement literature. The utility social network can quickly foster communication, disseminate information and strengthen ties among activists while publicising social movements.

Connections developed in small networks of individuals, which may be extended to a larger scale, benefit more from digital media usage. Digital media has encouraged planning for social action, membership, and organisation, building consensus among the existing collectives and beyond. All these are possible through the avenues of participation provided by digital social media.

Digital tools and technologies not only reshape the forms of social movements but also familiarise us with newer types of resistance culture. With instant sharing features, digital platforms like social networking sites help people communicate, understand perception, and organise within social circles.

Being merely a recent origin, the term hashtag activism aims to raise awareness of social issues and encourage debates via hashtags on social media. The hashtag has been a powerful social media tool that can be easily used without restriction. It represents and establishes equal participation of all in the online world. #FridaysForFuture, a protest carried out in 2018 by Greta Thunberg, a 15- year-old who stood every day in front of the Swedish parliament for three weeks in response to the lack of action to address the climate crisis.

In India, digital activism tools were used during the movement of Anna Hazare, when civil society pursued to challenge the government's secrecy. Netizens shared posts, arranged mass agitation on the streets, and forced the government to pass the Lokpal Bill, India against corruption.

Hashtag activism, #NotInMyName, initiated by Saba Dewan, an Indian filmmaker, protested against the lynching of Muslims and Dalits in India, following which people participated in a silent pan-Indian protest rally.

Challenges

• Echo chambers and polarization:Algorithm-driven content curation can reinforce existing beliefs, hindering constructive dialogue between opposing viewpoints.
• Misinformation:The rapid spread of unverified information can lead to confusion and exacerbate tensions, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Privacy concerns:Activists risk personal data breaches, which can lead to harassment or targeting by opposition groups.
• Slacktivism:Online engagement may not translate into offline action, creating what sociologist Evgeny Morozov calls an illusion of meaningful participation.
• Surveillance and censorship:Governments can monitor online activities, leading to suppression of dissent. Some regimes have implemented internet shutdowns to stifle movements.

Digital social media creates unprecedented prospects for information flow, emotional expression, social influence, and even independent democratic revolution. However, digital media allows for an extreme form of narrowcasting and information filtering that might go against the interests of civil society.