Online Petitions: Are Online Petitions Good Or Bad?

Nowadays, it could be said that the average person has far more control than they did in the past, and this is primarily due to the internet. Through going online, one will have the chance to share their views and to have an impact on what takes place in the world.

When it comes to sharing their views, this is something that can take place through having their own blog. But if this is not something that appeals to them, they can simply create their own videos.
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Self-Expression

As a result of this, one could end up spending a lot of time sharing their views with the world. On one hand, they may have a few hundred followers and, on the other, they could have thousands or even millions of people who listen to what they have to say.

But regardless of how many people listen to them, this is going to be something that wouldn’t have been possible in the past. The only way it would have happened is if they knew the right people, or if they held a certain position.

Another Route

Yet, if one doesn’t want to have their own blog or create videos, for instance, it doesn’t mean that they will have to keep their views to themselves. The only thing they will have to do is to use social media.

One will be able to share their views on their wall and they can comment on what other people say. And, if they don’t want to reveal their identity, they can choose to keep it hidden.

A Different Experience

Now, even though one will be able to share their views, it doesn’t mean that they will necessarily have an effect on something.  However, though being able to share their views, it can have a positive effect on their well-being.

For example, if one of their friends was to ask them about their opinion on something, it can cause them to believe that their opinion matters. As to whether their opinion will change anything can be irrelevant; what matters is that they have been asked.

Connected

This can allow them to feel as though they have a sense of control; whereas the alternative would be for them to be ignored. This could then cause them to believe that they are not important, and this can cause them to feel as though they don’t have any control.

What this shows is how important it is to be heard, and this is an important need that all human beings have. Through having the option to get something of their chest, it can stop them from doing something destructive.

Behind A Screen

What can also make it easier for one to express themselves is that they are not going to be directly in front of other people. Therefore, if they have something to say that makes them feel unconformable, it can be easy to talk about it online.

If one is suffering mentally and emotionally, for instance, they could share what is going on for them and receive support from others. Along with this, if one is aware of something that is causing other people harm, they can also talk about it.

A Voice

In the past, there is a strong chance that they wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it, and it would then be normal for them to feel powerless. And the people who were suffering would have continued to suffer.

What this comes down to is that it would have been a lot easier for people to be exploited in the past. Without being able to go online and to tell people about what was going on, it would have been a lot harder.

Another Option

In addition to this, one now has the ability to sign online petitions, and these will generally relate to things that need to change in the world. And, if one is aware of something that needs to change, they can start their own.

Also, through singing up to the different organisations that run these petitions, it can allow them to be informed about what needs to be changed in the world. If this wasn’t the case, it would cause them to be unaware of these things.

One Part

It could be said that when it comes to changing something, it is going to be vital for people to know about what needs to be changed. As without this, it is not going to be possible for them to do anything about it.

The next step is then going to be for people to do something about what is taking place. In this sense, even if a petition is started and nothing happens, it can still result in progress being made.

The Other Side

At the same time, this can also set people up to believe that the only thing they need to do to change the world is to sign a petition. One can sign one and they can go away feeling as though they are making a difference.

There is then chance that what they have done will lead to a positive outcome, but it might not. And even if one was to sign something, it doesn’t mean that they care about something; the only thing it could show is that they didn’t want to feel guilty by not signing it.

A Hidden Agenda

At times, these petitions are going to cover important matters, but at other times, they can simply be a way for people to control others. What this shows that while something can start of on the right foot, so to speak, it can end up going off track.

It is then not going to be about changing what needs to be changed, it can be about changing things that are seen as being ‘offensive’. Through being able to start a petition so easily, this can cause them to be nothing more than mini-dictators.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether something is good or bad depends on how it is used, and online petitions are not different. Before one signs or creates one, it might be a good idea for them to take step back and to reflect on why they want to do this. 

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Oliver JR Cooper
http://www.oliverjrcooper.co.uk