PRIVACY SETTINGS

I remember the first time I was guilty of what we would now call ‘virtue signalling’. I would describe the action in two words, and if you’re about my age, 25, these words will induce a full body and soul cringe, or you won’t know what I’m talking about. The words are: Stop Kony.

For those who aren’t familiar, Joseph Kony is a Ugandan warlord, and in 2012, a non-profit called Invisible Children ran an awareness campaign about his crimes against humanity. Teenagers were implored to do something, including changing their Facebook profile picture to a square containing the words: ‘Stop Kony’. At 16, I was one such teen. Needless to say, I did not ‘stop’ anything.

When I talk to friends about their experiences with activism and social media – whether it be sharing proof of charitable