This study focuses on the use of Facebook, on the popular social network sites, in the practice of social movements. Two broad research questions are asked in this paper: (1) how does Facebook, as a social media, influence the practice of social movement and (2) how does social movement on the Internet differ from the traditional social movement?
By using the White Rose Movement, a social movement both taking place on Facebook and on the street, as the research case, this paper uses in-depth interview to investigate the different between online and offline social movement.
The research outcome found that with Facebook’s interpersonal networks, online social movement can quickly build up consensus among the participants of the movement, mobilize, and formulate organizations in the general public. Therefore, Facebook actually enhances the practice of social movements.
