Using Social Media for the Greater Good

The latest trend among social media enthusiasts is using sites like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to promote random acts of kindness and other "social good" campaigns.  There are numerous movements being leveraged on social networks, both by grass-roots, non-profit organizations and individuals who blog simply for a hobby.  One campaign, Operation NICE, is a blog created by a woman who experienced a random act of kindness when a stranger held an elevator door open for her.  She decided to "pay it forward" in a very large, very cool way.  People can share their own kindness stories, post inspirational photos and videos, and download a badge graphic to display on their personal blog.  The campaign has experienced great success, with press coverage from The New York Times, Good Morning America, and Better Holmes and Gardens Magazine.  Operation NICE has morphed into its own social network, all because of one simple act of kindness by a stranger.  How awesome is that?

Another movement promoting social AND environmental change is Brighter Planet's 350 Challenge, a side project of Brighter Planet and 350.org that is seeking to decrease mankind's carbon footprint.  The purpose of the 350 Challenge is to invite a blogger to take the pledge, post a badge on his or her website, and inturn, the organization will offset 350 pounds of carbon on the blogger's behalf.  The campaign reached its 350 bloggers goal, meaning that 122,500 pounds of carbon were offset.  Tree Hugger is a website that lists the 350 Challenge, as well as numerous other social and environmental change movements that are using social media to promote their causes.

So what exactly does Twitter have to do with helping to make the world a better place?  As history shows, people that are passionate about a particular cause have always been able to make a difference, have done so through traditional non-profit organizations. Social networks simply provide these individuals and organizations with another promotional tool to raise awareness about a cause, gain support, and spread the word. The ability of social media to quickly connect one person to the world makes it easier for invested people to create change without having to jump through all the legal hoops and hurdles to get a campaign off the ground.

Related Article: Mashable's Why Social Media is Reinventing Activism.