Before the internet, protesters lacked social media's networking capabilities that allow movements to coordinate and share information in real time. But now, movements have the ability to grow so rapidly that they skip preparation stages that are often vital to movement success.
Social media has transformed the way that modern wars are fought. From the battlefields of eastern Ukraine to the bot factories of St. Petersburg, ordinary citizens with no military training are changing the course of conflicts with nothing more than a laptop or iPhone.
Increased results are found when groups escalate the occurrence and methods during their nonviolent protests.
"Social media networks equip activists and intellectuals with avenues to raise issues of importance for their constituencies and networks"
In conflict, the speed and spread of information is increased by social media, and makes communication for individuals and groups easier.