Can Your Smartphone Change the World?

by Erinne Paisley

Overview

A twenty-first-century guide for anyone who has access to a smartphone.

This how-to manual looks at specific ways you can create social change through the tap of a screen. Filled with examples of successful hashtag campaigns, viral videos and new socially conscious apps, the book provides practical advice for using your smartphone as a tool for social justice and online activism.

This is the first book in the PopActivism series, which includes Can Your Outfit Change the World? and Can Your Conversations Change the World?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459813052
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	09/12/2017
Series:	PopActivism Series , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
Lexile:	1100L (what's this?)
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	12 - 16 Years

About the Author

Erinne Paisley is an activist, public speaker, youth content developer and writer. She was awarded one of ten University of Toronto National Scholarships and graduated with a BA in Peace, Conflict, and Justice&Book and Media Studies from the University of Toronto, Trinity College. She has since gone on to study and lecture at the University of Amsterdam. She is also the author of the PopActivism series.

Table of Contents

Chapter one: The Girl in the Paper Dress
Chapter two: How Smart is Your Smartphone?
Chapter three: A Boy Scout, an Artist and a Rapper
Chapter four: Can YouTube Change the World?
Chapter five: Can Your #Insta Change the World?
Chapter six: Can Your Tweet Change the World?
Chapter seven: Social Media Champions
Chapter eight: Action Now!
Glossary
Resources
Acknowledgments

Editorial Reviews

"Hand this book to your teens or anyone who could use some positive inspiration on how to make a difference in the world."

Books in Bloom blog Mackin

"Both a how-to for getting your socially conscious voice heard online, and a love letter to others who have proven it can be done."

Quill & Quire

"Can Your Smartphone Change the World? is a wonderful resource to use with upper intermediate and high school grades to promote leadership skills…Many great conversations can be started after reading this book."

Canadian Teacher

"No matter your passion, there is something to attract nearly every reader…Whether you are social-media savvy or looking to make a small impact with your wallet, Paisley's popactivist pieces offer an array of ways to change the world, one click at a time."

Canadian Children's Book News

"Paisley encourages readers to get involved. Her Pop Quiz pages suggest ways to get started. This highly recommended book is a must for every Intermediate library. Imagine how a group of kids from your school could use the ideas to change the world."

Resource Links

"Teens tired of hearing the complaint, 'You're always glued to your phone', will find this first entry in the PopActivism series to be vindicating and inspiring. Highly Recommended."

CM Magazine

"Written in simple, appealing language, there is something for everyone in this small but mighty book."

School Library Connection

"Both a how-to for getting your socially conscious voice heard online, and a love letter to others who have proven it can be done."

Quill & Quire Omni

08/01/2017
Gr 6 Up—In this lively first installment, author/activist Paisley recounts her experience in creating a social media awareness campaign. This showcase of youth-created campaigns, which have ignited international conversations about gender equality, homophobia, bullying, and environmental justice, will give naysayers pause. Paisley, readers might remember, went viral with her dress made with old homework that sported the red-inked message, "I've received my education. Not every woman has that right." (She donated the money saved by making her prom dress to the Malala Fund.) Paisley details the life-changing experience of having hundreds, then thousands of "likes," and the consequent media exposure given to the cause. The chapters are easy to digest with photos, quotes, statistics, and a thought-provoking series of pop quizzes (each visually laid out as if on a cell phone) to get teen readers to plan and create their own campaigns. Detailed ways young activists can use Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube will educate the adults in young people's lives as well. This DIY activism series will find a wide audience with digital media fanatics in search of a raison d'etre. VERDICT These stories about kids who used art, fashion, music, and media to spread a political message of empathy and altruism will inspire readers to use that powerful device stored in their pockets for good. A fabulous addition to nonfiction collections.—Sara Lissa Paulson, City-As-School High School, New York City

School Library Journal

2017-06-05
Paisley offers short overviews of various social justice campaigns whose advocates have used social media to get the word out. Canadian teen Paisley recounts her surprise when photos posted online of her prom dress—made from old math homework papers and tape—went viral. She'd inscribed a phrase on the dress calling attention to gender disparity in access to schooling as well as the URL for malala.org and used the opportunity to call attention to equal-education champion Yousafzai's organization. From this starting point, Paisley explores a number of other instances in which platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter have been used by activists, both celebrities and not, to promote causes such as mental health awareness, climate change, feminism, LGBTQ rights, and food insecurity. In brief, clear chapters, augmented with plentiful photos, pull quotes, and pop quizzes that pose questions and conversation starters, she employs an upbeat conversational tone in addressing her audience. Her blend of personal story, tips, and information will appeal to activism-minded teens, though the print format requires readers to take a few extra steps to connect to the many mentioned hashtags, YouTube channels, and other online sources. Further guides written by Paisley in this Popactivism series are also slated for upcoming publication. Older preteens and teens will find plenty of inspiration here. (Nonfiction. 10-18)

Kirkus Reviews