More Than a Hashtag: Two Powerful Ways People Create Change Online

If you’ve ever felt the urge to get involved with a cause you care about, the online world can seem like a vast and overwhelming place to start. It’s easy to feel like you’re just one voice among millions. But what does “getting involved” online really look like? The truth is, there are many different and equally valuable ways to contribute.

In simple terms, digital activism is the practice of using online tools—like social media, podcasts, and community forums—to advocate for social or political change. It’s about channeling online energy into real-world impact.

This article will explore two powerful but very different approaches to digital activism by looking at the work of two real people: @CanFella, a community builder, and @ADanielHill, an expert advocate. Their stories show that you don’t need to be a celebrity or a politician to make a difference; you just need to find the role that fits you best.

Let’s begin by exploring how collective, community-driven efforts can create tangible change.

Helen, known online as @CanFella, is a Canadian activist and a dedicated member of a large online community called NAFO (the North Atlantic Fella Organization). Her activism is focused on a single, clear mission: supporting Ukraine by combating Russian disinformation online and fundraising for its military units. She channels the community’s energy toward providing tangible aid, such as Starlinks, electronic warfare systems, and vehicles.

Helen’s method is rooted in collective action. Instead of acting alone, she leverages the strength of the NAFO community to amplify her efforts and achieve concrete goals. Her key strategies demonstrate the power of working together.

• Strategic Fundraising: Helen amplifies fundraisers for specific, vetted military units like the Perun Unmanned Systems Battalion (42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade) and the Gimli Division (117th Heavy Mechanized Brigade). This approach turns online awareness into tangible, life-saving aid. By collaborating with trusted volunteers on the ground, like @tanyawoz4, she ensures every dollar is accounted for, building credibility and trust that maximizes the real-world impact of community donations.
• Empathetic Community Engagement: She uses humor, memes, and an empathetic, positive tone to foster a sense of unity and resilience within the NAFO community. This builds a strong, supportive network that can withstand the emotional toll of activism and keeps motivation high, encouraging sustained participation.
• Diplomatic Counter-Disinformation: As an active member of NAFO, Helen contributes to the group’s collective effort to challenge propaganda. Her approach is strategic and diplomatic; she avoids conflict unless provoked by clear disinformation, using the community’s united voice to correct the record more effectively than any single individual could.

@CanFella’s work is a powerful example of how a group of dedicated individuals, united by a common purpose, can translate online engagement into tangible, real-world support. Her activism shows that you don’t have to be the sole leader of a movement; being a reliable, positive, and dedicated community builder is an incredibly powerful role.

Now, let’s turn to a different style of activism—one that is driven by a deeply personal story and individual expertise.

The Community Builder: How @CanFella Rallies a Collective for a Cause2.1. Who is @CanFella?2.2. The Power of the Group2.3. The Impact of a Collective Voice