Facebook Helps The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Go Viral

In case you haven’t noticed it yet, the latest trend on the internet is the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge which has recently intrigued many celebrities to participate. The main way it was spread was through Facebook.
ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and according to Wikipedia, it is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterised by muscle spasticity, rapidly progressive weakness due to muscle atrophy, difficulty in speaking (dysarthria), swallowing (dysphagia), and breathing (dyspnea).

Also Read: Selfies and Brands – The New Love Marketing

In an effort to increase the awareness for ALS, the Ice Bucket Challenge began… It all started in Boston and expanded from there, throughout the world. Social media, and especially Facebook, made it possible for the effort to become super popular in just a few hours – things really took off when Mark Zuckerberg himself decided to participate. So far we have seen other tech VIPs like Bill Gates, or celebs also participate – Justin Timberlake, Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, LeBron James, Eva Longoria and many others.
The virality of the challenge has led to 15 million posts, comments, likes on Facebook alone, as well as 1.2 million videos being posted between June 1 and August 13.

What is even more important though, is the fact that from July 31 to August 14, over $7.6 million have been raised, to support ALS research. This is five times more than the amount collected for the same cause during the same period in 2013.

Other than Facebook, the challenge also spread to Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube as well, mostly through cross-platform publishing. Nevertheless, Facebook became the primary source of reference for the specific challenge. This success is a proof that social media can be used effectively for good causes, spreading an important message throughout the world in a matter of seconds. All we have to do is actually believe in their beneficial use.

If I had to pick my favourite #ALSIceBucketChallenge video, then I’d have to go with Bill Gates’. Which is your favourite?

Brrr! I dumped ice water on my head to raise awareness for ALS. Over to you, @ryanseacrest, @elonmusk, and @TEDchris http://t.co/ZzqmhkGbMS

— Bill Gates (@BillGates) August 15, 2014

Related Stories:

• The Blacklist – Can You Clear Your Name With Facebook?
• 399 Million People Use Facebook Only From Mobile
• Facebook Is Putting An End To Like-Gating

More from Facebook

What Happens When Facebook “Steals” Your Corporate Visual Identity

Posted On June 20, 2019 Geoff Desreumaux 0

While many are not convinced about Facebook entering the world of financial services, one bank might have one good reason …

5 Things You Need To Know About Libra, Facebook’s New Cryptocurrency

Posted On June 18, 2019 Geoff Desreumaux 0

Facebook has officially unveiled Libra, a new cryptocurrency. Like with everything it does, Facebook has big plans for Libra.

Facebook Updates Factors That Determine The Ranking Of Post Comments

Posted On June 17, 2019 George Carey-Simos 0

In an effort to make public post comments more meaningful, Facebook is updating the factors that determine how comments are …

Editor Picks

Stranger Things’ Steve And Dustin Are Best Friends In The New Coca-Cola Ad

June 19, 2019 0

Discover This ‘Stranger Things’ Escape Room In Seoul

June 19, 2019 0

This Week: The 10 Most Talked About TV Ads On Social

June 17, 2019 0

This Week: The 10 Most Talked About TV Ads On Social

June 8, 2019 0