Thea is name of a 12-year-old girl who has taken over the Internet for her child marriage, which is set to take place on October 11, 2014, which happens to be UN’s International Day of the Girl Child. Coincidence? As it turns out, the child marriage is a ploy by Plan Norway to bring awareness to these events around the world. Initially reported as a real life occurrence, the child marriage campaign have drummed up quite the response.
People have rallied against the child marriage, using the hash tag #StoptheWedding in order to put an end to the exchange of vows before it's too late. Now the most-read blog in Norway, Thea's account of her upcoming child marriage is eye-opening. Plan Norway can only hope that more than words are inspired after all is said and done.
Child Marriage Movements (UPDATE)
Plan Norway Reveals 12-Year-Old Thea is Part of a Viral Campaign
Trend Themes
1. Stop the Wedding Movement - The increasing awareness of child marriage as a social issue presents an opportunity to create marketing campaigns focused on ending the practice.
2. Viral Campaigns for Social Causes - Brands can leverage the power of social media to engage the public and raise awareness about social issues like child marriage.
3. Advocacy Through Social Media - The widespread use of social media provides the opportunity for organisations to create movements and campaigns that can drive social change.
Industry Implications
1. Social Advocacy Groups - Advocacy groups have the opportunity to leverage the power of social media to create movements that generate public awareness about issues like child marriage.
2. Marketing and Advertising - Marketing campaigns can be used to educate people about the risks and dangers of child marriage as well as ways to prevent it.
3. Education and Awareness - Educational institutions have an opportunity to educate young people, increasing awareness about the practice of child marriage and emphasising the importance of ending it.