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Week 10: DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONFLICT

With its unmatched capacity for communication and information exchange, social media has unquestionably established itself as a fundamental component of our online existence. But this connectivity also creates an environment that is conducive to conflict. Anonymity, quick communication, and echo chambers—the very characteristics that unite us—can exacerbate online conflicts and even turn them into full-fledged social media warfare. This calls for an important discussion on digital citizenship and how to handle the complexity of conflicts on social media.

In addition to social media confict, it is undeniable that verbal and physical forms of harassment are common on the internet and impact a significant portion of the populace. One prevalent component is the deliberate use of harsh, threatening, or insulting information to target certain individuals or groups (Wolak, Mitchell & Finkelhor, 2007). To futher understand harrashment on online platform, we will come to cyberbullying which is a terrible and pervasive problem that harms people by taking advantage of technology. It can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, all intended to cause the victim pain or embarrassment. Sending offensive or even violent emails that are unsolicited or threatening might be one way to do this. Bullies may even attempt to enlist the help of others by flooding the victim's email account with messages or repeatedly sending the same emails. They can use social media, messaging apps, and any other internet platform to disseminate rumors and misleading information. Creating disparaging remarks about the victim on the internet could be the worst strategy. This involves disseminating false or disparaging information in an attempt to damage their reputation (Government of Canada 2020).

In order to deal with cyberbullying, Law and e-safety commisioner need to come into effect. To be more specific, Australian law does not specifically forbid cyberbullying. Nonetheless, the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995(Cth), which outlaws severe online harassment, applies to all states and territories. The Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) of Australia prohibits the publication or uploading of objectionable content on the internet. In Section 474.17, If a statement has the potential to incite fury, shame, contempt, or anger, it may be offensive. For this kind of offense, the maximum punishment is three years in jail and/or a fine of up to $30,000. Moreover, in section 474.15, the maximum sentence for this offense is ten years in jail. Under the same clause, a person faces a maximum sentence of seven years in jail if they willfully threaten someone with significant harm by phone, text message, email, or internet post (criminal code act 1994 Cth).

It is not until 2022 that the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth) came into force, following an increasing number of offenses pertaining to cyberbullying. Acts issued by the E-Safety Commissioner are four: to provide a channel for complaints in order to shield adults from severe internet abuse, to bridge the loopholes in the current state and territorial legislation against online abuse; To prevent minors from being the targets of cyberbullying by developing systems to detect and handle this kind of content; To provide guidelines to make the removal of harmful and abusive information easier. The Act gives the eSafety Commissioner the power to gather information to help identify and prosecute cyberbullies and to force the removal of offensive content, all under the threat of fines and injunctions. According to the Commonwealth Penalty Unit, the Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth) maximum penalty for an infringement is a fine.

Reference list

Commonwealth Consolidated Acts (2022). ONLINE SAFETY ACT 2021 - SECT 5 Definitions. [online] Australasian Legal Information Institute. Available at: https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/osa2021154/s5.html#cyber-bullying_material_targeted_at_an_australian_child [Accessed 17 Mar. 2024].

Government of Canada, CC for OH and S 2020, Internet Harassment or Cyberbullying: OSH Answers, www.ccohs.ca.

ONLINE SAFETY ACT 2021 - SECT 5 Definitions 2022, classic.austlii.edu.au, viewed 11 March 2024, <https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/osa2021154/s5.html#cyber-bullying_material_targeted_at_an_australian_child>.

Wolak, J, Mitchell, KJ & Finkelhor, D 2007, ‘Does Online Harassment Constitute Bullying? an Exploration of Online Harassment by Known Peers and Online-Only Contacts’, Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 41, no. 6, Elsevier BV, pp. S51–S58.

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Week 9: GAMING COMMUNITIES, SOCIAL GAMING AND LIVE STREAMING

The gaming industry has changed dramatically in the last few years, going well beyond the lone player's experience hooked to a console. These days, a thriving web of gaming communities, social gaming environments, and live streaming services has created a special online environment where entertainment, competitiveness, and connection all come together.

A gaming community is a collection of people who meet together because they have an interest in video games. Because it's now simpler than ever to connect with people across scenes and spread dependent music, Kruse cautions that "looking at scenes in isolation makes even less sense" in the networked age (Kruse, 2010). In fact, it may be argued that videogame production is trans-local as well as local, with social media and online communities linking and occasionally even producing scenes outside of physical constraints (Kerr, 2017; Parker, & Jenson, 2017). Gamers have been searching for other players who share their interests since the beginning of video gaming. Gaming communities have had a significant impact on the evolution of games from simple amusement to genuine cultural phenomenon, from the first pixel adventures to today's multiplayer online worlds (Games 2023). These communities are mostly found on social media platforms like Reddit, Steam Community, and Discord, or in online gaming settings. Several of them can build bonds with each other by engaging in real-world activities. Events like DreamHack, Taipei Game Show, and Gamescom have been held to connect players and demonstrate advancements in the gaming industry.

In addition to social game community, with the face that more and more players want to compete each other in a more professional way, many competitve game have create tournament also known as e-sport. The term "e-sports," sometimes known as "electronic sports," was first used to describe professional competitive video gaming in the late 1990s (Bornemark, 2013). Over the years, e-sports have expanded rapidly, going from small-scale player meetups to large-scale competitions that pack stadiums and draw millions of viewers online. The esports gaming community is made up of players, teams, coaches, analysts, commentators, organizers, sponsors, and fans. It is a varied and fervent community. According to the competitive of not only player but also game developer and brands, the esports industry is also a multi-billion dollar enterprise fueled by sponsorships, advertising, and media rights. Major advertisers are keen to reach the youthful and enthusiastic esports audience, from software firms to apparel behemoths. Moreover, esports material has been centrally located on streaming services like Twitch and YouTube Gaming, a type of real-time video social media combines online gaming with conventional broadcasting (Li, Wang & Liu 2020), where viewers can watch live broadcasts, highlights, and commentary from experts and professional players.

This "Official Energy Drink of Esports" case study is possibly THE BEST in the gaming industry for non-endemic brand development. They have enormous wiggle room for tactical errors because they have been so committed to this domain for so long. Financial data is not easily accessible because the firm is private, however in 2020, its total revenues could surpass $100 million. Considering that this energy drink is made of powder and is only now starting to be sold in stores, it's not too awful.

Reference list

Bornemark, O. (2013, June). Success factors for e-sport games. In Umeå’s 16th Student Conference in Computing Science (pp. 1-12).

Kruse, Holly. 2010. “Local Identity and Independent Music Scenes, Online and Off”. Popular Music and Society 33(5): 625–639.

‘Energy Drinks in Esports and Gaming’ n.d., www.linkedin.com, viewed <https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/energy-drinks-esports-gaming-mark-flood/>.

Games, BG 2023, Gaming Communities: The Rise and Impact of Gaming Communities on the World of Video Games, Medium, viewed 21 March 2024, https://bggames.medium.com/gaming-communities-the-rise-and-impact-of-gaming-communities-on-the-world-of-video-games-1fec152f649f.

Li, Y, Wang, C & Liu, J 2020, ‘A Systematic Review of Literature on User Behavior in Video Game Live Streaming’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, no. 9, p. 3328.

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Week 8: Face Filters

Filtering Our Reality: Face Filters and the Fun (and Maybe Not-So-Fun) of Social Media

Face filters are fun, let's face it. Who doesn't like taking a photo with freckles from the sun, looking like a cat, or applying sparkly virtual makeup? They're a lighthearted approach for us to express ourselves and liven up our social media presence. I have been wondering, though, if face filters are going too far these days.

When talking about face filter, it is undeniable that one popular social networking platform is Instagram, where users may share mostly photographs and videos. Instagram's filters are among its most prominent features which are getting more and more popular thanks to this app. Instagram-style filters can provide a sense of novelty to our regular images and selfies, but the impact of defamiliarization wears off and turns into a cliché since the filter is used so frequently (Jill Walker Rettberg 2014). Our ordinary images aren't meant to be works of art, though, for the most part. In an attempt to promote unrealistic beauty standards, Instagram filters often distort face features, body proportions, and skin tones. Moreover, when people compare themselves to the idealized images of themselves shown in filtered pictures, an excessive usage of filters can result in poor self-esteem and dissatisfaction with one's actual looks. This might lead to anxiety over one's own standards of beauty. When exposed to media information often, viewers begin to accept media visuals as accurate depictions of reality (Grabe, 2008).

Positively, filters provide a variety of artistic opportunities. They may improve a picture's aesthetic appeal and turn a common snapshot into a piece of art. A well-selected filter has the power to convey a specific tone or aesthetic, enabling users to visually represent who they are. In addition to being instructional tools, filters may introduce viewers to various color schemes and photographic styles. In addition, filters have the potential to enhance confidence, especially for those who are self-conscious about their looks (Jill Walker Rettberg 2014). Users are encouraged to submit photographs they may not have otherwise, thanks to brief confidence boosts from subtle blemish-reducing filters or skin-smoothing effects. As a result, it may also be a means of self-expression, giving users the chance to experiment with virtual cosmetics or fantasy effects and try out various styles. In addition, the environment is compounded by gender and filters (Iftikhar et al, 2023) discovered that although both sexes utilize Instagram altering filters, women do so more frequently. To sum up, Instagram filters are a double-edged sword. Though they provide opportunities for creativity, self-assurance, and artistic expression, their excessive usage can lead to unattainable beauty standards, encourage inauthenticity, and impede the advancement of photographic abilities. The secret is to utilize it responsibly. While filters are a great tool for adding fun to images and expressing oneself, they shouldn't be used as a crutch that distorts reality or takes the place of actual connection.

Reference list

Grabe, S, Ward, LM & Hyde, JS 2008, “The Role of the Media in Body Image Concerns Among Women: A Meta-Analysis of Experimental and Correlational Studies,” Psychological bulletin, vol. 134, no. 3, American Psychological Association, WASHINGTON, pp. 460–476.

Iftikhar, I, Bushra Yasmeen, Nadeem, M & Ahmad, N 2023, ‘Filtered reality: Exploring gender differences in Instagram use, social conformity pressure, and regret among young adults’, Journal of Human Behavior in The Social Environment, Haworth Press, pp. 1–19.

Jill Walker Rettberg 2014, Seeing ourselves through technology : how we use selfies, blogs and wearable devices to see and shape ourselves, Palgrave Macmillan Uk, London, England.

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Week 7: Body Modification

The pornification of, well, everything is something that has been bothering me recently. Let's speak about it. The primary source of this is social media, but it can be found everywhere: in obscenely provocative advertisements and influencer photos in skimpy attire. It seems strange when everything starts to resemble a softcore music video, don't get me wrong, I'm all for body positivity and confidence. Consider this: how often have you felt that your Instagram feed is merely a series of thirst-quenchers when you browse through it? It wears me out! Furthermore, it might be quite disorienting for younger kids to be inundated with these pictures all the time. It doesn't precisely provide positive standards for partnerships and dating.

The term "pornification" describes how advances in technology have affected the production, accessibility, and use of pornographic material. Pornification can also refer to broad opening up and deregulation processes in the domain of pornography, in addition to technical advances in the media (Paasonen 2016). Pornification is the portrayal of straight people in a way that is 'porn chic' with the intention of appealing to men (Drenten, Gurrieri, & Tyler 2019). Particularly in the present day, a growing number of social media platforms permit pornographic content. Instagram, one of the largest social media platforms worldwide, has experienced issues with pornography. Despite the implementation of material control and community guidelines, sexually explicit or suggestive information can still be found on Instagram.

It's time to press the reset button. Although social media may be a fantastic medium for expressing oneself, the main goal shouldn't be to appear as though you belong on a magazine cover. Let's honor uniqueness, originality, and authenticity! More exists in life and in each of us than counting the number of likes we can get on a skimpy selfie. To be more specific, Instagram users who want to participate in controlled sexualized shoutouts can take a screenshot of a female user's uploaded image, submit it to the page, and tag the original user in the image or description. As a result, sexualized shoutout pages serve as a methodical starting point for our search for specific female Instagram users who have garnered a lot of attention (Drenten, Gurrieri & Tyler 2019). They also reflect attention currency on the network. Taking everything into consideration, the utilization of microcelebrities underscores the significance of producing and consuming content responsibly, given the social ramifications of pornography. By acknowledging the ways in which production, distribution, and consumption influence societal perspectives on health and body image, we can create a more encouraging and welcoming atmosphere for everybody. Laws that prioritize mental health and well-being must be changed, as well as increased awareness and education, in order to address negative body image and body dysmorphic disorder.

Reference list

Drenten, J, Gurrieri, L & Tyler, M 2019, ‘Sexualized labour in digital culture: Instagram influencers, porn chic and the monetization of attention’, Gender, Work & Organization, vol. 27, no. 1.

Paasonen, S, Kaarina Nikunen & Saarenmaa, L 2007, Pornification : sex and sexuality in media culture, Berg, Oxford ; New York, N.Y.

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Week 6: Slow fashion and social media

Remember those history lessons about pre-revolution times? Clothes were way different back then. People rocked outfits made locally, with materials readily available. They weren't disposable either – these garments were built to last, sometimes even passed down through generations. Its all about the quality and sustainable the outfit which encourage the effective in material using during the past age. Some of these traditional methods are making a comeback in the world of slow fashion. At first, it prompts us to sit back and consider if we truly need a new item or whether we could go through our wardrobe for a forgotten item that could only require a little fix. It therefore motivates us to purchase fewer clothes less frequently and, where possible, to acquire used ones. Then it will come to the quality of clothes overtime, instead of spending on nine chep polyester shirt that will unravel un der 1 year, conscious buyer like our parent will choose higher quality pieces with a reasonable price that last for over 5 years. Companies that respect high standards, stewardship, and workmanship comprise the slow fashion movement. Consequently, they inadvertently promote sustainability through the use of organic, recyclable, or long-lasting materials as well as more moral sourcing and production techniques (Brewer 2019).

Nowadays, fast fashion is becoming as popular as fast food, even though our waistlines and wardrobes may seem like unrelated problems. Both put speed, cost, and novelty first, frequently at the price of sustainability, ethics, and quality. Like a fatty burger, an inexpensive, stylish top could temporarily quench a hunger, but it won't endure. Rapid product turnover in both sectors results in mountains of garbage; fast food and clothing wind up in landfills and contribute substantially to packaging waste. Still, slow fashion is becoming more and more popular, reflecting the trend toward better nutrition. Apart from promoting environmental and social causes, the slow food movement has transformed into a lifestyle that encompasses both eating and living. (Jung, 2016). Just as choosing fresh, locally sourced products is important, slow fashion places an emphasis on quality, timeless designs, and ethical production. Just as meal planning or preparation reduces food waste, it also motivates us to repair, upcycle, and purchase secondhand. Slow fashion and mindful eating encourage a more deliberate approach, which is advantageous for our pocketbooks, our health, and the environment, even if both fast food and rapid fashion provide instant satisfaction.

Eight functions of SM are identified by Strähle and Gräff (2017) as impacting sustainable (fashion) consumption: publicity, transparency, education, engagement, CLM, social interaction, trust, and empowerment. According to the literature, one of SM's most important functions is to give people a place to exchange knowledge (Khare et al.,2022). Customers are becoming more concerned about environmental issues and are requesting from companies more explicit and tangible information regarding circular fashion. Therfore, quick, interesting videos on sites like TikTok and Instagram Reels that show off original ways to rework pre-existing clothing, breathe new life into old items, or mix thrift store discoveries into fashion forward ensembles. Join forces with slow fashion advocates in the fashion industry. Reference lists:

Reference list

Brewer, MK 2019, ‘Slow Fashion in a Fast Fashion World: Promoting Sustainability and Responsibility’, Laws, vol. 8, no. 4, p. 24.

Home Green Fashion Retail Chapter The Role of Social Media for a Sustainable Consumption Jochen Strähle & Chantal Gräff 2017, Green Fashion Retail, in J Strähle (ed.), Springer Series in Fashion Business, Springer Singapore, Singapore.

Ivan, CM, Celia, D, Sarah, G & Matthieu, G-D 2019, ‘FROM FAST FASHION TO SLOW FASHION SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS: FROM NATURE TO FASHION’, Global Fashion Management Conference, vol. 2019, no. 6, pp. 512–513.

Jung, S & Jin, BE 2022, “Slow fashion branding: understanding what consumers value most,” The journal of brand management, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 141–149.

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Week 5:  What is Digital Citizenship? Hashtag Publics, Political Engagement and Activism.

Digital citizenship has emerged as a key idea in our connected society, emphasizing the ethical use of technology and the internet. To participate in online communities ethically, one must develop a set of abilities and principles. Concurrently, the emergence of hashtag publics has transformed the terrain of political involvement and activity, offering a forum for worldwide dialogue and coordinated efforts.

To be more precise, The way activists are organized and approach their work has changed as a result of the use of modern technologies in activism.According to Vromen, the trend in advocacy has shifted from people aligning with organizations to more individualized, case-by-case ad hoc participation. When organizations and other activists use narrative-based storytelling arguments to appeal to a feeling of moral urgency, activists are more likely to get involved with current concerns (2017).

Hashtag publics are dynamic social media communities where people congregate around certain hashtags to exchange and discuss material about a given subject. This effect is especially noticeable in activism and political involvement. The US presidential election of 2016, when the nominations of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton provoked heated conversations centered around hashtags, provides an engaging case study.

Hashtags like #Trump2016 and #ImWithHer served as rallying grounds for supporters during this election, influencing the political conversation on social media sites like Twitter. Hashtags were used by activists to spread information, rally support, and foster a feeling of community. During a crucial period, the simplicity with which hashtags could be shared information was crucial in influencing public opinion and promoting political participation.

According to Boxell et al. (2018), Trump's margin of victory in the 2016 presidential election was much lower among demographic groups who were more likely to utilize social media or the internet. In fact, older white voters in rural regions without college degrees provided Trump with the largest base of support—these individuals are also among the least likely to use social media regularly. Moreover, social media material, especially on Twitter, has a disproportionately left-leaning viewpoint. According to estimates from the Pew Research Center, 80% of Twitter users strongly disapproved of President Trump in 2018, with 60% of users identifying as Democrats and only 35% as Republicans (Pew 2019a, 2019b). To sum up, the convergence of political action, hashtag publics, and digital citizenship demonstrates the revolutionary potential of the digital era.

reference list:

Reference list

Beckwith, D 2019, United States Presidential Election of 2016 - Conventions | Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, viewed 30 January 2024, <https://www.britannica.com/topic/United-States-presidential-election-of-2016/Conventions>.

Boxell, L, M Gentzkow and J M Shapiro (2018), “A Note on Internet Use and the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election Outcome”, PLOS ONE 13(7): 1–7.

NW, 1615 LS, Suite 800Washington & Inquiries, D 20036USA202-419-4300 | M-8-8 | F-4-4 | M 2019, Small Share of U.S. Adults Produce Majority of Political Tweets, Pew Research Center - U.S. Politics & Policy, viewed 2 February 2024, <https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/10/23/national-politics-on-twitter-small-share-of-u-s-adults-produce-majority-of-tweets/>.

Vromen, A 2017, Digital Citizenship and Political Engagement The Challenge from Online Campaigning and Advocacy Organisations, 1st edn, Palgrave Macmillan, London.

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Week 4: Reality TV and social media

The boundaries between created and real, performer and viewer, are frequently blurred in this intricate and interesting ecology that has emerged from the growing integration of social media and reality TV. Deller study (2020) claims that social media has contributed to the emergence of "microcelebrities," or small-scale online celebrities in a particular niche who may include people who utilize social networking sites to develop their own personal brands (Funn & Falkof 2021). More precisely, being on Reality TV serves as a springboard for many cast members to pursue successful social media careers, using their newly acquired notoriety to market themselves and collaborate with companies. A notable illustration is the singer Hòa Minzy. was declared the winner on June 18, 2014, the last night of "hoc vien ngoi sao" season 1, receiving 51.16% of the vote from the audience (VnExpress 2014). Since sharing her song on social media, Hoa Minzy has amassed over 2 million Facebook followers and a million YouTube subscribers. She made a lot of money from brand collaborations, product endorsements, and even her own clothing line by using her singing ability and humorous nature.

consequently, even though social media can facilitate self-expression, self-presentation, self-promotion, and marketing, it also exposes celebrities to a wider debate about the sincerity of their persona and brand, thereby "holding up a mirror to human behavior and interaction," which is a sobering realization for anyone who has given it any thought (Dellar 2019).

Reference list:

Reference list

Deller, RA 2020, Reality television : the television phenomenon that changed the world, Emerald Publishing, Bingley, Uk.

Dunn, C & Falkof, N 2021, ‘You’ve Got to Be Real: Authenticity, Performativity and Micro-Celebrity in South Africa’, Frontiers in Sociology, vol. 6.

VnExpress 2014, Hòa Minzy trở thành quán quân Học viện Ngôi sao, vnexpress.net, viewed 1 February 2024, <https://vnexpress.net/hoa-minzy-tro-thanh-quan-quan-hoc-vien-ngoi-sao-3006431.html>.

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Week 3: How does Tumblr function as a digital community

What is tumblr?

Not like any social media platform that we have engaged nowaday, Tumblr functions more like a microblogging site sharing images, text, GIFs, music, video, links, quotations, and other types of content. To be more specific, founded in 2007, Tumblr proves to be competitive against other social networking site as for its popular among niche comunities and fandom especially gen Z who has been the most new comer (61%) and active users ( 48%) (Csutoras 2022). Profiles on Tumblr are far more customisable than on other sites. Customization options for brands include layout, colors, fonts, and themes. Along with creating personalized RSS feeds according to their interests, users may also follow each other's updates. In fact, Tumblr are sitting in the top 5 blogging platform used in US and Uk along with Wordpress and Wix (Mirza Bahic 2024).

Tumblr as a digital community

According to Mousavi, Roper, and Keeling (2017, p. 377), a digital community, also referred to as an online brand community, is a setting where people are given the chance to create their identities through involvement in these communities, enabling them to take up their norms and values. But what makes Tumblr different from many other online communities, like Facebook or LinkedIn, is the ability to remain anonymous or named. Every time someone logs on to the internet to access the online community, it gives them a sense of ease and freedom since they can interact with others without fear of being judged and seen. For instance, BIPOC groups on Tumblr provide a rich tapestry of experiences that go beyond titles. Explore "BlackWomensBlogs" for compelling autobiographical pieces and spirited debates on social justice includes a broad variety of content, ranging from artistic creations and political commentary to personal essays and poetry. These blogs provide readers with an inside look into the lives of Black women from various backgrounds, highlighting their accomplishments, challenges, and distinctive viewpoints.

reference list:

Reference list

Csutoras, B 2022, 50 Things You Should Know About Tumblr, Search Engine Journal, viewed 1 February 2024, <https://www.searchenginejournal.com/50-things-know-tumblr/84595/>.

Mousavi S, Roper, S & Keeling KA 2017 Psychology and Marketing, ‘Social Identity in Online Brand Communities’, vol. 34, no. 4, Wiley Periodicals, Hoboken, p. 377.

Mirza Bahic 2024, Best blogging platforms of 2022, TechRadar, viewed 30 January 2024, <https://www.techradar.com/news/best-blogging-platform>.