digital-community-blog

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The Great Fire Wall of China

If we try to imagine our daily lives without social networking platforms (such as Instagram and  Facebook) that are so ingrained into our routines and so familiar to us, it becomes a difficult idea to comprehend. We have become so reliant and dependent on these sites that even when the platforms make small layout changes, there is a huge uproar within the user community. If tomorrow, our government put restrictions on these sites and banned us from using them – it is fair to say we would be driven to near insanity and wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves.

The fact is that 1.3 billion people live (and survive) without these social networking sites that we can’t even comprehend going a few hours without checking. The Great Firewall of China combines legislative actions and monitoring from the government to heavily censor and control Internet use across the entire nation.

The population of China isn’t lacking in the concept of connectivity via social media in any way; they have created unique, specific alternatives for virtually any platform which can be found in the west – many of which, are arguably better and have far more interesting features than their counterparts.

WeChat

We Chat is Tencent’s instant messaging app which was launched in 2011 and has since become globally popular. The platform allows users to share photos, videos, and text messages as well as make phone calls, read the news and meet up with other users based on location. The wide variety of functions extends to a heatmap and features that allow users to shake their phones and connect to individuals doing the same nearby.

With affordances specific and unique to this platform, it’s no wonder the application has been successful far beyond the population of China.

Line

Line was originally developed as a platform compared to a Facebook alternative for the Chinese population; however, it has become widely successful in many other countries in the same way WeChat has. “Line is a free messaging app that goes beyond basic services like WhatsApp to offer stickers, social games, video calling, and a range of other accompanying apps that connect to the service” (Russell 2016). Interestingly enough, Line has overtaken Facebook in regards to usage and popularity within Japan – It is the favoured application/platform to socialise on.

While it is easy for us to speculate and pass judgement on China’s social networking and internet restrictions, all evidence would indicate that they have a far more advanced and potentially better developed set of platforms to connect and communicate through. Though the concept of being heavily monitored and having mass censorship through usage is rather confronting to myself and many others within the West – China has certainly taken their circumstances in stride and proved to the rest of the world that their ability to develop alternative platforms and technology is far better and more resourceful than our “I couldn’t live a day with out Instagram” attitude.

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The World Of Online Gaming

Gaming and play is a part of almost every individual's life in some way or another – from video games to phone apps to classic “old school” board and card games, playing is an activity which offers an outlet to have fun, pass time and socialise within different environments (Griffiths & Kuss 2012). In many ways, gaming environments online share similarities with a social media platform. Online gaming incorporates interaction with other users and being social which causes communities and online publics to form in the same way this occurs on sites like Instagram or Facebook.

However, the gaming world is usually far more removed from reality and publics that are formed are more likely to be with complete strangers rather than users that individuals know personally (as the case with a “friends list” on Facebook).

Furthermore, the gaming world is far less personal in the way that users can and do, create profiles which in no manner reflect who they are in physical reality; individuals rarely use their real name or post actual photos of themselves in the way they might use a platform such as Instagram.

While online gaming is often used as a fun pass-time and enjoyable activity for most users, some individuals can take the concept a little too seriously and carry through consequences into reality. Individuals have been known to use online gaming as an “escape from reality” which can often lead to addiction and unhealthy obsession in a similar manner that substance abuse takes hold of one's life (Griffiths & Kuss 2012).

It also becomes potentially problematic when users begin running themselves into real life debt from spending legitimate currency on virtual possessions within a gaming community.

The game called second life has seen various instances where virtual situations have carried repercussions into reality; in a particular scenario, a woman filed a divorce after her husband had a virtual affair (Morris 2008).

Gaming within the 21st century has gotten to an advanced stage in the ability to mimic actual life and appear realistic which is partly to blame for users becoming too engrossed within virtual environments. Video game addiction and obsession rates are high because of the affordance they are able to offer individuals who are unhappy within their lives; games offer a promising escape to a virtual reality where users can be whoever they want to be and do whatever they desire (Kim 2015). While I will always have an appreciation for online games and environments, I believe it is important to differentiate real-life and virtual- life in order to keep one's priorities and problems in check; games and social interaction within online environments (including social media platforms) should not substitute connection and socialisation within ones physical environment.

Kuss, D Griffiths, M 2013 “Internet Gaming Addiction : a systematic review of an imperical system”, International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, Vol 10 no. 2

Kim, M 2015, “The good and the bad of escaping to virtual reality”, The Atlantic, Publish Feburary 18 2015, viewed May 16th 2019 https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/02/the-good-and-the-bad-of-escaping-to-virtual-reality/385134/

Morris, S 2008, “Second Life Affair Leads to Real Life Divorce, The Guardian, Published November 14th 2008, viewed May 16th 2019 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2008/nov/13/second-life-divorce

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Mario & Link through the ages

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Social Media and Our Health

Social media has the ability to affect the mental and physical health of the population in a variety of manners, both positively and negatively.

On one hand, we have increasing rates of mental illnesses rising due to negative side effects and improper use of social media (including bullying, social media addictions and increases in anti-social behavior) (Strickland 2014).

On the other hand, social networks and the internet have the ability to offer affordances of connection, support, and educational tools in relation to the health of the public.

As someone who suffers from a chronic illness which has been debilitating at particular points in my life, I believe strongly in the power of social media in relation to the public’s health status.

One of the most powerful affordances social media offers is the ability to spread awareness and educate society through visibility ; “2271 million people use Facebook, 326 million Twitter, 1000 million Instagram and 287 million use Snapchat” (Butteriss & Bradley), it is an invaluable tool when it comes to public health campaigns or raising awareness around illness.

My own journey began on social media in 2016 when I found the hashtag #endometriosisawareness circling the network. After reading countless posts from women who suffered symptoms just like me, I was then prompted to begin seeking diagnosis and treatment for my condition which I would have otherwise not been aware of.

For those who are suffering an illness, these platforms can offer a sense of belonging and support which is priceless to individuals who often feel isolated within their conditions or sicknesses. Groups on Facebook and Instagram, or threads and forums on Reddit and other blogging sites allow publics to be formed and users to come together to offer support and advise to each other.

“The Internet holds promise, as it can serve as a communication medium for individuals sharing information and emotional support …empowering [cancer] information consumers to act as competent social actors, and allowing them to become increasingly involved in their own health care” (Mckosker & Darcy 2013).

In my own experience, being a part of Facebook groups for endometriosis sufferers and watching videos on Youtube dedicated to the topic helped me immensely in the time of seeking treatment and following up to my surgery. The publics that I was a part of allowed me to find support and answer any questions I might have about my health condition from other individuals who had experienced the exact same thing. I found social media to be a relevant and helpful tool throughout my journey as it made me feel less isolated and allowed me to educate myself at times when I couldn’t access a medical professional directly.

Social media and the internet are highly powerful tools in providing education and information to individuals about their health in a free and accessible manner (Win et al. 2015).

Platforms have the ability to raise awareness about illnesses and conditions allowing sufferers to feel empowered and supported.

These networks and platforms allow individuals to connect and express themselves on their own health journeys, while also offering support and advice to others. Personally, I am very thankful for the affordances social media has offered to me on my own health journey and will continue to use and appreciate these networking sites.

References

Butteriss, C Bradley, J 2018, “The World’s Best Public Health Social Media Campaigns”, Bang The Table, https://www.bangthetable.com/blog/public-health-social-media-campaigns/ Accessed May 10th 2019

McCosker, A Darcy, R 2013,”Living With Cancer”, Information, Communication & Society, DOI : 10.1080/1369118X.2012.758303

Strickland, A 2014, “Exploring the Effects of Social Media Use on Mental Health of Young Adults”, Public Relations and Advertising Commons, University of Central Florida

Win, K Hassan, N, Bonney A, Iverson D 2015, “Benefits of Online Health Education: Perception From Consumers and Health Professionals”, Faculty of Engineering and Information, University of Wollongong Australia

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Crowdsourcing in Times of Crisis

In times of crisis, the human race has an ability to band together in selflessness and kindness to overcome many hurdles and cope with a variety of disasters. Social media and the internet have offered platforms to initiate and promote crowdsourcing campaigns in the face of virtually any adversity.

Crowdsourcing is defined as using the power of social media and its affordances to bring individuals together for a common source and offer solutions to a particular problem. (Riccardi 2016)

In times of disaster, communication channels and news from the media reports are often compromised, or inadequate due to inefficiency. Social networks are able to offer fast/live updates often from those who are and will be directly affected by the crisis.

For example, the 2011 earthquakes in Japan on March 11 were responsible for over 16,000 deaths across the nation within just 9 hours (EmergencyJournalism 2012).

Despite Japan’s newsrooms being well equipped and experienced to cope with and report on natural disasters of large magnitude, there was a gap identified in the mainstream media coverage. There were several locations which the mainstream media did not cover on, however Geotags tweets were utilised to be able to locate and communicate with individuals affected within those areas; they were able to report on their current situations and make requests for help (EmergencyJournalism 2012).

“Compared to traditional relief methods, leveraging crowdsourcing for disaster relief has many advantages. Crowdsourced data including user requests and status reports are collected almost immediately after a disaster using social media”, (Gao & Barbier 2011) this proves to be a much faster and user orientated communication channel opposed to the mainstream news which has a more acute focus on reporting to the public.

Crowdsourcing offers people to come together for a common purpose and provide help. In times of disaster, many are left feeling hopeless and powerless – however, crowdsourcing presents the opportunity for individuals to contribute, feel useful, empowered and be of assistance.

“Disaster  sociologists  have  long  recognized  that  during disasters  and mass  emergencies  people  will spontaneously converge  on  the  site  of  the  event  to  offer  assistance  in warning,  response,  and relief  efforts [3,4,8]. We  know  that this phenomenon extends to the ICT era, where people who are remote to an event  will  converge using  ICTs  and  social media  to  seek  and  provide  information  and  to  offer assistance. Individuals will converge using social media to provide updates, communicate, and offer assistance to each other” (Starbird 2019).

After typhoon Haiyan devastated in Philippines in November 2013, and online group of volunteers banded together and worked tirelessly to help guide relief efforts. These individuals were from across the globe and able to analyse satellite imagery and additional data to generate maps and valuable information to relief agencies (Butler 2013).

Crowdsourcing has been an invaluable affordance of social media in recent years. When natural disaster and crisis hits, we are given the ability to reach out, respond, and communicate in far more efficient and effective manners than that of the mainstream media; meaning that real help and relief can be offered at faster rates, potentially saving countless lives.

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Trolling

While the online world of social media offers its wonderful affordances of communication, connection, raising awareness and giving people the ability to spread positivity in the world; like all things, it comes with some negatives. Bullying within school, work and even at home is a concept which has been prevalent and widely observed since…pretty much forever. Online bullying however, is a new issue that has accompanied our move into the digital age. “Trolling” is the name given to the act of writing unsolicited, provocative messages and spreading hate speech online, victimizing others and causing havoc on the internet and social media platforms.

This form of online bullying has the ability to become far more sinister and out of hand than the bullying children may experience in the classroom due to a few reasons. Firstly, the perpetrators (known as trolls) have the ability to remain anonymous by creating fake accounts, using blank profiles etc. This often gives people a false sense of confidence and leads them to write things that they would likely never say out loud in reality – this can range from insults to death threats.

It addition to this, trolling and bullying becomes inescapable.

In the past, children may have encountered bullying in the classroom, but they would return home each night to a place where they would feel safe; but now they may come home to open a computer screen full of negative messages and insults, carrying on from an already more than difficult day. For example, Amanda Todd was a 15 year old high school student who committed suicide after being relentlessly cyber-bullied; she tragically took her own life as she felt there was no place for her to escape the perpetrators.

Social media has not necessarily made bullying more prevalent in society; however it has made it far more easy and given trolls new ways to spread hate.

“Although new forms of drama find a home through social media, teens’ behaviors have not significantly changed. Social media has not radically altered the dynamics of bullying, but it has made these dynamics more visible to more people”  (boyd. D 2014)

We won’t ever be able to have control over others words and actions – there will always be individuals who misuse platforms and tear each other down. In a world filled with trolls and hate speech – be the fairy god mother – spread the love instead.  

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PROTEST AND ACTIVISM PREZI

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Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King Jr. (via naturaekos)

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Activism or Slacktivism

Today’s digital age means it’s never been easier to be an activist. Just share that Facebook article about equality, post that tweet about racism or sign that online environmental petition…we like to think social media has given us the ability to be involved and take action on all social matters we are passionate about. But are we really changing the world? Or are we just contributing to white noise and jumping on the next trending hashtag phase?

Although one person making a post, sharing an article, or liking a status about a particular issue may not change the situation, it has the ability to raise awareness; With awareness comes change.

When we open doors to start conversations about all that is wrong in the world, we simultaneously open the door to find a solution to these issues.

If we never discuss or acknowledge social issues, if we never get heated or passionate about them – how will they ever change?

This is where the beauty of social media comes in. You only have to look at campaigns such as #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter or March of Our Lives to realise the power that these platforms can offer the users. These campaigns started small – but social media gave them the ability to go viral and spread like wild fire. A light was shed onto these injustices as they became global conversations.

Social media gives us the ability to band together, be strong in numbers and create a loud, collective voice. It acts as an incredible catalyst for starting discussion, providing information, spreading awareness and organising action.

Although sending a tweet or pressing the like button isn’t going to erase racism or the gender pay gap – it certainly draws our attention to it, and that’s a good enough start.

#protest #activism #socialmedia

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Yes We Can

Social media platforms have changed (almost) everything about society and the way we interact and communicate with each other over the last decade. Need to contact a friend? Stalk an ex? Check up on what your favourite celebrity had for dinner last night? We can.

How about broadcast your political stance on any given matter to anyone that will listen? Or send an angry tweet full of hate speech @ the leader of your least favourite political party? Yes, We Can do that too.

Platforms such as twitter, Instagram and Facebook have revolutionised the way we interact with each other about political topics, the manner in which we can access information, and the way our political leaders can interact with us.

Social media offers affordances which make communication seem seamless, immediate and *feels* more two sided.

While we used to read the paper about the most recent bad decision the president made and roll our eyes quietly, now we can jump on twitter and give him an 140 character piece of our mind.

Different politicians use social media in more reserved and appropriate manners than others. Most leaders take it upon themselves to use social media as a tool to enhance their positive image and improve their public popularity; however, some others (ahem Donald Trump) are far more blasé and careless with what they share, and use platforms in a similar way to that of a teenage girl.

Regardless of the curated posts (or lack of), social media makes politicians far more accessible and open more public speculation. They can certainly put themselves at risk if they are not careful

Not only can we now voice our opinion towards politicians – but its easy for us to share our stances with fellow users too. This usually goes one of two ways, the first being that users of the social media platform band together and either discuss, communicate or aim to take action on a political issue; or alternatively, it results in conflict, trolling and many hurt feelings.

Politicians use platforms to gain traction and support on their campaigns, celebrities openly voice their favourable party, and the public has more of a voice than ever.

Whether we tweeting at our favourite leader, writing a status about the worst political campaign ever, or creating a partition about the bill they are about to pass in parliament house…

Here’s to social media and the digital age; Once again, everything is louder, more accessible and faster than ever.

#socialmedia #politics 

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“Many who blog and tweet are not writing for the world at large; they are writing for the small group who might find it relevant and meaningful. And, realistically, the world at large is not reading the details of their lives. Instead, they are taking advantage of the affordances of these technologies to connect with others in a way that they feel is appropriate”

dana boyd - The Social Media Reader

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Tumblr - Social Media or Blog?

2005 saw the launch of social networking and micro-blogging site; Tumblr – a platform which was renowned for freedom on content of posts and recognised potentially controversial topics relating to body image, sexuality and identity; creating a space for issues to be explored in a constructive manner. (Forbes 2018)

The site allows users to curate a blog, comment, like, re-blog and interact with fellow users – which brings us to the question ‘ Is Tumblr a blog or social media site?’.

Although the site borrows functional characteristics from both social media and blogging platforms, Tumblr is without a doubt a microblogging site…Don’t believe me? Let’s make some comparisons…

The Identity Factor

A governing aspect of many social media sites is the personalisation of an online profile – Take Facebook, Instagram, Tinder for example; individuals customise their profiles with personal photos of themselves, their first and last names, along with a plethora of additionally highly personal information that portrays their ideal self-image and reflects their real-life identity; making them recognizable.

Alternatively – most users curate their Tumblr to be a faceless blog – while their feed may reflect deep personal interests and what matters to them – they do not typically identify this with their actual self-image. Tumblr uses no avatars or given names/personal photos to create an online image.

The Friends List

For the most part - Facebook and Instagram friends/followers list are generally compiled with other users that we know in real-life; we use these sites to interact with them through messaging and commenting; building on a relationship that already exists outside of the internet.

On the other hand, blog sites such as Tumblr generally gain interest and followers from an audience with similar themes - opposed to followers which users know in reality. Blog users on Tumblr generally interact with other users employing the use of similar aesthetics or content.

Use

The emphasized function and affordances that many social media sites offer in comparison to Tumblr or other blogging sites is a large point of difference.

Facebook, Instagram, Tinder offer a platform to post content and build an identity; additionally, there is a huge emphasis on the function of interaction and communication within these sites. This continues on the concept that the fellow users we interact with on social-networking sites are generally people we know personally.

Many people will use the messenger feature on these sites instead of texting/calling someone. The sites are based around being sociable and constantly contactable.

Tumblr however – feels a lot more lonely in comparison. You can send private messages, but it doesn’t function quite the same as the IM that social networking sites offer.

Instead, Tumblr offers its’ users a space to create, express and share – for themselves and a small audience.

It gives individuals a space to connect with themselves, and others if they choose– without the social commitment.

Content and Privacy

This brings us to the flexibility and diverse content that Tumblr offers as a blog site, in comparison to what social networking sites offer.

While Instagram allows us to post a highlight reel of potentially highly edited photos and curate a feed, Twitter confines us to posting snippets of our mind in confinements of 140 characters, Facebook allows us to share photos and content with people we have befriended – blogging sites, such as Tumblr, present as far more fluid in the way they can be utilised.

Content ranges from text posts, to videos, photos, gifs and audio; all of which is readily available site wide from any blog user – Tumblr users can interact with anyone (you don’t have to follow the blog/add them as a friend). There are little privacy limits when it comes to interaction. Censorship is far less regulated on Tumblr than it is on other sites, it is common to see many posts involving nudity and controversial subjects.

Additionally, unlike many social media sites - Content is without obligation to be your intellectual property; users freely exchange, interact, re-post and re-blog a wide range of content which they have not created themselves.

So there we have it – sitting side by side – Tumblr may borrow features from social networking sites but it was ultimately created for, and continues to be used as a micro-blogging site.