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Gaslighting, Harassment and Silence: When Digital Spaces Are No Longer Safe

The internet was once seen as a place for people to connect and speak out, but for women, the digital space is fraught with risks. Not only do they face verbal attacks, they are also targets of systematic harassment. What is more worrying is that when women dare to speak up, they are not only not protected but also ridiculed, doubted, and even silenced.

One of the most dangerous tactics is gaslighting - psychological manipulation to make victims doubt their own experiences. Gleeson (2018) describes gaslighting as a form of reality distortion that undermines the victim’s trust in themselves. In digital spaces, this plays out in phrases like:

“That didn’t happen!” (denial)

“You’re making a big deal out of nothing.” (minimization)

“If you hadn’t spoken up, there wouldn’t be a problem.” (blame)

Over time, victims become less sure of their experiences, and this leads them to choose silence.

📢 When Women Speak Up But Are More Attacked

Not only are women the most harassed on the internet, but they are also often dismissed when they share their experiences. Haslop et al. (2021) point out that many women do not report online harassment because they understand that instead of being protected, they may be attacked more violently.

#MeToo is a movement that helps women break their silence, but that does not mean everyone supports it. Sundén & Paasonen (2019) find that many people quickly mock #MeToo, viewing it as a movement of “oversensitive” people. Terms like the “snowflake generation” criticize those who dare to speak up, making them the object of ridicule rather than being heard.

But this is not about sensitivity. Mocking #MeToo doesn’t make the problem go away – it just makes women more afraid to share their stories. And when they stay silent, harassers have more space to continue their behavior with impunity.

⚖️ Digital Citizenship: We Can’t Keep Ignoring It

Online harassment is not just a personal issue, it’s also a measure of how we practice digital citizenship. Reinicke (2022) points out that if harassment is tolerated, the internet will remain an unequal environment where vulnerable voices are marginalized.

As digital citizens, we can’t keep ignoring it. If we want to build a more equitable online space, everyone - not just women - needs to take responsibility. Don’t stay silent when you see someone being harassed. Don’t let gaslighting become the norm. And most importantly, support those who speak up, rather than doubting or ridiculing them.

Cyberspace belongs to all of us, but it is only truly equal when everyone can speak up without fear of being silenced.

🔍 After #MeToo, How Far Have We Come?

#MeToo has empowered millions of women to speak up, but speaking up is not enough. If harassment is still taken lightly, if gaslighting remains a tool to silence victims, then the digital space will forever be a place where silence is the only option for self-protection.

🚀 Do you think digital citizenship can help reduce online harassment? Share your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️

References

Gleeson, J. (2018). Explainer: what does “gaslighting” mean? The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-does-gaslighting-mean-107888

Haslop, C., O’Rourke, F., & Southern, R. (2021). #NoSnowflakes: The toleration of harassment and an emergent gender-related digital divide, in a UK student online culture. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 27(5), 1418–1438. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856521989270

Reinicke, K. (2022). Introduction. Men after #MeToo, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96911-0_1

Sundén, J., & Paasonen, S. (2019). Inappropriate Laughter: Affective Homophily and the Unlikely Comedy of #MeToo. Social Media + Society, 5(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305119883425

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Indie Games and the Age of Platforms: Who Controls Creativity?

Indie games were once a symbol of creativity and freedom, an escape from the control of large corporations in the gaming industry. However, the difference between indie and AAA games has become increasingly narrow over time. Do indie games still have the spirit of "independence", or are they gradually being swept into the wheel of the industry they once wanted to oppose?

🎮 Indie vs. AAA: When Independence Becomes a Flexible Concept

Indie games are traditionally understood as games developed without funding from large companies, while AAA games are products with huge budgets and large development teams, and are published by corporations like EA or Ubisoft.

However, indie games today are no longer operating in isolation as before. Keogh (2021) points out that the Melbourne indie community has not completely separated itself from the big industry, but instead has partnered with funding funds, distribution platforms, and even new business models. This raises the question: as indie games adapt to the market, will they still retain their original creative spirit?

🔗 When Platforms Shape Indie Games

Thanks to the development of platforms such as Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox Game Pass, indie games can reach millions of players. But with that comes the dependence on the algorithms and policies of these platforms.

According to Chia et al. (2020), platformisation not only helps indie games reach the market, but also creates invisible constraints – where the distribution algorithms and rules of the platform determine which games will be noticed. If a game does not fit the way the platform operates, it can be forgotten regardless of its quality.

📺 Streamers: Opportunity or Pressure for Indie Games?

In the past, indie games were known only to small communities. Now, if just one famous streamer tries a game, it can become a phenomenon - or fall into oblivion soon after.

According to Taylor (2018), streamers can create a huge success for an indie game but can also turn it into a fleeting trend, where sales depend on rapidly changing tastes rather than the core value of the game. This causes many developers to adjust their games to follow trends instead of pursuing the original creative vision.

🔍 Indie Games: Still Retaining Their Identity or Already Blending Into the Market Flow?

Indie games are still a creative space, but they are no longer a separate world from the gaming industry. It has grown stronger, reaching more people, but at the same time it has faced pressures from distribution platforms, algorithms and market trends.

However, what matters is not whether indie games are still "pure", but whether they continue to innovate and challenge old industry norms.

🚀 Do you think indie games still retain their creative spirit, or have they become part of the system they once rebelled against? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️

References

Chia, A., Keogh, B., Leorke, D., & Nicoll, B. (2020). Platformisation in game development. Internet Policy Review, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.14763/2020.4.1515

Keogh, B. (2021). The Melbourne indie game scenes: Value regimes in localized game development (Chapter 13). In P. Ruffino (Ed.), Independent videogames: Cultures, networks, techniques and politics (pp. 209–222). Routledge.

Taylor, T. L. (2018). Broadcasting ourselves (Chapter 1). In Watch me play: Twitch and the rise of game live streaming (pp. 1–23). Princeton University Press.

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AR Abuse – When Your Face Doesn’t Belong to You

AR filters are effects that use augmented reality (AR) technology to insert virtual elements into the real world, creating a transformed but still realistic image (Azuma, 1997, p. 355). Initially, AR filters were developed for entertainment purposes, but today, they have become a tool to collect biometric data without the user knowing. When the face becomes a form of data that can be analyzed, stored and exploited, we must ask: Do we own our own digital identity?

👤Facial Recognition - When Privacy Is No Longer Yours

According to Baker (2020), Snapchat filters are not only a beauty tool but also collect biometric data to improve facial recognition. Instagram, TikTok and many other applications also use this technology to track facial features over time. The constant use of filters by users is not just for entertainment, but also inadvertently turns them into "trainers" of AI, helping the system to recognize faces more accurately.

🔹 Facial data is being collected without clear transparency.

🔹 Facial recognition is no longer a technology serving humans, but can be used for surveillance.

🔹 When the face becomes a form of "biometric password", can you protect it?

Rettberg (2017) argues that selfies today are not just a personal moment, but also data for machines to analyze. The use of this technology in facial recognition makes people gradually become "biometric citizens", where personal identity is digitized and can be abused. When AI can identify and track a person based on their face alone, do we have privacy?

🎭Deepfakes, Fake Identities, and the Growing Danger

In addition to data collection, AR filters have also played a role in the development of deepfakes - a technology that creates fake images and voices that are so realistic that they are difficult to distinguish. Improvements in facial recognition and artificial intelligence have not only improved security, but also made identity forgery easier than ever.

🔹 Deepfakes can create extremely realistic fake images and videos, posing enormous security threats (Verdoliva, 2020).

🔹 Cybercriminals can exploit facial data to commit fraud.

🔹 When your image is controlled by AI, are you still yourself in the digital space?

This poses a big challenge: Can we trust what we see in the digital age? As deepfakes proliferate, the line between real and fake is blurring. Without strong safeguards, personal identity can become a tool for manipulation, fraud, and even human rights violations. This is no longer a technology issue, but a crisis of trust and privacy.

The most important question remains: Are we trading control of our own identity for a beauty filter?

What do you think about facial recognition technology becoming more and more ingrained in our lives? Is it a step forward or a threat? Share your views below! ⬇️

References

Azuma, R. T. (1997). A Survey of Augmented Reality. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 6(4), 355–385. https://doi.org/10.1162/pres.1997.6.4.355

Barker, J. (2020). Making-up on mobile: The pretty filters and ugly implications of snapchat. Fashion, Style & Popular Culture, 7(2), 207–221. https://doi.org/10.1386/fspc_00015_1

Rettberg, J. W. (2017). Biometric Citizens: Adapting Our Selfies to Machine Vision. Springer EBooks, 89–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45270-8_10

Verdoliva, L. (2020). Media Forensics and DeepFakes: An Overview. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing, 14(5), 910–932. https://doi.org/10.1109/jstsp.2020.3002101

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Aesthetic Pressure on Social Media: When Beauty Becomes a Duty

🎭 Aesthetic Labor - Unpaid Work on the Web

In the past, only celebrities or service industry workers needed to care about aesthetic labor, but now, anyone who uses social media is unwittingly participating in it. To have a "standard" photo, we not only have to edit it but also pose, choose clothes, and even invest in our appearance to be prioritized by the algorithm.

But not everyone has the same opportunities. Research by Duffy & Meisner (2022) shows that algorithms tend to prioritize content that fits popular beauty standards, while "algorithmically invisible" those who do not meet the standards. This causes many people to edit photos or even change their bodies to "fit in", creating a cycle of aesthetic pressure.

🧠 When Beauty Becomes a Psychological Burden

It doesn't stop at appearance. Constantly comparing yourself to edited images can lead to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), an obsession with an 'imagined' defect in appearance that causes severe distress and affects life (Veale et al., 1996)

Research by Rajanala et al. (2018) shows that the overuse of filtered selfies can exacerbate BDD and increase self-esteem in adolescents, especially those who already have signs of body dysmorphia. This creates a vicious cycle: users edit their photos to feel more confident, but the more they do so, the less they accept their true appearance.

It is not just ordinary users, even influencers are affected. According to Carah & Dobson (2016), many young women are not only monitored for their appearance, but also self-monitored. They edit photos and change the way they pose and present themselves to achieve the "hotness standard" set by the algorithm. This turns beauty from a personal choice into a digital obligation.

Not only is the algorithm involved, Instagram also promotes the commercialization of appearance through cosmetic surgery. A study by Dorfman et al. (2017) found that 67.1% of posts related to cosmetic surgery on Instagram were self-promotional rather than educational. This has led many to view cosmetic surgery as a trend, a way to “upgrade yourself” rather than a serious health decision.

🔄 Breaking the Aesthetic Standards Loop

So what can we do?

📌 Be aware of the algorithm: What you see on your feed is not an objective reflection of reality but a product of an interactive optimization system.

📢 Support diverse body and beauty content: Like and share posts that bring new perspectives so that algorithms can recognize their value.

🌍 Create a healthier online space: Platforms should be more transparent about how content is displayed and have policies to support vulnerable groups to avoid algorithmic invisibility.

Social media is not at fault, but if we let it determine our value, then perhaps it’s time to ask: Am I beautifying myself, or just following an algorithm?

References

Carah, N., & Dobson, A. (2016). Algorithmic hotness: Young women’s “promotion” and “reconnaissance” work via social media body images. Social Media + Society, 2(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305116672885

Dorfman, R. G., Vaca, E. E., Mahmood, E., Fine, N. A., & Schierle, C. F. (2017). Plastic Surgery-Related Hashtag Utilization on Instagram: Implications for Education and Marketing. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 38(3), 332–338. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjx120

Duffy, B. E., & Meisner, C. (2022). Platform Governance at the margins: Social Media Creators’ Experiences with Algorithmic (in)visibility. Media, Culture & Society, 45(2), 016344372211119. https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221111923

Rajanala, S., Maymone, M. B. C., & Vashi, N. A. (2018). Selfies—Living in the Era of Filtered Photographs. JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, 20(6), 443. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamafacial.2018.0486

Veale, D., Boocock, A., Gournay, K., Dryden, W., Shah, F., Willson, R., & Walburn, J. (1996). Body Dysmorphic Disorder. British Journal of Psychiatry, 169(2), 196–201. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.169.2.196

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Slow Fashion: When Fashion is No Longer a Race

🧵 What is Slow Fashion?

Slow Fashion is not just about sustainable shopping, but also a way of thinking – buying less but better. Unlike Fast Fashion, where clothes are mass-produced with a short life cycle, Slow Fashion focuses on quality, ethical production and environmental protection (Domingos et al. 2022).

However, despite the increasing popularity of this concept, not everyone really understands it. Research by Lai, Henninger & Alevizou (2017) shows that many consumers still see Slow Fashion as a short-term trend, rather than a necessary change. This raises an important question: How do we promote awareness and make Slow Fashion a more realistic choice for the majority?

Part of the answer lies in social media, especially TikTok, where creative content is helping Slow Fashion reach younger audiences.

📱TikTok and the explosion of Slow Fashion

TikTok has helped turn Slow Fashion from a niche movement into a mainstream topic, with over 400,000 videos tagged #slowfashion. Rather than just theoretical posts, TikTok users can see firsthand how others practice the lifestyle - from second-hand shopping, recycling old clothes to comparing the quality of Fast Fashion and Slow Fashion.

Influencers like @venetialamanna, @andreacheong_, @maggie_zhou use the platform to criticize Fast Fashion and promote sustainable consumption habits. They create content like "Thrift Hauls" (buying second-hand items), "Rework Challenges" (turning old items into new ones) or "Fast Fashion vs. Slow Fashion" (comparing the quality of two fashion models). These videos not only raise awareness but also inspire many people to experiment with a more responsible consumer lifestyle.

However, once consumers become more aware of Slow Fashion, they also begin to question the dark side of the fashion industry, especially the tricks of Fast Fashion brands.

🚨Digital Citizens and the movement to condemn Fast Fashion

The growth of social media has not only helped popularize Slow Fashion but also created pressure on fast fashion brands to be more transparent about their supply chains and environmental impact.

The most typical example is the Shein boycott movement. A series of TikTokers have exposed Shein's harsh working conditions, design copying issues, and environmental pollution, causing hashtags like #BoycottShein, #StopFastFashion to quickly go viral. Not only Shein, but brands like Zara, H&M, and Boohoo have also been criticized for their lack of transparency and signs of "greenwashing" - advertising products as sustainable but not making a real commitment.

According to Helen Kopnina (2019), many companies use "green marketing" to create a sense of environmental friendliness, but in fact, do not change their production model. This leads to a rebound effect, when consumers think they are shopping responsibly, but continue to consume more, exacerbating the problem of pollution and resource exploitation. This is why digital citizens - those who actively spread information on social media - play an important role in exposing and opposing these misleading marketing strategies.

🌿How is this trend developing in Vietnam?

Slow Fashion is also gaining more and more attention in Vietnam, especially on TikTok. Influencers such as @bimnguyen58, @nhi.hien.nguyen, @dethangke have helped spread this movement through videos about second-hand outfit coordination, reviewing sustainable local brands and DIY old clothes, attracting millions of views and engagement.

Going beyond entertainment content, the Vietnamese TikTok community is gradually building a more responsible consumer awareness. Audiences not only like or share, but also comment, ask questions and share shopping experiences. This trend also contributes to promoting domestic brands in Vietnam towards a more sustainable production model, instead of following the Fast Fashion market. Therefore, digital citizens continue to play an important role in monitoring, questioning and forcing brands to be more responsible for their "sustainability" claims.

💚Conclusion

Slow Fashion is not just a passing trend, but a necessary change in the fashion industry. Social media can help spread the message, but more importantly, consumers will decide which direction the industry will go.

Are you willing to “slow down” to move toward a more sustainable future? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

References

Domingos, M., Vale, V. T., & Faria, S. (2022). Slow Fashion Consumer Behavior: a Literature Review. Sustainability, 14(5), 2860. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052860

Kopnina, H. (2019). Green-washing or best case practices? Using circular economy and Cradle to Cradle case studies in business education. Journal of Cleaner Production, 219, 613–621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.02.005

Lai, Z., Henninger, C. E., & Alevizou, P. J. (2017). An Exploration of Consumers’ Perceptions Towards Sustainable Fashion – A Qualitative Study in the UK. Sustainability in Fashion, 81–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51253-2_5

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Political Memes: A Tool of Power in the Digital Age 

🚀Political Memes: From Entertainment to Political Influence

According to Wiggins & Bowers (2014), internet memes are remixed and evolving messages that spread quickly through participatory digital culture. They emerge from initial memes and continue to transform, encouraging ongoing participation and engagement within online communities. Memes are no longer just funny images shared on social media. In the modern political context, they have become a powerful weapon that helps individuals, organizations and even governments influence public perception. Thanks to the power of digital platforms and hashtag publics, memes not only reflect political views but also contribute to shaping public opinion trends.

🛠Memes - A Powerful Political Communication Tool

Political memes can be seen as part of platformisation, where digital platforms play an important role in transmitting and controlling information. Ahmed & Masood (2024) claimed that exposure to political memes on social media can encourage individuals with strong political cynicism to engage in active online political participation. Those memes help spread messages in a simple, accessible way and often contain satirical elements to attract attention. Some of the main benefits of memes in politics include:

Increase reach: Short, easy-to-understand content helps reach a wide audience, especially young people.

Create a viral effect: A meme can go viral in a short time, strongly influencing public opinion.

Shape political views: Memes can amplify or distort information, thereby influencing perceptions of an event or politician.

🔗Hashtag Publics – How Memes Promote Political Activities

Hashtags play a crucial role in amplifying the impact of memes. Movements like #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, and #FreeHongKong have used memes to mobilize support, draw global attention, and even influence policy change. In the context of these movements, internet memes related to Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter often express either positive or negative viewpoints, with anti-BLM memes being the most common, and humor mainly appearing in memes with negative stances (Dynel & Poppi, 2021). Thanks to hashtag publics, memes have transcended being just entertaining posts and have become a part of digital activism, connecting like-minded individuals and transforming them into an influential political force.

⚠️The Challenge of Political Memes 

Despite the benefits, political memes can also have negative consequences, including misinformation, manipulation, and polarization. When memes go viral, they can amplify controversy, leading to greater division between different political groups. As a result, memes can influence the outcome of elections and shift public opinion, for better or worse.

🎯Memes Are Not Just a Joke!

Political memes are an unavoidable phenomenon in the digital age. With the combination of digital citizenship, platformisation and hashtag publics, memes are not only entertaining content but also a tool with the ability to strongly influence politics and public opinion. However, with power comes responsibility, the use of memes in politics needs to be considered to avoid negative impacts, ensure that the information spread is accurate and does not harm social stability.

How do you think memes and hashtags influence political movements today? Share your thoughts in the comments below!🗣️

References

Ahmed, S., & Masood, M. (2024). Breaking Barriers With Memes: How Memes Bridge Political Cynicism to Online Political Participation. Social Media + Society, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051241261277

Dynel, M., & Poppi, F. I. M. (2021). Fidelis ad mortem: multimodal discourses and ideologies in Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter (non)humorous memes. Information, Communication & Society, 26(4), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118x.2021.1993958

Wiggins, B. E., & Bowers, G. B. (2014). Memes as genre: A structurational analysis of the memescape. New Media & Society, 17(11), 1886–1906. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444814535194

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Reality TV: Entertainment or Controversy? How Reality TV Creates Digital Communities

📺Reality TV and Blogging: From Entertainment to Discussion Spaces

Reality TV not only provides entertainment but also contributes to the creation of digital public spaces where audiences engage in discussions about social issues. This week, we explore the connection between Reality TV and blogging, as viewers not only consume content but also analyze and critique the social issues the shows reflect.

🌍Blogging and Digital Communities

According to Deller (2019), reality TV provokes conversations and the sharing of opinions, not only about the behavior of the participants but also about the authenticity of the show. These discussions take place not only in the home and workplace but also spread across forums, blogs, vlogs and social media. Nardi et al. (2004) claimed that blogging is an increasingly popular form of online communication. Bloggers build relationships with their audiences through their personal social networks and broader readership groups. Blogging platforms such as Tumblr allow viewers to not only share their thoughts but also engage in thoughtful discussions about topics covered by Reality TV, such as gender equality or cultural issues.

🖋️Blogging: A Tool for Criticism and Debate

More than just a place to share personal opinions, blogging has evolved into a tool for viewers to conduct in-depth analysis of what they see on television. When a Reality TV show airs, lively discussions immediately spring up on blogging platforms, where people can share their views on the topics covered. For example, participants in these discussions not only comment on the drama but also make observations about the authenticity and bias in the way the shows are produced.

💻 Audiences Become Critics

Social media and blogging platforms have created opportunities for viewers to become not only viewers but also analysts. Stefanone and Lackaff (2009) found that reality TV consumption influences blogging and online video sharing, while social support network size influences photo sharing, suggesting that this is a more relational activity. They were able to discuss authenticity and bias in Reality TV programs, helping to create a strong critical space.

🎭Blogging and Reality TV – A New Space for Discussion

Reality TV is not only entertainment but also a tool to promote discussion about social issues. Blogging, as a critical space, helps viewers become analysts and critics, thereby promoting public and in-depth dialogue.

👉 What do you think about the role of blogging in discussing Reality TV? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👇

References

Deller, R. A. (2019). Reality Television: The Television Phenomenon That Changed the World. Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/9781839090219

Nardi, B. A., Schiano, D. J., & Gumbrecht, M. (2004). Blogging as social activity, or, would you let 900 million people read your diary? Proceedings of the 2004 ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work - CSCW ’04. https://doi.org/10.1145/1031607.1031643

Stefanone, M. A., & Lackaff, D. (2009). Reality Television as a Model for Online Behavior: Blogging, Photo, and Video Sharing. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 14(4), 964–987. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2009.01477.x

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From Hashtag to Revolution: Tumblr and the Feminist Struggle

In the digital age, social media has become an important space for feminist discourse, where hashtag-based movements thrive. According to Habermas’s theory of public space (cited in Kruse, Norris & Flinchum 2018, pp. 62-63), an ideal public space should ensure access to information, equal participation, and freedom from institutional domination. In this context, Tumblr has emerged as a unique platform where feminist communities can connect, share, and raise awareness about gender equality. So is Tumblr an ideal public space for feminists?

Tumblr and the Digital Public Sphere

Founded in 2007, Tumblr is different from other social media platforms due to its anonymity, robust hashtag system, and reblog mechanism. This creates an open space where users can discuss sensitive issues without fear of censorship or harassment. According to Kruse et al. (2018), a true public sphere must meet three criteria:

1. Unrestricted access to information - On Tumblr, users can find a wide range of political, gender, and feminist material and discussions without being constrained by algorithms like on Facebook or Instagram.

2. Equal participation - Unlike Twitter, where posts are easily hijacked, Tumblr allows users to control what appears on their personal pages.

3. Reduced institutional control - Tumblr is less controlled by corporations or governments than other platforms.

Feminism on Tumblr

Tumblr is considered the center of the digital feminist movement. Keller (2019) claimed that “Feminism on Tumblr” describes how feminist groups on the platform use social media to fight for women’s rights, share personal experiences, and create spaces for mutual support. Hashtags like #Feminism, #MeToo, and #BodyPositive have attracted millions of posts, raising awareness about gender inequality. On Tumblr, users are free to express their feminist views in creative and powerful ways. The platform is not limited to traditional forms of feminism, but also opens up space to explore new, even revolutionary approaches, allowing people to share and express their identities.

In addition, Tumblr has played a significant role in spreading discussions about LGBTQ+ rights, gender-based violence, and societal beauty standards. According to Solomon & Kurtz-Costes (2017), as social media platforms represent hubs of community for transgender adolescents, these communities provide emotional, appraisal, and informational support that transgender youth may not otherwise be able to access. In particular, the platform has become an important space for trans women, where they can find empathy, and support, and share their experiences in their journey to self-actualization. Thanks to Tumblr’s anonymity and unique language culture, many trans women have found a community where they can be their true selves, fight for their rights, and express their identities without fear of judgment or discrimination.

Despite the presence of other social media platforms, Tumblr stands out as an important space for building and promoting feminist movements. With its anonymity and unique language culture, Tumblr continues to be a place where communities can connect, share, and express their identities freely and powerfully. Tumblr’s future in this role will depend on how the platform adapts and evolves in the rapidly changing digital landscape.

What do you think about Tumblr’s ability to continue to be an important space for social movements? Share your thoughts! 🚀

References

Keller, J. (2019). “Oh, She’s a Tumblr Feminist”: Exploring the Platform Vernacular of Girls’ Social Media Feminisms. Social Media + Society, 5(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305119867442

Kruse, L. M., Norris, D. R., & Flinchum, J. R. (2018). Social Media as a Public Sphere? Politics on Social Media. The Sociological Quarterly, 59(1), 62–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380253.2017.1383143

Solomon, H. E., & Kurtz-Costes, B. (2017). Media’s Influence on Perceptions of Trans Women. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 15(1), 34–47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-017-0280-2