Online Networks and Social Change

The effectiveness of feminist hashtags such as #MeToo on empowering women, mobilising protests and enacting political and societal change

Abstract: 

This paper discusses the influence that digital feminist hashtags such as #MeToo have on individuals, and protest movements, both online and offline. It also looks at whether the hashtags have any influence on shifting long held societal beliefs, or policy change. This paper found that digital feminist hashtags have the ability to influence and affect individuals deeply. The hashtags allow for the creation of supportive networks and have the ability to make individuals, survivors, women and girls feel empowered and comforted as they tell their stories and connect with other like-minded people. Digital feminist hashtags are also extremely effective in mobilising people incredibly quickly to protest, as evidenced by the recent #March4Justice carried out across Australia. The feminist hashtags also have the potential to mobilise vast networks of global populations online and allow the protest to continue perpetually, which may subsequently lead to policy change and even influence or change long held societal beliefs. However, this paper ultimately concludes that if a feminist hashtag is making sexual assault survivors, women and girls feel supported and comforted, they are valuable, regardless of if any societal change or action has occurred. 

Introduction: 

Feminist digital activism is growing in popularity. There is an increasing trend that is seeing women in particular embracing and engaging in hashtags on social media to fight resistance to patriarchy, sexism, oppression and misogyny (Mendes, et.al, 2018). It is becoming increasingly easier to engage in feminist activism through social media using hashtags and, in this way, social media is driving the latest wave of contemporary feminism, or “fourth wave” feminism (Matich et al, 2019). In just February and March of 2021 alone, we have seen the #March4Justice women’s rights march across Australia initiated and organised through social media; An uprising of young women calling for consent and sex education after Chanel Contos started an Instagram poll revealing thousands of allegations of sexual assault from former and current school girls; Rallies and vigils quickly organised and held across the UK after Sarah Everand was found raped and murdered by a policeman; Even Julia Gillard’s famous misogyny speech in Parliament in 2012 is enjoying a popular revival on Tik Tok that sees users lip sync to her speech while doing makeup, crafting or dancing. Feminist digital activism has been found to be extremely effective in mobilising people and engaging in a national or global movement by simply using a hashtag for their content (Matich et al, 2019) This paper will analyse the micro, meso and macro effects of feminist digital hashtag campaigns. It will look at how effective feminist hashtag campaigns are at mobilizing people both offline and online, and explore how individuals are impacted when participating in a feminist hashtag campaign. Finally, this paper will ask if ultimately feminist hashtag campaigns have any influence on shifting long held societal beliefs, or policy change, drawing on the movements driven by feminist digital activist hashtags such as #MeToo and #March4Justice as case studies through which to examine this. 

Feminist digital activist hashtags and the individual 

Feminist digital campaigns and hashtags can deeply impact individuals who engage in these campaigns. Matich et al (2019) describe the individual engagement and affect as “the micro level” of activism (pg .351). Sexual assault survivors have reported profound and lifechanging experiences from participating in a hashtag campaign (Keller, 2017). Some have been moved to report or talk about their abuse for the first time, while others find themselves supported and embraced by the online community the hashtag creates. This is evidenced by sexual assault survivor Isabella Murray’s experience who decided to join Twitter and share her story for the first time after Grace Tame became Australian of year (Blau, A. 2021). Describing her experience, Murray states: 

“I have found my tribe…. Already, the support is wonderful. So many of my kind  contacting me —I had no idea they were there waiting for me, or that there are  so many of us out there.” (Blau, A. 2021, para. 12) 

Murray’s comments are also reflective of Mendes et al’s (2018) research which found that participants in digital feminist activist hashtags benefited from a considerable amount of support in the feminist hashtag networks.  Seemingly small gestures such as a retweet, a short direct message or a click of the “heart” or “like” button meant a great deal to the women and girls who shared their stories and went a long way to them feeling supported (Mendes et al, 2018). Consequently, the effect of feminist hashtag campaigns is considerable on individuals and they “are doing meaningful and worthwhile work in building networks of solidarity” (Mendes et al, 2018, pg. 238).  

Furthermore, the strong and supportive networks some feminist hashtags create could go some way to substantiating why some feminist hashtags such as #Metoo and #BelieveHer are still very popular and used daily, many years after they first started trending on social media (Li et al, 2020). The strong and supportive networks are formed from the persistent and pervasive contact that social media affords: That is the constant presence and contact and exchange of text or media (Hampton, 2016). Additionally, strong ties and relationships are formed when individuals disclose something personal or intimate about themselves, or what Hampton describes as the “bonding social capital” (Hampton, 2016, pg. 116) When individuals post something personal about themselves, others tend to feel closer to that person and in turn are more compelled to engage with their posts (Hampton, 2016). Due to the highly personal nature of most feminist hashtags, it is easy to see how strong networks are formed across the networks.  

Although many individuals report feelings of solidarity and support, they face extensive complexities when it comes to the use of feminist hashtags such as #MeToo and #BeenRapedNeverReported in particular. (Mendes et al, 2018). On the one hand, survivors feel supported, heard and part of a tribe such as Murray described. At the same time, survivors report being extremely traumatised by the hashtags, or what Keller (2017) describes as “the double bind of hashtags: triggering and comforting” (pg. 2). #BeenRapedNeverReported was tweeted millions of times when it was trending in 2014 (Mendes et, al, 2018). Despite the immense number of tweets, women and sexual assault survivors reported agonising over whether to post their stories: they worried about what other people might think, or whether they would be ignored and reported countless sleepless nights (Mendes et, al, 2018). However, once the survivors and women overcame these emotional and mental barriers, they ultimately found comfort in the supportive networks they found in these hashtags. In this way, if feminist hashtags are ultimately making survivors feel supported and comforted, they are valuable, regardless if any societal change or action has occurred (Keller, 2017).  

It is this “double bind” of hashtags – the supportive and the traumatising that elicits an immense mental toll and emotional barriers that hold women back from participating in a feminist hashtag campaign. (Mendes, et.al, 2018). Furthermore, it is well documented that social media can often be a hostile environment and participants in feminist digital activist hashtags can be exposed and encounter further abuse or trolling in an often vulnerable moment. (Blau, 2021) Yet, Mendes et al’s (2018) research found that although women and girls may encounter trolling, threats and abuse, ultimately the benefits of participating in the feminist hashtag campaigns outweighed the disadvantages and the participants “largely persisted in their digital feminist activities” (pg. 243). Like many people experiencing trolling or abuse online, the women in Mendes et al (2018) research developed a range of strategies to help them cope with the abuse. Such strategies included blocking and muting the users, avoiding in engaging with abusive users and engaging in digital vigilante tactics (Mendes, et.al, 2018).  

Feminist digital activism and the power of crowds  

Following the micro level of digital feminist activism and the influence on individuals is the meso level of digital activism. The meso level aids a participatory atmosphere across diverse activists and communities to converge in the same online space to address a shared concern Matich et al (2019). Digital feminist activism and the corresponding hashtags campaigns are extremely effective at mobilising people to protest in the digital space. The digital protest also has the added advantage of reaching global audiences. Posts, photos, videos, and content online can be shared and viewed millions of times which will significantly eclipse any protest that would take place exclusively is a physical space. (Matich et al, 2019) The hashtag campaigns are particularly effective in this area where anyone can pick up and propagate a hashtag and fill it with their own stories and content. As Maitich et al state: the “Digital space allows the protest to continue to make an impact long after protestors go home. “(Matich et al, 2019, pg 341) 

Although feminist digital activism is extremely effective in mobilising people to protest online, it is also highly effective in mobilising people to gather offline. By utilising feminist digital activist hashtags, it is now easier than ever to mobilise, organise and inspire people to feminist movements and spark a feminist activist revival. (Baer, 2016) Many scholars (Baier, 2016; Matich et al, 2019; Mendes et al, 2018; Li et al, 2020; Keller 2017) express as sense of optimism in the role that feminist digital activism plays: 

“Indeed, no other form of activism has had the capability to mobilise thousands within  minutes, enabling those invested in social justice to play their part through  crowdfunding activity, consciousness-raising efforts and a call-out culture, by providing  a platform for radical forms of education, by providing space and visibility for  marginalised bodies and identities, and through the formation of online communities  and knowledge sharing platforms.” (Matich et al, 2019, pg 345) 

Exemplifying this sentiment is Australian feminist Janine Hendry who sparked the recent women’s rights protests and the #March4Justice. When angered and frustrated by recent sexual assault allegations within the Federal Australian Government, Hendry tweeted out the following on February 25: 

“Ok here’s my thought – is it possible to form a ring of people around the perimeter of  Parl Hse? Then all of us extremely disgruntled women could travel to Canberra on  March 8 and form a ring linking arms and with our backs turned toward the parliament  and stand in silent protest.” (Hendry, 2021) 

Although the date for protest subsequently changed to March 15, what then ensued was the hashtag #March4Justice and Australia’s largest women’s rights march in recent years coming together in cities and towns across the country. In just over 2 weeks since Hendry’s initial tweet, by using the hashtag #March4Justice, Hendry and fellow organisers were able to mobilise thousands of women across the country, command discussion on mainstream media and spark debate in federal parliament. However, although it is still early days, what remains to be seen is any action from parliament or change in societal sentiment.   

Feminist digital activism: Cause for optimism, but still a long way to go 

Feminist digital activist hashtags have many beneficial impacts as aforementioned on the micro and meso levels: benefiting sexual abuse survivors, women and girls alike with feelings of solidarity and mobilising thousands of people to the streets and millions of people to online protests. However, how much change can a hashtag actually affect when it comes to concepts on the macro level such as influencing political change, conviction for abusers or changing deeply and long held societal stereotypes and beliefs? Some scholars believe that “unfortunately, no matter how well intended, a hashtag can’t really erase decades of stereotyping” (Gamble, I. 2016 as cited by Matich et al, 2019, pg 354). However, there is a more optimistic view that although exceedingly difficult to identify or recognise, there are some signs that change is possible on the macro level because great change occurs at the micro and meso levels (Matich et al, 2019) From this prospective, “particularly through the powerful partnering of activism and technology”, (Matich et al, 2019, pg 354) substantial changes such as altering long held societal beliefs may happen over time through the subtle changes that occur from individuals participating in a hashtag campaign or attending a protest on the streets.  

High profile feminist hashtags such as #Metoo can have an effect of raising feminist consciousness over time which is essential to shifting long held societal beliefs (Keller, 2017). Keller’s (2017) research found that many women or girls did not start identifying as a feminist, until after they had shared their story online and connected with a multitude of supportive women with similar story. The sheer number of women across the network experiencing and going through the same emotions and challenges helped the women and girls “recognise that sexual violence was a structural problem, rather than an individual experience” (Keller, 2017, pg. 2) 

In the opposite situation, long held societal beliefs on the macro level are being disrupted from the male perspective. Li et al (2020) believe that feminist digital activist campaigns could help to prevent a potential perpetrator from committing an abuse in the first place. For instance, some people may come to the realization that survivors are now more empowered to share their story and potentially ‘out’ their abuser (Li, et al, 2020) The potential fear of being held to account on social media could perhaps deter someone from committing an assault (Li et al, 2020). Others are educated on what sexual assault is and the impact in can have on victims (Li et al, 2020).  Australia began its own #Metoo reckoning in February of this year, and after weeks of relentless, terrible revelations from female politicians, schoolgirls and women everywhere across the country, some men felt “a sickening moment of truth” (Salmin and Bali, 2021, para. 1) after realising they had committed sexual assault. At the time of assault, they did not realise their behaviour was problematic, however after weeks of mainstream and social media saturation, they were able to come to that realisation (Salmin and Bali, 2021).  

Public opinion and societal sentiment can be changed little by little over a long period of time (Matich et al, 2019,) This change can be helped along by a strong online network of passionate people that are highly dedicated to the feminist movement. These people are likely to frequently post online and consistently engage with people over the feminist hashtag networks. Over time from prolonged exposure, more people are recruited to the feminist cause. Furthermore, “from this energy grows people power and with this more influence to dictate what is popular, successful and acceptable” (Matich et al, 2019, pg. 358) Thus, after continued relentless publicity, exposure, debate and engagement, societal shifts could be possible. Indeed, since #MeToo trended in 2017 in the US Harvey Weinstein was eventually convicted and here in Australia feminist issues are becoming regular public discussions.  

However, although the arguments outlined in this paper have been quite optimistic so far, it must be recognised that the social media platforms these feminist digital activist hashtags are hosted on are monopolistic companies that profit immensely from successful hashtags that trend overtime (Keller, 2017). The social media platforms can amass large amounts of personal data and sell to advertisers (Keller, 2017). Furthermore, Keller implores us to ask the difficult question of: 

“what it means for digital feminist consciousness raising and solidarity to be intimately connected to the digital capitalism promoted by the tech sector – one of the most sexist industries today,” (Keller, 2018, pg. 3) 

Undoubtedly, the question raised is difficult and one that is not easy to answer, however it must be considered along with all arguments when contemplating the capabilities and limitations of feminist digital activism and hashtags. 

Despite this, digital feminist hashtags do have the ability to influence and affect individuals deeply. The hashtags allow for the creation of supportive networks and have the ability to make individuals, survivors, women and girls feel empowered and comforted when they tell their stories and connect with other like-minded people. Digital feminist hashtags are also extremely effective in mobilising people incredibly quickly to protest in the streets as evidenced by the recent #March4Justice carried out across Australia. The feminist hashtags also have the ability to mobilise vast networks of global populations online and allow the protest to continue perpetually. It is the perpetual ongoing nature of the feminist hashtag campaigns that could eventually lead to policy change and even influence or change long held societal beliefs. However, ultimately, as Keller (2017) suggests, if a feminist hashtag is making sexual assault survivors, women and girls feel supported and comforted, they are valuable, regardless of if any societal change or action has occurred.  

References 

Blau, A. (2021, March 17). Social Media is driving the latest wave of activism on social media but there are risks. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-17/social-media-rape-sexual-assault-disclosures-since-higgins-tame/13252440 

Baer, H. (2016) Redoing feminism: digital activism, body politics, and neoliberalism, Feminist Media Studies, 16:1, 17-34, DOI: 10.1080/14680777.2015.1093070 

Hampton, K. N. (2016). Persistent and Pervasive Community: New Communication Technologies and the Future of Community. American Behavioral Scientist, 60(1), 101–124. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764215601714 

Hendry, J. [@janine_hendry]. (2021, February 25). Ok here’s my thought-is it possible to form a ring of people around the perimeter of Parl Hse? [Tweet]. Twitter.    

Keller, J., Assistant Professor in Critical,Media Studies, & University, o. C. (2017, Oct 25). #MeToo campaign brings conversation of rape to the mainstream. The Canadian Press https://link.library.curtin.edu.au/gw?url=https://www-proquest-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/wire-feeds/metoo-campaign-brings-conversation-rape/docview/1956166097/se-2?accountid=10382 

Li, M, Turki, N, Izaguirre, CR, DeMahy, C, Thibodeaux, BL, Gage, T. Twitter as a tool for social movement: An analysis of feminist activism on social media communities. J Community Psychol. 2021; 49: 854– 868. https://doi-org.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/10.1002/jcop.22324 

Matich, M., Ashman, R., & Parsons, E., (2019) #freethenipple – digital activism and embodiment in the contemporary feminist movement, Consumption Markets & Culture, 22:4, 337-362, DOI: 10.1080/10253866.2018.1512240 

Mendes, K., Ringrose, J., & Keller, J. (2018). #MeToo and the promise and pitfalls of challenging rape culture through digital feminist activism. European Journal of Women’s Studies, 25(2), 236–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350506818765318 

Salman, D. & Bali, M. (2021, March 30) ‘I felt pure shame’: How these men have come to realise they sexually assaulted someone. ABC News, Triple J Hack.  https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/young-men-sexual-assault-reckoning/13280118 

21 thoughts on “The effectiveness of feminist hashtags such as #MeToo on empowering women, mobilising protests and enacting political and societal change

  1. Hi Elissa,

    It’s amazing to read how social media platform such as digital feminist hashtags have been effective in mobilizing people to protest in Australia and potentially globally.

    This is another platform that could be used to connect and gather support from the online and offline communities to fight for injustice against women. Thanks to social media.

    Best regards,
    Elaine

  2. Hi Elissa,
    I really enjoy your paper, we tends to forget how online movement like the #metoo movement have a real impact on the real life and do help victims!
    Good Work!

  3. Hi Elissa

    I thoroughly enjoyed your paper. I specifically like how you focused on the different levels of effect; the micro, meso and macro interactions, and the impacts they have on an individual. I also like how you’ve analysed and explained exactly how these interactions build and foster Feminist identities and communities. Your analysis of current events that utilised hashtags such as #MeToo and #March4Justice provides an insightful and relevant case for the use of hashtags in facilitating the Feminist movement.

    I was particularly interested in the section where you mention that women can face hostility and abuse on these platforms, and have such developed and implemented strategies to protect them from these behaviours. Do you think there is more that can be done on these platforms – or perhaps by the platforms themselves – to protect women from this sort of behaviour?

    1. Hi Lauren,

      Thanks so much for the feedback!

      Yes, unfortunately trolling and abuse are all too common on these platforms. I’m not sure what the solution would be, but I think the platforms should be doing more to help protect women and girls from further abuse.
      Perhaps greater moderation of the platforms would help somewhat. If people knew they were being monitored more closely and potentially alerted to authorities, it might help to deter some people.

      Thanks again,
      Elissa

  4. Hi Elissa,

    This was great – some really interesting research that you’ve highlighted!

    I thought this was particularly pertinent:

    The sheer number of women across the network experiencing and going through the same emotions and challenges helped the women and girls “recognise that sexual violence was a structural problem, rather than an individual experience” (Keller, 2017, pg. 2)

    The concept of sheer volume of participation in the hashtags being the thing to indicate a structural problem makes me quite sad to think about, but I also think it raises some interesting questions about how hashtag activism in this manner has the capacity to impact policy decisions. Is the only route to policy change still the traditional activism, thus requiring hashtags to convert people into offline activism, or is there a scenario in which demonstrating need and impact via a hashtag is enough to drive further investigation?

    When I consider that the height of fervor for #MeToo was 2017/2018, I find it interesting that Australia’s government are only just now having a reckoning with this, only now that it’s come into their own halls.

    I also thought this was interesting:

    Li et al (2020) believe that feminist digital activist campaigns could help to prevent a potential perpetrator from committing an abuse in the first place.

    I’m not sure I am inclined to agree with that research. I do agree with the point you made in there being value to these hashtags bringing awareness to men about the experience of women, even if I don’t believe it should be up to women to relieve their trauma in order to bring awareness to an issue. Do you think this source intended to infer that being publically shamed would be a potentia deterrent for someone going to commit assault, or do you think it was more broadly implying that people who may have committed assault are becoming educated about structural issues and no longer being inclined towards assault?

    It’s a complex topic! I really enjoyed your take on it – thank you for sharing!

    1. Hi Maddison,

      Thanks for taking the time to read and for the interesting comments and questions!

      In regard to your question – can online activism exist without offline activism.
      I can’t actually think of any examples that would suggest that it can. (Although I’m sure there is probably some examples out there!)
      Even the hashtag campaign #FreeTheNipple which is in response to Facebook and Instagram’s policy that you cannot post pictures of female nipples – you would think that it would be an online only form of activism. However it has mobilised thousands of women across the world to march together offline.
      I think ultimately it is hard to seperate online and offline activism.

      Yes, it is kind of sad that it has taken Australia so long to get to a #Metoo moment, but I think that our defamation laws here are so strong that it has been hard in the past for the campaign to really take off. As Andrew mentions in his comment below, the movement here is now stalling a bit due to in part the lawsuit launched by Christian Porter. It seems the laws here make it much harder for a movement like this to gain traction.

      How feminist hashtag campaigns like #Metoo can affect men is definitely an area for further research. The research I mention in my paper is the only source I could find on the topic however they were broadly saying that for some men becoming educated on the structural issues led them to not assault. For other men, it was the fear of being publicly ousted that led them to not assault. It is this second point that i’m not sure I agree with either. If someone was in that headspace to sexually assault, I don’t think they will be thinking of the potential online backlash. However, as I said, more research needs to be done in this area. Like you say, it is complex issue on many levels!

      Thanks again for comments Maddison!
      Kind regards,
      Elissa

  5. Hi Elise,

    Fascinating paper on a topic that I found quite eye opening and very informative, exploring hashtags specifically centered around the movements themselves I find an area not quite focused on given the fact the events, content and news around what happened to spur this hashtag often takes the main focus.

    My question to you is how do you feel the #MeToo hashtags and movements for example will shape the long-term effects of places like Hollywood which has long been infamous for rape and mistreatment of both female and male actors (Brendan Fraser comes to mind for example), especially when it has faded from public conscious?

    It’s unfortunate in my opinion we have few journalists/news agency that hold our current Australian government to account (bias from News Corporation or the atmosphere of fear as we’ve seen with Christian Porter launching defamation lawsuits) and I see the recent #March4Justice losing its momentum in public eye, hopefully not too out of scope of your paper.

    Cheers,

    Andrew.

    1. Hi Andrew,

      Thanks for your feedback and great questions!

      I think #Metoo has had quite a profound effect on Hollywood. Actors such as Kevin Spacey who were accused of sexual assault have not been allowed back into the industry and their films/shows have basically been cancelled.
      Also, since the #Metoo reckoning they have now brought in intimacy coordinators or coaches on set who help actors and directors safely choreograph sex scenes so everyone feels comfortable and safe during filming.
      However there is still a long way to go to equality and representation, but I think this is very, very slowly changing. The Oscars are a reflection of how lacking they are still in this area. For example only 2 women in its 93 year history have one best director.

      Yes, I agree the Australian media is terrible when it comes to bias, and the defamation laws certainly don’t help! But in regards to the #March4Justice campaign – activist hashtag campaigns such as these tend to flair up, burn bright, gain lots of attention and then naturally die out. However in the meantime they achieved a mass consciousness raising and possibly affected some change along the way. For example the government’s latest 2021 budget is the most they have spent on women in years.
      I read a great article by Annabel Crabb recently who attributed the #March4Justice to this slight improvement in government spending:

      ” the sensible conclusion would be that the improvement is due to the women who rallied and marched and wrote in and got angry and made it impossible politically for the government not to do better. ” (Crabb, 2021, para. 30)

      It is in this way that activist campaigns can affect small amounts of change overtime, until eventually we reach some kind equality.

      Thanks again for your questions Andrew!

      Cheers,
      Elissa

      References:
      https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/04/16/inside-world-intimacy-coordinators-who-choreograph-sex-scenes-hbo-netflix-more/

      Crabb, A. (2021, 12 May ) Does the Federal Budget deliver for women?, ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-11/federal-budget-women/13339300

  6. Hi Elissa,

    I really enjoyed reading your paper! I like how you emphasised the importance of hashtags at creating a sense support for women. I think this is very important to build confidence in activist communities and eventually empower action. One of arguments that I hear against hashtags are that they hinder advocacy movements by facilitating ‘slacktivism’ (Gilmore, 2014). Although this argument is valid because some people use hashtags to show support for movements like feminism without committing to further action, I think they are still important to establish a sense of togetherness and solidarity, which can eventually lead to societal change. Therefore, I think that the success of activist efforts, like using hashtags, should be measured in different ways other than how they translate to action. If a hashtag is successful at strengthening community ties, this should be seen as a win for the activist movement!

    You have included a quote from someone describing their experience with using hashtags, and they claim, “So many of my kind [are] contacting me — I had no idea they were there waiting for me, or that there are so many of us out there” (Blau, A. 2021, para. 12). I think this is great because it highlights the importance of hashtags bringing people together and creating a sense of support. I was going to ask if you think hashtags could also increase trolling by making it easier for anti-feminists to search and abuse unsuspecting feminists, however, you mentioned later in your paper that you believe the benefits of hashtags outweighs the risks and I agree with you.

    However, considering that some popular feminist hashtags, such as #metoo, are used millions of times, some people’s posts are sure to become lost in the sea of other content attached to the hashtag and receive little visibility. Do you think that this reduces a sense of community in feminist movements and hinders activist movements? Also do you think that people who do not receive support and validation from others after using a hashtag, due to their post being lost in a flood of similar content, can become discouraged?

    Thanks again for sharing this article, I found it very interesting and I look forward to your response!

    1. Hi Rebekah,

      Thank you for taking the time to read and for your insightful comments! Yes, slactivists will show support in a movement without committing to further action. However, I disagree that they will hinder an activist hashtag movement. I think they are an important part of an activist hashtag movement as they help a hashtag to gain traction and make the movement visible to a wider number of people.

      We had a good discussion about trolling over at your paper! We do have similar views. It can be very difficult for individuals, but the support and solidarity they receive from the feminist community can help them to be better equipped to deal with it.

      You raise some very good questions! Firstly, to answer your question if I think the sense of community might be reduced due to the huge number of hashtags. Nothing in my research so far has suggested that this may be the case. This may be because of the highly personal nature of the content in the #Metoo hashtag in particular. Strong ties and relationships are formed when individuals disclose something personal or intimate about themselves (Hampton, 2016) In turn, the reader feels closer to the individual and is compelled to engage with them.

      If however, someone does not receive support and validation after using a hashtag, yes – I believe it would discourage them from participating in the movement further. As I briefly mentioned in my paper- women and girls will spend days agonising over whether to post and/or disclose an abuse. It was only the support they received that validated them and encouraged them to continue in participating in the activist hashtag online.

      Thanks again for your questions Rebekah!
      Kind regards,
      Elissa

      Hampton, K. N. (2016). Persistent and Pervasive Community: New Communication Technologies and the Future of Community. American Behavioral Scientist, 60(1), 101–124. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764215601714

  7. Hi Elissa!

    What an insightful piece of writing! The fact that social media can instigate social change is amazing and it really makes us appreciate the development of these technologies.

    Hashtags are a powerful tool that is used to form online communities as people with the same interests or experiences. I find this tool to be an amazing tool as it allows people to feel comfortable and take solemn in the fact that they are not the only ones facing this.

    I like how you’ve explored 2 hashtags within the essay and the focus of the essay was also on feminism.

    I’ve writing a similar essay in terms of topic and I would love for you to check it out and give me some feedback 🙂 My essay focuses on Twitter and the ability it has to fuel social changes such as the #MeTooMovement through the hashtag tool
    Here’s the link 🙂
    https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2021/2021/04/25/social-media-platforms-are-able-to-establish-online-sexual-harassment-communities-within-the-social-media-and-communities-stream-to-provide-significant-necessary-support-to-sexual-harassmen/

    1. Hi Saranya,

      Thanks for your feedback! Yes, it’s amazing that a simple hashtag can have the effect that it does. Arguably, as I discussed in my paper and you touch on in your comment here, the most effect it can have is on the micro level and the individuals that engage with it.

      I will certainly take a look at your paper. Sounds great.

      Thanks,
      Elissa

    2. Hi Saranya,

      Thanks for your feedback! Yes, it amazing how much change a simple hashtag can bring about. Arguably, as I mentioned in my paper and you touched on in your comment here, the most change happens at the micro level and individuals. Women and girls can get a lot of solidarity from joining in on particular hashtags.

      I will certainly take a look at your paper. It sounds like we touch on similar subjects!

      Thanks,
      Elissa

  8. Hi Elissa!
    This is a very interesting and unique paper with such a strong and inspired point. Hashtags of course such a powerful and impactful feature of almost every social media nowadays to bring together communities and make individuals feel a sense of belonging without judgement from contrasting perspectives in differing communities.

    I admire how you were able to use the specific example of hashtags’ effectiveness on empowering women and affecting a community of assault survivors. Amazing job at highlighting certain hashtags like #MeToo and #BeenRapedNeverReported to target even more particular communities or micro-communities. Your inclusion of personal comments by affected survivors as well as academic sources was an excellent move and I believe these would be extremely helpful for others who may have been in similar situations to relate to.

    All in all, this is a very important and current issue that was given a rightful spotlight by yourself and has all the potential to help even more women who identify with these unfortunate situations.

    My conference paper has a more basic and over-arching stand on how social media like TikTok impacts users’ sexuality expression, yet there are quite a few similarities. I included a passage about hashtags in my paper and would like your feedback on it if you would like to take a look. https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2021/2021/04/27/the-impact-of-tiktoks-online-communities-on-users-sexuality-expression/

    Thank you!
    – Rachelle

    1. Hi Rachelle,

      Thank you for your feedback! I was actually inspired to write this paper because I was dabbling in a little hashtag activism myself just at the time of all the sexual assault and harassment allegations coming out of parliament house and I was feeling angry and helpless to the situation. Subsequently after writing the paper, I felt more optimistic about the power hashtag activism can have on feminist issues.

      Also after delving into the micro communities and networks that hashtags such as #BeenRapedNeverReported afforded gave me a further sense of optimism as I found out how supportive and important they are to many people.

      I will definitely take a look at your paper. I’m very interested to read your take on Tik Tok hashtags.

      Cheers,
      Elissa

      1. Hi Elissa!

        That is so great to hear that you were so inspired to write this paper after such passion for your topic! It’s amazing how writing about it helped your emotions and outlook!
        Thank you for looking at my paper!

        – Rachelle

  9. Hi Elisa,

    Thanks for writing such as well thought out, well-written paper on a current issue that I find to be very relevant and important at the moment. I was aware of how hashtags can mobilise large groups of people into action or categorise information on issues, so they are easier to find online. But I hadn’t considered the positive impact hashtags had on women’s emotional well-being. It makes sense (and you have it backed-up by academia here) that survivors who have suffered similar abuses would feel empowered by seeing these hashtags all over the Internet. And empowerment may encourage disclosure, taking action and feeling less alone.

    In my experience, as a survivor of sexual abuse and assault, the abuse itself is not necessarily the only trauma I have had to work through and heal. The aftermath, i.e. people’s lack of insight, judgement and lack of belief in my truth, has been far more damaging. All too often, women are let down by their families, society and the justice system when they should be believed, supported and receive help and justice. Support systems for victims are so lacking and leave victims feeling so isolated, ashamed and alone that it doesn’t surprise me that something as simple as a hashtag can make a difference to some women. The building of solidarity and the possibility to create strong ties through the weak-tie affordances of platforms and hashtags is heartening too.

    Well done for mentioning the possible downside of hashtags, because they can be triggering for some victims. It would be difficult for any survivor in the current media climate not to be triggered whenever they turn on the news or the Internet. And I agree that as much as it is challenging to be confronted by these issues and the bad memories, or flashbacks of trauma, it is also therapeutic in the long run. At least we can turn the TV or computer off if we need to. Still, it is comforting to know that there are communities of women out there, connected by these hashtags, ready to offer support if needed in the future.

    I am also optimistic that a simple hashtag can make a difference in re-positioning topics that women feel are relevant in society and culture. Women can circulate issues to become ubiquitous on their terms; as the #metoo movement has done. Of course, the ownership of Internet platforms is another big issue that I won’t get into here. I’m not naïve to think that a hashtag will change the world. Cultural and structural systems and the individual conscience and insight of perpetrators will take a long time to change and require many approaches and paths. But hashtags can undoubtedly contribute to this change in the ways you have outlined here.

    I’d be interested in having your thoughts on my paper, Virtual support communities: supporting survivors of sexual assault, as I think we touch on some similar points. https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2021/2021/04/26/virtual-support-communities-supporting-survivors-of-sexual-assault/

    Thanks again for a great read. I enjoyed it!

    Cheers,
    Eve

    1. Hi Eve,

      Thanks for your feedback and thank you for sharing your personal experience in this. It is certainly a sad indictment on our society that women and girls are left without support systems in the offline world. It is a monumental problem in all levels of society and it is overwhelming thinking about how it can possibly be fixed. In this sense it is easy to feel pessimistic about how much change a hashtag can actually bring about. However if a hashtag can make just a small change to a survivor’s wellbeing then that is at least a start. So in this way, I too feel optimistic about power of hashtags.

      Yes, it would be hard for survivors in this current environment here in Australia, where it seems almost daily there is a terrible disclosure of sexual abuse. I can imagine some days it would not be as easy as simply turning off the TV or computer as most of us have to use the computer or phones to work, it is very difficult to avoid the news and social media notifications as soon as we touch our phones or open the computer screens.
      Yet as you say, although triggering and awful at the time, it may at least be therapeutic in the long run. As Grace Tame has said it is important to bring these stories out into the light and hear them so we can then all look at them as a society and in turn make structural change. Like you say however, it will take generations to fix.

      I will certainly take a look at your paper, I will be interested to read your take on these issues further.

      Thanks again,
      Elissa

  10. Hi Elissa – Awesome paper – thanks for sharing! It’s amazing to see how powerful social media is in providing comfort, empowerment and the space to mobilise groups of women to come together to protest these awful incidents. I was also deeply troubled to read that this movement caused some men to experience a “sickening moment of truth” as I had thought that when men committed these atrocious acts that they were aware of it and not something they did seemingly without realisation. We obviously still have a long way to go.

    I have to admit that I had only thought that the use of #metoo would work to bring people together and hadn’t considered the possibility of the triggering aspects of seeing certain hashtags after surviving a sexual assault. I wonder if this trauma lessens at all as the topic is discussed more?

    — Kate

    1. Hi Kate,
      Thanks for the feedback!

      Yes, it is shocking to realise how much more work needs to be done to educate people about sexual assault. As I touched on in the paper, hopefully after a sustained period of time of being exposed to the content in these feminist hashtags it helps to raise awareness to the issues. It will take a long time however, and it is only a tiny solution to a huge problem.

      Your question is a very good one for further research, it is not something I came across in my research for this paper. I found that the hashtags were useful for women and girls to feel supported, however I’m not sure their trauma was lessened. It is certainly a traumatising subject however and I guess that is the reason why most news reports discussing sexual assault will precede with a trigger warning and/or follow with a list of places to get help if the report brought up any issues.

      Thanks again,
      Elissa

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