Category: Communities and Social Media

This stream focuses on contemporary issues and specifically the way the communities have embraced, adapted, and formed around to digital and social media.

Abstract Social media has revolutionized the e-commerce industry. It provides tools to marketers for promoting their products. Strong social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube account for a sizeable portion of traffic directed towards e-commerce websites. Social media platforms allow e-commerce businesses to create brand awareness, gain feedback, provide cost-effective marketing solutions and influence customer purchasing decisions. Users actively participate Read more [...]
  Abstract Without doubt or any question if anyone or single innovation has changed the world it is the internet technologies and especially social media. It has transferred and converted the world into one digital village totally making geographical isolation a meaningless argument. Initially considered to be a tool for conveying and sending messages it has immersed itself as a source that has made a mark in all spheres of life, whether healthcare, education and knowledge sharing, Read more [...]
Abstract   The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of social media influencers in general and to outline the various effects they have on adolescence. There will also be some concern about how brands use social media influencers to promote their products and content. This paper was divided into two sections: "Impact of social media influencers on teens" and "How brands promote their products and content through social media influencers". As a result, peer-reviewed Read more [...]
  Communities and Web 2.0: The use of Web 2.0 and technology in education has evolved students’ knowledge and is the way to a successful future   Abstract  This study aims to persuade schools to provide more web 2.0 technologies in educational contexts by highlighting and giving evidence of students' and instructors' language and learning advancements using web 2.0. This paper will discuss the benefits and positive impacts of utilizing web 2.0 and Read more [...]
Social and digital media have become a vital part of our everyday lives. The internet has made this possible, anyone with an internet connection can communicate with anyone around the world in just seconds. Despite contradictions, social and digital media platforms have created a more connected community. Social media allows the freedom to broadcast whenever an individual chooses to broadcast on their social media page whether it is appropriate or not whether it is positive or negative individuals Read more [...]
The Internet plays a significant part in our everyday lives, in contemporary society. Most people have access to smart devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets with connectivity to the Internet. This new ability to connect with friends and families, instantaneously via the Internet, also introduced people to the world of new technologies, social media platforms and applications that are used as mediums to connect people, provide them with built-in tools to create user-generated content Read more [...]
  Social media raises awareness of current affairs and spreads influences. However, it is also an outlet for negativity and adverse political discourse.    Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are popular with users worldwide. These platforms brought people and organisations together, allowing them to connect and interact in real-time (Vanderkaay, 2010). Many users are probably unaware of the downsides of social media. Usually, the positive traits Read more [...]
Community is changing, but is alive and well on the Internet. Online media and social networks help people connect with each other and support community. (e.g. Hampton and Wellman, 2018) – Disagree. Community is constantly changing and adapting to suit the present. Technology is constantly evolving to allow advancement. In today’s society, technology is formulating the basis of communication and connections between people. It is often argued that new technologies may contribute to the Read more [...]
    Online communities have the ability to create a strong sense of community on a global scale, which is evident in the international participation in the online language learning site, Duolingo.   Technological advances, and the evolution of social media, have allowed for people to create and connect with each other like never before. Social media allows for people to be able to ingest information and educate themselves on an infinite range of worldwide topics with the Read more [...]
How social media misinformation is leading to eating disorders in young people.   Trigger warning This paper contains detailed information about eating disorders and symptoms. Abstract  I chose the stream of social media and communication as it's where I’m most interested, especially after reading further into the power of virtual communities. I decided to dive further into how social media provides a platform to spread misinformation about diets resulting Read more [...]
New technologies and their integration into modern-day life have begun to change the traditional ideas of what community is defined as. Social media platforms such as Tik Tok have created a virtual sphere in which different communities are created and can interact with one another. Tik Tok has, in many ways, created numerous communities and groups and has even redefined the ways in which people can communicate with each other when compared to the early understandings of community and interaction. Read more [...]
      Twitch has evolved from a game-streaming platform, to streamers presenting a program for their followers within a conventional (Nabatchi & Leighninger, 2015), yet digital community in a third place that the audience subscribes to because of their interests and likes. One of the key factors for this change comes from the shift in what a community now looks like, courtesy of the presence of social media. The other is, the way that societies have experienced Read more [...]
                          Even before the creation of Tumblr, for LGBTQ+ and gender diverse youth the internet has been an invaluable resource for finding information, friendship, and community in an otherwise hostile heteronormative and cisgendered world. With the advancement of mobile communications, internet connectivity, and of course, participatory media, queer users may find even greater connection online, but must also Read more [...]
Introduction: This assignment will investigate the connections that are made between criminal activity and social media platforms. Looking into the way that youth have directly had an impact into the way social media has dictated the way they are able to display their crimes.   Body: Over many generations the way the that people interact has had drastic changes; the largest impacts of social media are on the youth of today. Baby boomers had a different social media perspective Read more [...]
Abstract This paper looks at migrant communities all over the world and the way they utilise the affordances of social media platforms to stay connected with family back home, build community and retain culture. Drawing upon two ethnographic studies from migrants seeking asylum in Germany and the Netherlands, the paper analyses to what extent social media platforms have helped migrants bridge geographic and spatial boundaries. The discussion concludes that social media has mitigated the Read more [...]
  Abstract  In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a subsequent surge of misinformation has created a public health crisis. Social media platforms like WhatsApp have contributed to amplifying the spread of unsound health advice about COVID-19, drowning out of reliable information from scientific research advice. This has resulted in communities losing trust in our healthcare system, diminishing helpful advice based on rumours and conspiracy theories. This conference paper intends Read more [...]
Introduction   The recent pandemic has proved the essentiality of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter in finding better ways to stay connected and develop a better bond with your community. With the rapid improvement of technology over the set period, social media and many other platforms have increased drastically in usage, especially among young students/adults who are socially active and go out a lot. Social media is used by 90% of university students (Siddiqui & Read more [...]
Abstract Virtual Communities in theory can be a utopia of likeminded people who on the surface have the same viewpoint as each other. Delanty and Calhoun theorise can be perceived as being ‘thin’ by only focusing on one singular interest and therefore incapable of creating strong ties amongst their members. Fandoms in the broad sense can be a singular interest, but the nuances that fandoms have as a virtual community is that they are made of branches of different interests relating Read more [...]
This paper is analysing how social media has helped curate online communities as seen through celebrities, specifically through K-pop bands, as self-branding and online influencing have become a big part of marketing when it comes to promoting a brand. Moreover, this paper will focus on how social media affordances have helped curate these online communities and how online communities are just as important and prevalent in someone’s life as it is offline, and the positive impacts online Read more [...]
    Abstract:  TikTok is a very famous platform nowadays which plays an important role in our daily life. It counts millions of users and that is because it is very user-friendly and accessible. As usual with every social media platform gaining interest, there are online communities which tend to rise on those said platforms and this is the case with TikTok. The topic that will be discussed is the cultural awareness that is happening now in TikTok. To better understand the Read more [...]
Abstract In a multitude of ways, the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked devastation on society. Similar to how the pandemic drove social media use, social media use has influenced the epidemic. On the other hand, a pandemic has never spread as swiftly, and social media platforms have played a key role in information distribution. Lockdown on the other hand increased the number of domestic violence cases with victims being close to their abusers for a prolonged period. Domestic violence has been known Read more [...]
  ONLINE NETWORKS HAVE ALLOWED SOCIAL CHANGE MOVEMENTS SUCH AS BLM TO ADVANCE AND SPREAD INFORMATION FASTER AND WIDER.    Online Networks have allowed for social change movements to advance and spread news and information very fast. Movements such as Black Lives Matter have been able to spread news faster and create awareness for the current events and injustices occurring in our world (Auxer, 2020). Black Lives Matter is a decentralised political and social movement that Read more [...]
Abstract This paper discusses the live streaming platform Twitch, and how it allows for communities to thrive on the internet. The platform affordances are examined to understand why the website is particularly good at forming relationships and communities between people, and also how this sense of community positively effects the lives of those who are involved in them. Particularly the way that Twitch helps users get through difficult periods in their ‘real’ lives using discussions Read more [...]
With society seemingly sharing more information online every day, privacy and security is on the forefront of the minds of people today, especially with the recent increase in internet data leaks and breaches that have plagued social networking sites. Both Twitter and Facebook have experienced several major data breaches in the last 5 years with the largest being the April 2019 Facebook data breach where private data from 533 million users was leaked online in 2019 (BBC, 2021). The apparent Read more [...]
Abstract The primary commitment of YouTube over conventional media devices is that the user-generated content is consistently there and accessible whenever both the audiences and clients might want to get to it.   Its' Broadcast Yourself 'approach urges clients to become media engineers, and consequently, anybody from one side of the planet to the other-who can access The Internet can shape the way of life through YouTube, which is characterized by a participatory culture.   Read more [...]
  With the emergence of Web 2.0, and it’s support for user-generated content came what is commonly referred to as ‘social media sites’ (GeeksforGeeks, 2022). Social Media, defined by Kietzmann et al. (2011) as having seven functionalities: “identity, conversations, sharing, presence, relationships, reputation, and groups” opens communication to a global scale, and brings with it a digital culture that has reshaped our society into a technological-reliant one (Correll, 2015). Read more [...]
Abstract It’s common knowledge that social media has become integrated into many people’s everyday life. Many people use social media to communicate, find information, and share experiences. As society’s focus shifts to social media, online communities are becoming extremely important to allow individuals to form connections and find a sense of belonging. The nature of community is changing as access to social media is transforming the ability for individuals to connect with Read more [...]
    Abstract Modern families no longer actively choose to live close to one another with work, schooling and many other factors driving the predilection for moving away from parents and siblings to secure better employment or achieve lifestyle goals rather than opt for the security of a close - by physical community. This change in community living has impacted seniors that are mostly the ones left behind as their children move away, they retire from work, and potentially Read more [...]
Social media has dramatically changed the way in which individuals go about their day to day lives. The simple task of keeping informed about global events has moved from print media to social media. Most humans all over the globe receive their daily intake of news and current events from their phones via social media. News corporations now all have some form of a social media account that their subscribers can interact with. This has caused multiple issues when it comes to credibility as Read more [...]
Abstract As online platforms are constantly being created and utilised globally, their ability to foster meaningful communities has become stronger points of discussion due to their ability to enhance, and in some cases become place holders for real life communities. This tendency to attract, build and maintain various communities can be attributed to the characteristic of ‘third places’, an idea coined by Ray Oldenburg, present in many online platforms. These third places are what Oldernburg Read more [...]
      Content Warning/Author Note The following paper contains discussions of triggering topics related to homophobia, mental illness, suicide/suicidal ideation, outing, physical and verbal abuse, and bullying, among others. Please carefully consider if this content is safe for you. If you are in a mental health crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. 'Queer' is used throughout the paper as a catch-all term for people who identify as part of the LGBTQI+ Read more [...]
The purpose of this paper is to help readers to understand the influence the social media app Tiktok now has on what’s trending in the fashion community. I will be arguing that in order for fashion companies targeted at Gen Z women to be relevant, they must have somewhat of a Tiktok presence relating to the stream of communities and social media. I will be discussing the works of Wellman and Abidin amongst others to support my argument as well as discussing concepts such as the networked Read more [...]
Araya Conference Paper Social media has changed the way we communicate and share information, many people have become so reliant on social media that it is hard to imagine life without it. We use social media to keep in touch with friends and family, share photos and videos, to find out what is happening in the world, and connect with businesses and organisations that are relevant to us. Communities provide us with a sense of belonging, they give us a space to share our experiences with like-minded Read more [...]
The term ‘community’ has fueled a variety of alternative views in a new technologically progressive age, with superior current generational advances working to skew, modernize and redesign its traditional definition. Firstly, we must ask ourselves, what is community? Is it a physical entity of strong local ties powered by face to face interactions and relationships? Or has social media and online communications propelled us forward to an exceptional time of inclusive, free and vast Read more [...]
  Chosen stream 1:  COMMUNITIES AND SOCIAL MEDIA  Abstract:   The Natural Hair movement, with the use of hashtags on Instagram has socially strengthened, in the online and offline world, the African community who have natural afro-textured hair. My aim in writing this paper is to share what I have discovered about how Africans with textured hair deal in society. The hashtag Natural Hair has paved the way for brighter days ahead as on the social media, known Read more [...]
Health and Fitness Influencers on TikTok are Spreading Misinformation to Young and Impressionable Audiences within their Community Abstract: This paper discusses how the emergence of health and fitness influencers on the social media platform TikTok have negatively contributed to the spread of misinformation within online communities. Although this is not a new issue within the world of social media, it does however pose as a pressing issue as unsubstantiated claims and misleading content Read more [...]
  Abstract Recent studies have discovered a correlation between online communities and the sharing of social and emotional support (Hercheui, 2011). Online communities have proven to be sources of support in isolation during the coronavirus pandemic, as the online community atmosphere has allowed individuals to communicate with others without the health risks of joining the physical world. Online communities assisted in communicating vital information about lockdowns, Read more [...]
SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS, A LIABILITY TO SOCIETY ?   ABSTRACT   This paper is about how online influencers are a liability to society. Online influencers are defined as the new celebrities and idols of society, they are admired, followed, loved by millions. In this case, we discuss who really are the influencers, how were they initiated and how they became marketing weapons used by the industry for one sole purpose the exposition of their products to the audience online. This Read more [...]
Social media algorithms and popular trends have influenced the perception of COVID-19 more than the truth. We are in an era where everything – news, entertainment, education, and social interaction is at our fingertips. It is not just instant accessibility to an endless pool of information, but it is also having the power to access these things whenever we want. Seeking the truth about issues such as COVID-19 will increasingly become an effort for users, as they navigate the web full of Read more [...]
It is not unknown that social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other popular platforms have become an integral part of many people's daily lives. For news, communication, and information, we rely on it. According to Hampton & Wellman (2018),"social media that allow for the articulation of social links and ongoing awareness—both online and offline community members' viewpoints and everyday activities"(p. 646).  Most of the countries around world were under Read more [...]
  This paper discusses the emotional and medical benefits of endometriosis online support groups on Facebook. Endometriosis is a largely misunderstood disease affecting the uterus and surrounding organs, it can lead to chronic pain, infertility and other dangerous health complications. Due to the gendered nature of endometriosis, the battles for patients extend beyond treatment and education. Endo support groups can prepare users with the necessary medical knowledge to negotiate with Read more [...]
Abstract This paper aims to discuss how Twitch.TV has revolutionised the ability for people in our society to have a career online. Specifically, how the site accomplishes this by providing a practical platform that aids in the creation and growth of communities, whilst facilitating the ability for network selves to thrive. These communities take the form of Twitch channels, where a third place exists for its consumers which can be seen in fleeting and plentiful Twitch chat boxes. Twitch Read more [...]
Social Media's Role in Diet Culture and its Effects on Body Dissatisfaction Abstract: The rise in social media usage in young people has seen the rise in different disorders related to diet and body dissatisfaction. This paper looks at the different effects social media has on young people and how diet culture among influencers can negatively impact this epidemic.  Read more [...]
Abstract  As individuals, we all have the desire to be part of a community as it enables us to interact with people of similar interests and give a sense of belonging. Twitter is a social media platform that has enabled online communities to form through social interactions. The fandom twitter community commonly referred to as “Stan Twitter” is a place in which fans interact with one another and celebrities to show their admiration and support. The community has supported and raised Read more [...]
Assignment11 Abstracts Under the huge impact of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2019. The short video platform Douyin (Chinese version of TikTok) rapidly developed into an E-commerce business in 2019 from the forced isolation policy and has achieved huge development. With the national rural revitalisation programme and the development of ecommerce in rural areas, live broadcast of products has become hotspots recently (Ren, Zhijun, 2021). TikTok immediately sold agricultural products in impoverished Read more [...]
Is social media beneficial for adolescents, harmful, or a combination of them both? In this essay, I choose communities and social media as my theme, with the main focus on social media and its positive impact on adolescence. My topic is relevant to the theme because both analyze the studies of online networks such as social media and their effects on social changes. In this case, I will concentrate on the impact on adolescents’ growth. From the essential reading, Dotson mentioned that Read more [...]
Abstract: This paper examines the effect that the rise in popularity of social media has had on individuals ability to find and create communities. Specifically, the effect this has had on disabled people and how it has made it communities easier to join and more accessible overall. We will first look at why community is so important and then move on to look at current examples on Twitch, Facebook, and YouTube. We will see how groups and communities for people from all walks of life have Read more [...]
Abstract This paper argues that our Generation Z population have made digital platforms, such as Instagram a third place. This generation has, especially during the pandemic built a secure Third Place, by using this platform as a sociological structure to function within society. This change has been adapted due to the characteristics, behaviours, and motives of this generation, and because they are online in a multi-use environment such as Instagram, influencers have used these same Read more [...]
Abstract Coronavirus lockdowns and physical distancing regulations have led to many people around the world having to isolate for varying lengths of times. In light of this, many have turned to communities on social media for support and connection. According to Bauman (2001), community helps us to feel cared for and secure, hence why it is sought after from generation to generation. This paper will address social media’s ability to foster communities, provide evidence as to how social Read more [...]
  Download Full Paper     Abstract   It is a fact that nowadays, people and businesses must be in correspondence with ever-changing technology. Organizations are spending more time enhancing their revenue through social media advertising and other activities. It has become essential for businesses to stay updated on social media platforms. To become successful in business, they must understand each community's perspectives and demands, so social Read more [...]
Maintaining levels of fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic became a worldwide problem as many gyms were forced to close. Failing to maintain fitness was a cause of many health-related problems, including mental health issues. One way to overcome the problem was fitness centres moving their classes and other programs online, but there were no guidelines or rules for doing so. This paper investigates the way in which some fitness centres used social media platforms to alleviate the problem of falling participation levels in the fitness industry. This paper examines numerous scholarly texts that looked at the third place and how that is increasingly including online spaces; texts that investigated the social aspects of both YouTube and Facebook as virtual third places; and texts that evaluated the motivations for engaging in fitness activities through online communities. These studies suggest that fitness programs can be moved online, providing all the right criteria are met, such as: social interaction and a sense of belonging, access to infrastructure, digital knowledge, and a sense of community. Without all of these factors, using social media platforms as online third places for people to engage in fitness programs, is likely to fail. Read more [...]
Abstract From work to social, our source for news and means of entertainment, it seems that social media has become inescapable as it permeates every realm of our every day lives. Social media has also been an instrumental tool for the development of online communities, allowing those with similarities to connect and share information regardless of their proximity with one another. One such community that has grown excessively in this digital era is the wellness community. Stemming from Read more [...]
Dangers of social media misinformation - Chantal Deutrom   ABSTRACT This paper identifies the anti-vaccination movement as a social media community. It analyses COVID-19 misinformation spread by the anti-vaccination movement on Facebook and Twitter and the social consequences of that misinformation. It argues that the online anti-vaccination movement may have impact on attitudes and social behaviours about the COVID-19 vaccine. Finally, it outlines what measures are in place to combat Read more [...]
Abstract: Social isolation and loneliness is associated with aging and recognised as having health impacts on the elderly. Social media can assist in reducing feelings of isolation although technologies must be accessible and usable for the elderly. This paper discusses whether the social media platform, Facebook, has a social responsibility to assist the elderly in using its platform.   You can download a pdf version of this paper here: The Role of Facebook in Addressing Loneliness Read more [...]
Abstract: This paper explores the dynamic social media tactics being used by North American politicians to infiltrate important voter bases that exist within Instagram communities. Recent studies have shown that politicians' Instagram strategies in North America play a critical role in how favourable their impressions are to a younger audience. Specifically, how young voters find politicians trustworthy when they get on board with online advocacy. When politicians follow everyday social Read more [...]
Abstract Social media groups and networks provide a third, additional, communal space for new parents to find social support, information, medical advice, and experience validation, however, they can also have a harmful effect on wellbeing. This paper argues that Facebook and social network use has a detrimental effect on the wellbeing of new mothers as it perpetuates the western Intensive mothering ideology. By examining studies which document mothers’ participation on Facebook, we can Read more [...]
All it takes is a sunrise walk along any riverside or beachfront road in Perth, Western Australia to see the sheer volume of recreational cyclists we have on our roads. Diverse in many ways - age, gender, number, speed; these cyclists are part of a community. A community diverse in the characteristics above, which is linked by the social tie that is cycling; they engage in a common activity together and share common perspectives on the world around them. These are fundamental aspects required Read more [...]
Abstract: The way in which we connect and maintain relationships has undergone major societal shifts since the introduction of technology and social media, more specifically Facebook.  The platform and its advanced features have seen the introduction of online community groups, such as Foodies, where users can share, connect and engage with others who share a similar love of food. This paper discusses the relationship between the foodie community and millennials, addressing how the online Read more [...]
Abstract   Digital technologies, in particular social media, have changed the way people communicate, and some argue that it has caused a decline in relationships. Emerging technologies have changed the way people communicate, but it has also improved on shortcomings that were previously experienced by members of a community. Social media has given individuals the opportunity to express their personal opinions and views, instead of only the views of the collective community. Community Read more [...]
Conference_paper_onlineschooling             Abstract In this paper, we will be observing the idea of social media platforms as an academic tool. This essay will englobe articles and books surrounding how social media platforms could eventually be used as tools for online schooling. Since the pandemic, such ideas became the norm. many institutions have pondered on the best platforms to use to keep a grasp on the students’ attention Read more [...]
  Final Conference Paper Abstract The research provides an analysis and overview of the efficacy of social media in resolving mental health issues. The paper also looks at some aspects of online communities in mitigating health risks and the degree to which, they address these issues with people growingly being plagued with them during the covid-19 pandemic.   Introduction   Stress, anxiety, depression and loneliness to name a few are undeniably the growing pains of Read more [...]
Empowering Communities_ConferencePaper_PDF   Abstract: Social Networking Sites like Twitter and Instagram have enabled museums to engage with community groups during periods of government mandated lockdowns. By focusing on the creation of a strong digital identity museums are able to forge a greater connection with their external stakeholders. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the ways that museums are intrinsically linked with the notion of community, and to argue that Social Read more [...]
  Stream:  Social media & Communities   Abstract In an era where everyone is connected on social media platforms, this paper investigates how social network sites influenced online users to engage in online volunteering community. Facebook and Twitter being the two widely use platforms from billions of people across the world will be used as examples to analyse the impact on online volunteering community. Through this paper, we will see how the internet may affect Read more [...]
Stream: Communities and Social Media.   Abstract: This paper explores the peer-to-peer streaming platform, Twitch. It details how the pandemic, and our subsequent isolation, occurred concurrently alongside the platforms unprecedented rise in popularity, and how digital substitutes for community began to form, aptly named ‘digital communities’, throughout the platform, with users congregating around live-streaming content creators that share their interests. This is further emphasised Read more [...]
Abstract   In the digital age, smartphones and social media have seen the rise of online communication. The purpose of this paper is to explore how communicating in the virtual form has affected community and in turn empowered women. It makes the argument that community and a sense of belonging is not determined by geographical location and physical ties alone. By focusing on small business communities formed through social media platforms such as Instagram, scholarly sources and qualitative Read more [...]
Abstract    Fandoms have existed on online spaces, such as social media, for decades, but experienced a significant growth following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. By analysing the ways in which different fandoms have been affected by the pandemic, we can assess how fan communities evolve and operate on social media platforms. Recent technologies were implemented so that fans could partake in their interests from the safety and comfort of their homes during the pandemic, Read more [...]
    Download PDF Abstract This paper discusses the impact social media has had on traditional ideas of journalism in contemporary society, focusing on the current Russian invasion of Ukraine. Journalism organisations, particularly the mainstream media, have struggled to adapt to the 21st century – declining revenue sources have been detrimental to funding the news – and the emergence of social media has introduced an identity crisis for Read more [...]
You can download a pdf version of this paper to read later here:  Moore_2022_Finding your tribe - social media as the key to community, belonging & wellbeing for the gifted     ABSTRACT Discussion amongst social theorists is rife with arguments that the proliferation of social media platforms and their negative effects on society have led to the disintegration of traditional community forms.  This paper looks at the impacts of social Read more [...]
Social media helped in creating terror and panic during the covid-19 pandemic in Mauritius:   Since its first appearance in China, the covid-19 has had a significant impact globally, affecting millions. This dark phase of humanity's history will be forever remembered as the phase that brought forward many changes in our lives, especially in social media as a means of communication and entertainment. We have witnessed how fake news can be transmitted fast and how damaging it can be, Read more [...]
Social media has transformed the way in which Jane Austen’s work is engaged with, both challenging and reinforcing traditional narratives. You may wish to download this paper as a PDF here: walker_austen_NET204 conference.pdf The 200th anniversary of Austen’s death in 2017 revealed the depth of sentiment the public holds for Austen - in an event marked by grand ceremonies, worldwide celebrations, museum exhibitions, and global headlines (Barchas & Looser, 2019). With the 250th anniversary Read more [...]
  The sphere of social media has always changed and adjusted since its emergence in various forms in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Whether it be MySpace in the early 2000’s, Facebook in the mid 2000’s, Instagram in the early 2010’s or TikTok in the 2020’s it is assured that social media networks will rise and fall. However, this is not just the social media companies, but also how social media operates and the appetite of the consumer. In recent years Read more [...]
ABSTRACT This paper examines how social media platforms are becoming increasingly used by hate groups to establish online networks and communities that support and promote racism. Communicative theories will be explored and how their effects are driving individuals on to social media platforms to promote and spread hate speech. The hate speech being distributed has found to be using a variety of social media platforms both from moderated and unmoderated platforms which together are creating Read more [...]
Abstract: This paper discusses the success and evolving nature of technology and online platforms and how they can influence and inform modern lives, particularly in relation to health information, or misinformation, and health impacting behaviours. It touches on traditional methods of health promotion practice and explores how the advancement of the internet, social media platforms and online communities provides an opportunity for health promotion programs, based on the five action areas Read more [...]
  Introduction Over the past decade, social media platforms have been consistently evolving to what is has become now. In the contemporary age, community is shifting, but it is alive and well on the internet. Social media and online media have enabled people to stay connected and support one another (Hampton and Wellman, 2018). Instagram is an example that can be examined, Instagram is an American photo and video-sharing social media platform. Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. The social Read more [...]
Indigenous Memes_Conference Paper_PDF   ABSTRACT In 2016, Indigenous activists launched a Facebook page Blackfulla Revolution (BFR) to increase awareness about the impact of colonialism in past through to the present-day Australia. BFR produced and shared a set of memes to illustrate the discriminatory events of colonialism and to invite a wider community to gather online to show solidarity for Indigenous both past and present. Meme creation is one way to produce replicable and spreadable Read more [...]
D_Baric_Conference Paper Abstract This paper argues that right-wing communities are nurtured through the affordances of the YouTube platform. The audiovisual nature of content hosted on YouTube creates strong relationships between viewers and creators, supporting an influencer culture that has been adopted by right-wing creators, or “political influencers.” The communities that exist to support political influencers are aided by YouTube’s other affordances, including a micro celebrity Read more [...]
How fandom communities on social media can create positive change.   Introduction Web 2.0 capabilities provide many ways to connect and interact with people on a global scale and allows for the creation of social media-based fandom communities on platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok (Bakardjieva & Gaden, 2012). These social media platforms encourage the use of web 2.0 functionalities which include tags with the ‘@’ symbol, hashtags with the ‘#’ symbol as well Read more [...]
  Abstract: The evolution of the web and internet has created a wide range of opportunities for social networking platforms to grow. Today, multiple different platforms have emerged allowing users to communicate and connect with each other online. The social networking platforms of Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn, in particular play a crucial role in how individuals communicate in society. With the increasing developments of these social media platforms, individuals Read more [...]
Abstract This paper will explore and analyze if whether or not the dating advice related communities, have changed accordingly to the modern style and standard of dating. The paper’s approach will be used to understand and analyze how the dating advice communities, can help people out and if these advices are actually outdated. The essay goes over three online platforms and attempt at explaining how their communities solve problems. After analyzing and reviewing how most platforms perform Read more [...]
  Abstract  The development of social media has become an important part of how LGBTQ+ youth seek information about their sexuality. It provides a space to grow, learn and explore different identities they are restricted from in their offline environments. Social media platforms like Facebook have provided most LGBTQ+ youth with a sense of belonging through the use of community groups to allow for connections and a place where information can be accessed relatively anonymously. Read more [...]
Social media platforms have rapidly altered the portability, expansiveness, and fundamental nature of digital spaces. Communities within such platforms are notably susceptible to the activities of social media influencers (SMIs). This paper explores the effects SMIs have on online communities, and how they facilitate the development of authentic relationships within such. Feelings of sincerity and authenticity are generated through practices such as vlogging, attention labour engagement, Read more [...]
  Someone's religion or political belief can be polarising to those who are not able to remove their emotion to understand someone else's point of view. Arguably both are immensely important in the creation of a person's individuality. Typically, in a Western society such as Australia, these beliefs are not so much a construct of our personal networks but rather acceptable, and often celebrated, differences of those who are part of our networks. The way we look, on the other hand, Read more [...]