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 issues contributing to social activism. However, twitter functions have also been used to criticise, offend, and harm celebrities as well as fans within the community. This paper acknowledges and demonstrates the negative impact of overwhelming toxicity that manifests in the community.
Social media platforms allow individuals the opportunity to create content, interact, communicate, build connections and relationships with people as well as join online communities. Being part of a community enables sharing of thoughts, and opinions, and bring a sense of belonging to those who share the same interests. Twitter is a massive platform that has developed communities through interaction on the twitter fandom community, commonly referred to as “stan twitter” (Malik & Haidar, 2020). As stated by Kehrberg (2014), Twitter has also become the main source of communication for fan-fan and fan-celebrity interactions, thus creating a community. Stan twitter community, relish on positive interactions, building connections, voicing out opinions and sharing interests but deliberately neglect the negative aspects. The overwhelming negativity formed on stan twitter can manifest into toxicity which, therefore, breaks social ties formed within the community. It can encourage cyberbullying through endless harmful words, negatively impacting the mental well-being of celebrities and fans. As Hampton and Wellman (2018) states, “There is failure and strength in all types of community” (para 5).
Due to the extensive use of social media, younger generations are more likely to participate in fandom activities on Twitter (Smutrafrontri &Gadavanji, 2020). and as stated by Laurent, Glaveanu & Chaudet (2020), Twitter has become one of the most influential social media platforms with the functions to tweet, retweet, hashtag, reply and send direct messages. Many fandoms on Stan Twitter, start trends using hashtags to support their favourite artists and celebrities such as receiving an award or simply releasing new music. This response is a method for Stan Twitter to express their appreciation and support. Hashtags are largely used for social change, to spread and support issues that are currently trending around the world. As stated by Kim & Hut (2021), “The hashtag can be a powerful asset”. Many celebrities and music artists as well as fandoms on stan twitter are dedicated in helping these issues.
In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, the well-known K-POP Boy Band BTS donated over one million USD towards the campaign. The dedicated and hard-working fans of BTS, also known as ARMY, started a campaign with the hashtag #MatchAMillion, raising over one million USD to support BLM movement (Park et al., 2021). BTS fans gathered and collaborated with other fans within Stan Twitter to spread the campaign through interaction with one another. They tweeted, retweeted, reposted on different social media platforms and sent links with various donations people could donate to (Park et al., 2021). The #MakeAMillion campaign was a massive success due to fans who were able to utilize functions of Twitter to further spread the campaign onto different social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. This demonstrates the positive attributes of being part of the Stan Twitter community and how a small contribution can have a massive impact, specifically the #MakeAMillion campaign. A survey was also conducted by Park et al. (2021), on how the BTS fandom view themselves and stated that they are “a community, loosely structured with pillar accounts”. Although Stan Twitter community, specifically K-POP fandom has had a huge contribution towards social activism, there is no doubt that the power of twitter hashtags also reinforced and encouraged cyberbullying.
Social media platforms enable access to individual’s personal information, and it allows them to voice out and share their own opinions on any matter. As studies have found, the heavy consumption of social media is associated with cyberbullying, negatively impacting the “mental and behavioural health issues”, specifically, the younger generations (Garett et al., 2016). This weakens and causes damage on the interpersonal relationships built within the community. As defined by Smith (Slonje), Cyberbullying is the intention of acting hostile towards a group or an individual using technology. The impact of cyberbullying can vary it can include depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts (Gualdo et al., 2015). Hence, it is important to know that the consequences of joining an online community.
Within the stan twitter community, fandom fights occur frequently due to several reasons. It can range from unnecessary comments of individuals on physical traits of an artist they don’t support, to trending negative hashtags and topics to sabotage image of these artists’ and celebrities. It is harsh words thrown out to ridicule, embarrass and insult fans and celebrities. The competitive nature of the music industry and fans that may also contribute to cyberbullying. As founded by Slonje (2013), the reasons for these can be internal and external such as jealousy, revenge, boredom, to have ‘power’ over others, and knowing there are no physical consequences, as it is through online. Regardless, all forms of cyberbullying have a negative physical and psychological effect on the victims. As an example, BLINKS, the fandom of a well-known K-POP group BLACKPINK trended back in June 2021 due to its malicious, offensive terms and harassment towards the group BTS. According to Kachroo (2021), a leaked audio surfaced on the internet, in which a BLINK described BTS using “racist, sexist and sexual terms”. Several tweets of BLINKS involved demeaning their physical traits. talent and as individuals. As a result of this, ARMY trended the hashtag #blackpinkdisband, which drew attention to the issue and showcase the toxic nature of several toxic fans (Kachroo, 2021). As the topic went trending on Twitter, there is no doubt that both groups had seen the hashtags although they did not respond to the controversy. Such issues are constant and never ending, no matter how small or big, as the Stan Twitter community consists of many fandoms that all have own opinions and are unafraid of the consequences of their words. It is also suggested by Slonje et al., (2013), that being anonymous on the internet contribute towards cyberbullying.
Stan twitter is comprised of people who use personal accounts, and those with fan accounts in which the username, display name and profile accounts are all related to the artist they support. Therefore, the anonymity of several individuals allows for anonymous communication that are “more likely to facilitate cyberbullying perpetration” (Barlett et al., 2018). As stated by Jawson (2018), “anonymity can revel personality traits that face-to-face interactions may hide”. This enables people to express themselves without fear of getting harmed physically or insulted as twitter’s tools allow for blocking, restricting, and reporting. Toxic fans abuse their power by sending hateful comments and criticizing celebrities they do not know personally. Additionally, there is also an evident hierarchy that exists within Twitter which may affect how accounts act behave and treat other individuals and groups on Stan Twitter.
According to Malik & Haidar (2020, as cited in Magee & Galinksy, 2008), hierarchies can be defined as “an implicit or explicit difference in ranks of individuals based on some collectively decided social dimension”. Hierarchies exist within social media platforms, particularly stan twitter, in which accounts that have a larger following and audience are considered ‘leaders’ and have a massive influence on newer accounts. It gives ‘big accounts’ responsibility to behave in a non-toxic way and ensure healthy interaction and trends are maintained (Malik & Haidar, 2020). However, individuals behind large accounts may not always have the same perspective on an issue or situation. This can contribute towards individuals misusing and taking advantage of their power. Tweeting offensive and hateful comments thinking it’s “funny” or “a joke” and knowing their followers and online friends would agree. As argued by Elder (2014), online friendships through social media platforms can be fulfilling as it enables “friends to share distinctively human activities such as conversation and exchange of thoughts”. It is, however, not always the case on the twitter fandom community. As friendships are based on similarities, negative opinions and thoughts exhibited on twitter by a large account will be supported by followers or friends. As these friendships develop, interaction with one another result into attitudes and beliefs becoming influenced (Kaiser et al., 2010). There is also the ‘urge’ to agree on one’s point of view simply due to the loyalty and development of friendships. People who exhibit negative and toxic behaviours on stan twitter will undoubtedly influence and encourage others to do so.
With the rapid expansion of social media usage, there has also been a quick rise in the desire for younger generations to follow current trends, meet people online and share interests. The twitter fandom community is already popularised in the western culture with well-known celebrities and singers. K-Pop is constantly growing, as Kim (2020) stated, “the genre has now beome a global phenomenon and is going mainstream” and an increasing number of people are joining Stan Twitter. Online communities are advantageous in terms of meeting and connecting with people, however, people have different characteristics and many people gathered onto one platform can be complex when there are no limitations to self-expression, specifically the K-Pop community. The community can be exciting and fun in the beginning however, the longer and more exposure will equate to more hate and negativity, impacting the mental health of users. K-Pop fans are also heavily invested and actively contribute towards the success of artists’ they support, therefore, there are expectations to be met and when they’re not, the consequences can be brutal. People are aware of the negative aspects and impact of the Stan Twitter yet refuse to leave as this community enables interaction with people across the world and give a strong sense of belonging that may be difficult to obtain outside the platform.
Conclusion
Social Media platforms has undoubtedly enabled for easier communication, sharing content, meeting new people, and joining of online communities such as the twitter fandom community, referred to as ‘Stan Twitter’. The community has contributed towards successful campaigns through spreading awareness by utilising Twitter’s functions. It has also enabled for friendships to develop. However, it’s negative, toxic, and harmful facet must be acknowledged. Use of Twitter functions has allowed for individuals and groups of people within the community to dismiss their compassion for others. It’s given people the power to send hate, state opinions and words regardless of its impact. Encouragement of cyberbullying negatively impacts the victim as it can lead to deterioration of mental health and development of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and low self-esteem. The anonymity of users, evident hierarchies, and the ability to express themselves without limitations and fear of live interaction contribute towards cyberbullying. In addition to this, the negative and toxic behaviour of users may influence people they have developed friendships with and encourage engaging in harmful activities. Therefore, the negativity and toxicity that manifests through cyberbullying and anonymity within the Stan Twitter ruptures the social ties formed within the community.
References
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Hi Gwenyth, it is fascinating to learn about Stan Twitter’s hierarchies on social media platforms, especially Twitter. I knew about this phenomena but did not know the explicit details your paper outlined about these types of digital communities. Touching on the younger generation, that is particularly concerning as it will affect them uniquely as previous generations never had such access to contentious discourse. hopefully the effects are considerably positive. The quick ability to share information means that campaigns against individuals and or groups can become toxic because it can turn into hundreds or thousands of people tweeting abuse, I have seen this on Twitter before.
Your look at Fandom toxicity was very informative. I was also going to write about it with my piece, but instead of focusing on the stan side attacking those that in rival fandoms, I was initially looking at the internal wars that can be created within a fandom particulary the ship wars and the gatekeeping that can occur within a fandom. A lot of stan culture in fandom can come down to parasocial relationships, where a fan believes that they are friends with the subject of their fandom. In your instances about the hierarchy has made me ponder the idea about the levels of parasocial behaviour, especially if those pilliars of the fandom do actually have some sort of relationship with the subject of the fandom, or they themselves use their influence to imply that they are more important than they are if it means getting more attention. Having been apart of a big fandom with some very toxic and petty fans on twitter, i have seen first hand what damage it can cause within a fandom against the people involved in making the content online.
Hi Rebekah,
Thank you for reading my paper. I too was initially going to write about wars within fandom as it definitely exists and is toxic along with fans believing they are friend with celebrities.
Great to see your paper in the conference Gwyneth. Do you think digital platforms’ administrators should take more responsibility in preventing toxicity within their sites, or should it be up to individuals to behave?
Andrea
To an extent yes, such as noticing how some posts may be considered as “hate speech”, “inappropriate”,etc. and immediately deleting them. This content moderation can either be done manually or automatic and it is part of their responsibility in identifying and removing toxic content. However, it is mainly up to individuals as to how they behave as automatic content moderation does not successfully work all the time and there are various digital platforms with a huge number of people active which may be hard to keep track of. It is also a place in which individuals can express themselves honestly. Social media platforms also give people the option to prevent toxicity such as reporting, blocking etc. hence it is mainly up to individuals to behave.
Great reply Gwyneth!
Hey Gwyn, an interesting analysis of Stan Twitter. From personal observations, stan culture and the polarisation of discourse online have resulted in a hivemind behaviour exhibited by members of different fandoms. I also think a lot of the behaviour is rooted in the proliferation of cancel culture and how it is rewarded through Twitter’s design. As a consequence, do you think that being actively involved in the hivemind warps the perception of social issues and social participation of the stans?
Hey Jack, I completely with your statement that “a lot of the behaviour is rooted in the proliferation of cancel culture”. And to answer your question, i agree but not 100%. When social issues arise, stans have initial thoughts and opinions and freely share those on the platform. So, those without opinions on the issue either just follow or agree on what the majority of people say. Hence, It can be difficult for individuals to make decisions on their own and their perception can be easily influenced by others. Although, being involved in the hivemind does not necessarily mean that the perception of individuals towards social issues will completely twist, but i guess what i’m saying is it really depends on the individual. How strong their mentality is, the ability to perceive certain subjects as an individual and how much they value their individualism.
Also, thank you for reading and commenting on my paper!
Hi Gwyneth,
I could not agree more with the negative aspects of Twitter. Platforms such as Twitter, sometimes gives users a fake impression that they are part of a supportive community. As you mentioned: heavy consumption of social media leads to mental and behavioural issues. Indeed, people can be the targets of harassment, bullying or racism. However, I believe the overriding concern with Twitter is the impression it gives to online viewers. Most people join a community or fandom to be accepted or connected with trends in pop culture. As a Twitter user myself, I can relate to the trend that the younger generations, Gen Z particularly, follow nowadays. Nonetheless, I feel this trend is sometimes a vicious circle, because the more you post, the more you expect other people to engage with the content.
Thanks,
Wilmer
Hi Wilmer,
Thank you for your response, definitely interesting and beneficial to hear your opinion. As you’ve stated “overriding concern with Twitter is the impression it gives to online users”. I would say that the impressions of Twitter does matter and influence users. However, isn’t it ore concerning what is happening on the platform that online users are getting those impressions? Would love to hear your thoughts as to what kind of “impressions” Twitter give to online users and how it has impacted them and whether it has prevented people from using Twitter or join Twitter.
Gwyn
Hi Gwyneth,
Great paper and as a person who has stopped using Twitter now due to the toxicity on the platform, it was a great read. I agree that the sense of belonging online to these communities creates an environment where to stay in this group, you also have to do what others do in said group. While K-POP is the big group of Stan Twitter, the politics Stan twitter around certain representatives in parliament and political figures online can be just as awful. Taking away from the actual cause and instead focusing on a personality. Like every community online, there is potential for good in everything, but the actions are what counts at the end of the day and despite the raising of fund for BLM in 2020, the toxicity is still completely unacceptable. Reading through this paper helped remind me why I quit using Twitter ahaha, but I enjoyed it nevertheless and as it went deeper into the surrounding topic of Stans and online communities on Twitter. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts around how toxic communities can effect the image of the brand or influencer they represent further? Again, was a great read.
Best Regards
Jack
Hi Jack,
Thanks for reading my paper! It was interesting to hear that politics Stan twitter is just as awful but i’m also not surprised hahaha. To answer your question, it’s evident that if toxic communities represent a brand or influencer it will have negative impact on the image and can result into lower brand/influencer engagement, participation and such. It can completely ruin their image as toxicity and negativity can be easily spread especially if these brands/influencer are well-known and cancel culture has become a massive thing on social media.
Gwyn
Hi Gwyneth,
I agree with your opinion, that stated: “Social Media platforms have undoubtedly enabled for easier communication, sharing content, meeting new people, and joining of online communities such as the Twitter fandom community, referred to as ‘Stan Twitter’”, as a few of my friends joined them as well. It is also a popular and important topic that I think people should discuss more often for us to be aware, the advantages and disadvantages before joining one community.
Although, based on what I see in my friend’s experience from joining the BTS Army club, I see that she has been hanging out with a couple of members from that group and they were so excited to meet one another. It’s been a couple of months now and they are still hanging out passionately with each other because they knew that they share the same interest and conversation topic that keeps flowing. It also helps my friend to be more confident, she’s not afraid to speak for herself, more engaged and socialized, more aware of the danger that happens in the group, and simply makes her more happy because she know that she belong in that community.
I would like to know about your opinion on this one. Will the toxicity of Twitter fandom community outweigh the positivity that I mentioned! Thanks Gwyneth
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for reading my paper and providing your own insight on it! Glad to hear about your friend becoming more confident after joining the ARMY fan club and meeting people, that’s the good thing about being part of a community and that’s how it should always be!
To answer your question, i would say the positivity you have mentioned slightly outweighs the toxicity of Twitter the twitter fandom because although twitter is toxic there has been massive positive impact towards individuals and social issues. Very much like your friend, i myself have also developed relationships and connection with other people i share the same interests with which is always great and has definitely contributed towards how i am as a person now. As long as people are aware that communities can be positive and negative and not let themselves get into the toxicity online and offline, everything should be all good, your friend for example. Hoped this answered your question. Again thank you for reading my paper Brenda!
Gywn
Hi Gwyneth,
Great paper, really enjoyed the discussion of Twitter and the mob mentality often attributed to the stan culture. I feel as if the need to conform to trends by joining the bandwagon, or face discourse through opposing ideals is one the greatest hinderances to identity development within the youth of our day and age. I briefly discussed something similar within my article if your interested. I was curious as to your thoughts about whether the verbal discourse of stan community within Twitter is a necessary side effect of freedom of speech online, or should aggressive discourse in the form of harassment against those of differing views be more heavily restricted/hidden by the feed to procure a more free and open community for youth and adult users?
thanks for the read,
Stephen
Hello Gwyneth,
I couldn’t agree more with your paper. Twitter has become a platform known for how toxic users can be. Stan Twitter is where most of the toxicity comes from. And as you said, the negativity tends to spread a lot easier because users follow accounts that have something in common with themselves. So, if accounts with a large following happens to post something controversial, it is only a matter of time until it starts spreading like wild fire. I’m glad you brought attention to a topic that tends to be blatantly ignored by the vast majority, even in the face of toxicity.
Hi Senera,
Thank you for reading my paper, and you’re absolutely right, most toxicity comes from Stan Twitter.
Gwyn
Hi Gwyneth,
I have just read this lovely piece of writing of yours. I agree with all of the points you’ve stated. I really enjoyed reading your paper. It also comprises of a deep analysis of Stan Twitter. I have even seen on Twitter where people have been victims of tweeting abuse and bullying.Several measures must be enacted in order to prevent this from happening,the individual have the possibility to either block or report the account which are disturbing them.
Thank you so much for this beautiful piece of writing. Keep it up!
Hello Gwyneth,
I found your paper very insightful and informative. I am not very acquainted to Twitter and the number of people in my circle using this platform is rather limited, so thank you for this well informed discussion. Your paper was very enriching and easy to read due to the small paragraphs.
As you highlight the negative side of Twitter, which is rather the same for every platforms out there, do you think that it lies in the responsibility of the user not to ‘indirectly’ engage in activities that could lead to toxic behaviors ? Or there should be an ‘Internet police’ kind of thing to restrict and pay attention to content posted?
Also Im sharing with you my paper, it’s about transgender representation about Mauritius on TikTok. If you want to learn more about this community in Mauritius, may be you can give it a readn and leave a comment : https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2022/ioa/53/online-advocacy-and-tiktok-the-representation-of-transgender-people-in-mauritius/
Thank you.
Best,
Julie
Hi Gwyneth，
Great article and very interesting topic. I can understand your point of view very well, as I am also a big fan of kpop culture.I’ve also noticed a lot of fighting between fans.
Do you think idols need to stop fans from behaving inappropriately? Do social media platforms need to be held accountable for fighting between fans?thank you.
Hi Gwyneth,
This was a very informative and great read. I appreciated the amount of examples and the depth of which you explored the effects of “Stan Twitter”. I too wrote about the effects of fandoms and social media and used BTS as an example so it was nice to see you use them as well and outline how some fans can be toxic.
Paige