Category: Online Networks and Social Change

This stream focuses more directly on online social networks. It explores both specific social networking sites and services, as well as issues that reach across and between different networks. It also explores how social media can influence and enable social change, both for good and bad.

  Abstract:   This paper aims to examine how blockchain and Social media play a part together to help influence various transaction and also comments that can impact price movements immensely of crypto currencies. In this paper, it begins by explaining the rise of blockchain and how social media started playing a role in influencing it and also how it to lead to being one of the main basic framework for web 3.0. The stream I will be discussing relates to the online networks Read more [...]
Abstract This paper's arguments aim to demonstrate social media's superior marketing effectiveness. In this ever-evolving digital era, social media is the ultimate framework for marketing. Building trust, credibility, and brand personality through social media is a powerful approach to reach out to wider customers with interesting advertising content. Introduction social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives. Social media platforms have grown in popularity Read more [...]
Abstract This paper aims to examine the different ways through which Social Media was used during the Egyptian Revolution, as well as the impact it had on facilitating social change. This paper begins by examining the use of Social Media to build and mobilize a community. It then assesses how social media was used to transform people from networked individualism to collected action, followed by investigating the influence of social media on social change. Subsequently, the paper will reattribute Read more [...]
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   Metaverse - though often considered a buzzword, is an actuality of the future.   Metaverse is a three-dimensional virtual environment based on the fundamentals of social media. It generates an immersive experience for its users by means of headsets, and gloves. This immersion to a virtual reality opens up a plethora of opportunities in social connection, health, business, and education sectors. Though, when critically examining its primary purpose, 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 [...]
The increase of social networking sites and how people interact through social media shows how communities spread awareness and information of current worldwide events. The majority of the population uses technology as a form of communication for personal or information purposes. Social media is considered to be built on the idea of how people know and interact with each other (Raut, & Patil, p.281, 2016). Social networking sites can cause significant changes within different communities Read more [...]
Abstract One of the biggest trending hashtag on social media (specifically Twitter) in the last decade was the use of #BlackLivesMatter. This was related to the unlawful killing of an African American civilian, George Floyd who was murdered by a white police officer after being placed under arrest. Soon after this tragic event, ‘George Floyd’ became a household name, recognised all around the world along with the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’. This incident and social media response Read more [...]
    Since the socialization of online culture, which came about with the creation of Web 2.0, online communities and networks have not only been developed, but have been recognized for their ability to efficiently connect users to one another as well as for their significant value in regard to their influence and population. As activism and social change movements have begun to find their place in online environments, it is met with varying responses which encourages users to Read more [...]
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the social change that has occurred and is continuing to occur as a result of online social media platforms such as TikTok. Offline activism is being fuelled by TikTok as millennials use the application to share unfiltered experiences from all over the world, creating a community of individuals who follow content based on their interests, resulting in social change.  Traditionally, governments have held a strong hold on media distribution to the Read more [...]
  This paper argues that online networks Tinder and Instagram have caused social change through their influence on millennials and Generation Z. This has ultimately resulted in a negative shift in the views on love, commitment and the formation of deep connections held by these generations. Instagram's highlight reel has become responsible for relationship dissatisfaction amongst younger generations, influencing how they feel they should be behaving both in relationships and sexually. Read more [...]
  Social media as a effective tool in raising awareness in society   Social media is defined as "a collection of Internet-based apps that build on the conceptual and technological roots of Web 2.0 and enable the production and interchange of User Generated Content." Any online platform that enables users and audiences to generate content and interact with one another is considered social media (Walsh et al., 2021). Online technologies have the ability to reach vast areas Read more [...]
  Social Media Influencers - Building Their Online Communities and Networks     Instagram influencers have far too much impact on our time online and our real life. Influencers know too much about our personal information through online algorithms and persuasion targeting. Focusing primarily on lifestyle influencers (Influencers who find fame through oversharing about their life with no real product/service or talent) and how they acquire celebrity Read more [...]
Introduction In 2020 the #BlackLivesMatter campaign became the epitome example for use of social media platforms to encourage users to participate in social change. The Instagram platform was specifically used for this event. The BLM campaign presented how social media is a powerful tool for spreading awareness about a problem in society, and sharing opinions with other media users to develop a broader understanding of the issue. Social change is brought about by making an impression on Read more [...]
  Abstract: This paper aims to demonstrate how young people are negating the heteronormative social pressures of the dominate public through the creation of online counter-publics that allow them to form, express, and legitimize their LGBTQ identities within a supportive online community. Utilizing social media these counter-publics, which reach beyond physical and social confines, allow individuals to center their personal experiences amongst broader communities, strengthening Read more [...]
Online networks can be utilised to help promote social change. The popularity of social media has grown exponentially throughout the 21st century, with it developing beyond just a way of communication amongst friends. The creation of online networks amongst multiple sites has allowed brands and people grow themselves from the ground up, with some using said social networks to promote social change. #MeToo gripped the world when it started going viral in 2017, calling for those who have experienced Read more [...]
Conference Paper HANSON PDF   Abstract:  The widespread use of dating apps today has undoubtedly led to a redefined view on relationships and intimacy within modern society. These changes have been highlighted by academic scholars who argue that the likelihood of ‘liquid love’ has increased. This has emerged as a result of rapid technological advancements, particularly within mobile applications. Dating apps, such as Tinder, have utilised these advancements to create Read more [...]
Download PDF Abstract Social media apps such as Twitter are effective media through which to raise awareness of social justice issues, the environmental crisis and the Black Lives Matter movement providing two contemporary examples of online activism. This research paper argues that this raised awareness does not translates into real political change as Twitter et al foster ‘thin communities’ that are as easily dispersed as they are formed, and create the illusion that awareness equates Read more [...]
Offline version: SV Conference Draft Abstract The introduction of online networks has significantly impacted commercially and politically to the point that some behaviours have barely change, but also existing behaviours have essentially been upgraded. The primary focus is on these departments and how their presents, or their ability to adapt and/or exist, on the platform effects users. This paper will investigate various examples of media usage, with Twitter and TikTok as the primary Read more [...]
ABSTRACT: This piece focuses on the Wellness and Health community online and the lack of regulations put in place to identify credible sources of nutrition and professional advice. It follows the fundamental role Influencers play in Social Networks with main focus on the Instagram platform, as they build trusting relationships with followers who are attracted to a perceived perfect lifestyle online. This strength of trust and loyalty they have generated raises issue as it can lead to endangerment Read more [...]
Introduction Social network sites (SNSs) such Facebook and Twitter have been deeply integrated with our daily practices and people rely on them in every aspect of our lives (Kapoor et al., 2018). While the fundamental technologies of these sites are similar, the primary purpose and function of each site are different. Some sites help you maintain existing offline social networks, share your interests and hobbies, but others assist you in finding new friends bases on common language or political Read more [...]
  PDF Download   Abstract: Online networks are some of the most used forms of communication within contemporary society. In regards to social change movements and politics however, they are also used as a tool to spread messaging, create awareness and overall educate people who otherwise wouldn't have access to this specific kind of information about differing social causes. However, while the prevailing thought that online social networks can and are being used effectively Read more [...]
PDF Download   Abstract Social media platforms are a powerful tool for gathering and mobilising activist communities. Reddit in particular, has hosted a number of these social movements. This paper investigates the unique characteristics of Reddit and how they have stagnated or hampered a movements progress. The voting and Karma systems provides incentives that act contradictory to the types of content movements need to survive. The subreddit architecture leaves movements with few Read more [...]
  PDF: ConferencePaperPDF  Abstract: Social media platforms are valuable tools in activism today, as they allow activists and ordinary users to advocate for social change in a public forum, which I build from using Freelon et al. (2020)’s article “False Equivalencies” in the American Association for the Advancement of Science Journal. I argue that the benefit of these public forums is that they allow information to be spread easily through ‘hashtag activism.’ When Read more [...]