Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are well-known over the world; they have brought the world and the community closer by allowing people to communicate and connect in real-time. Every day, these social media platforms strive to enhance their systems to make life simpler for their users. It increased work prospects, brought loved ones closer together, and enhanced human contact to new heights (Vanderkaay, 2010). However, most users are unaware of the drawbacks Read more [...]
ABTRACT. This paper aims to explore the adoption of social network sites by the politically marginalised in Zimbabwe to protest against the existing government through online advocacy. The data collected from online content reveals the benefits that these network sites have brought to the politically relegated in Zimbabwe. The study mainly focuses on how these platforms have provided alternative spaces for the politically marginalised. It seeks to exhibit how the oppressed have used these Read more [...]
Nowadays, social media has not only taken an important use in our daily life but also taken a greater responsibility in giving voice to the public. Social media is constantly changing and transforming, and instead of informing, it is now leading people to participate. But more importantly, social media is starting to give communities a voice in questioning social issues and asking people to rethink and challenge them. More particularly, social media contains a huge amount of content, it maintains Read more [...]
  Abstract September 2021, as the world battles against the coronavirus pandemic, the video-based social media platform TikTok reaches 1 million users worldwide, which represents a colossal growth for the Chinese company ByteDance Ltd (Ceci, 2022). TikTok has throughout the years evolved from a video sharing platform such as Vines and Musical.ly into a platform reflecting creativity, networked communities and advocacy. One community whose presence is often highlighted on TikTok is Read more [...]
  Social media as a useful tool for young adults to express and shaping their identities online.   Stream: Identity and Online Advocacy   Abstract The purpose of this paper is to show the essential use of social media tools for the young adults to express and shape their identity. It shows how much the social media tools have been a great help for the young adults to express themselves freely as per their own self identity. And also by putting emphasize Read more [...]
Indigenous Australians and Community: Diasporic networks resisting colonialism online. PDF Download   Abstract  Indigenous people around the world and in particular, in Australia, boast ancient and deep connections to culture, community and country. The rise of social media has played a distinct role in changing the ways Indigenous Australians interact with community and country. These changes have generated vast diasporic networks and communities which have seen an abundance 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 [...]
  Abstract This paper explores the effect Instagram has had on the modern-day teenager, and how their identities are being influenced by its features. Whilst Instagram’s original purpose was always to share and promote people, teenagers have used the apps interactive features to compare their own sense of self with that of their peers. Features such as photo sharing, filter options and the like button have each created their own means for influence on the teenage population. Photo Read more [...]
Abstract: The LGBTQIA+ community is often marginalised, both online and offline, but Social Network Sites (SNSs) can provide vital spaces for these users to find community, support, advocacy and practice identity, in a way the physical world cannot. However, notions of privacy and identity online are complex practices and SNSs have varying degrees of identity requirements while providing valuable connectivity. Platforms like Facebook have strict requirements that can impact the ability of Read more [...]