Social Media, Communities, & Networks Conference 2026: Semester 1 & SP1

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One response to “How Young Aboriginal Influencers use TikTok to create Networked Publics : Montana Knight”

1. 

   Maya Pizzirani

   01/05/2026

   Hey there Montana!
   Question 1: Your analysis of how Nyima Tuckerr uses TikTok’s commenting affordance to build networked publics is really interesting and was an excellent example of how young Aboriginal creators form connections and foster Indigenous identity. — In my case study on rural youths, I also found that audience interaction through likes, comments, and shares plays a huge role in shaping how identity is co-created within the community. In your study, did you find that Nyima’s comment section attracted mostly Aboriginal viewers connecting over shared identity, or did it also draw in broader non-Indigenous audiences — and if so, how did that shape the kind of networked public that formed around her content?

   Question 2: I loved how compelling your point about hashtags like #IndigenousTikTok and #AboriginalTikTok function as key affordances for visibility and participation in Indigenous networked publics. TikTok’s hashtag feature really enhances its communicative affordance by allowing content to be grouped and discovered beyond existing follower networks. Was this kind of hashtag-driven visibility something you observed directly in Nyima’s content — for example, did her videos using these hashtags consistently reach audiences beyond her existing followers? Could you elaborate more on how the hashtag affordance specifically contributed to forming her networked public?

   Question 3:Your argument that TikTok’s short-form storytelling supports cultural continuity by keeping Indigenous identity visible for younger generations is fascinating; when Nyima shares everyday content about her Ngarluma, Banjima, and Yamatji identity, it invites broader audiences into Aboriginal cultural spaces in a modern and relatable way. But I reckon it can also spark networked toxicity — for example, content countering stereotypes could attract racist commentary, and TikTok’s algorithm may then amplify those harmful responses by recommending them widely. Did you encounter any evidence of this tension in your study, and what do you think that means for Aboriginal creators trying to maintain cultural safety within these networked publics?

   Thanks!!

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