Youth Identity and Community Formation Through Déja Clark’s Audience — Chelsea Leenaars


This paper argues that young people form communities on TikTok through shared identity performance, using Deja Clark as a case study. Her content demonstrates how platform affordances and imitation practices enable a sense of belonging within networked publics, while reinforcing social norms and pressures among youth.

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One response to “Youth Identity and Community Formation Through Déja Clark’s Audience — Chelsea Leenaars”

  1. JackFenton Avatar

    Hi Chelsea, thanks for your presentation, I really enjoyed watching it.

    Here are my 3 questions for you.

    I enjoyed your post about TikTok’s algorithm connecting creators to audiences with similar interests through Deja Clark. However, do you think TikTok’s algorithm also promotes hatefulness/judgments towards others in comment sections and allows for a toxic environment for younger viewers?.

    I enjoyed your point about imitation publics allowing people to feel connected through doing the same things as others. However, do you think imitation publics can force young people to imitate certain characters to fit in as opposed to being unique?

    I liked your point about Deja Clark influencing her audience. Do you think Deja Clark’s popularity can cause audiences to normalise things they see, such as makeup and excessive shopping?

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