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(Beijing Cream, 2012)

China has no social media right? They’re government is a dictatorship who controls baby making and real-estate, oh and have I told you about the media? Yep, totally corrupt.

I admit it, prior to this week the above statement is basically what I thought about China, even if just a little embellished. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding China, particularly their social media usage. Yes they may have strict policies but that doesn't mean social media doesn't exist, infact there is currently a social media revolution taking place.

China may not have access to social media platforms that we are familiar with such as Facebook and Twitter or even the Global Google.com. Instead they host their own sites such as Qzone (625million users), WeChat (355million users) and Sina Weibo (129million users) which due to their huge population, have a massive user base (Social Media Today, 2014). 

Ok so now we know China does infact use Social Media, how does this relate to Censorship of these platforms? What is censorship,'If an Internet user in China searches for the word "persecution," he or she is likely to come up with a link to a blank screen that says "page cannot be displayed"' (Wiseman, 2015). This is just one example of word censorship but it goes well beyond this. China is currently run by a communist government, communism is defined as 'a system of social organisation in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party' (Dictionary.com, 2015). What does this mean for censorship? The Beijing Government controls what is being viewed by citizens in regards to politics and global affairs, this was evident in the lead up to the Olympic Games where the communist government intensified its efforts to take full control over its citizens as major political tensions were taking place. (Wiseman, 2015)

Social Media is exploding worldwide, this is a known fact, don't believe me? Just watch this video by Buzzz Social Media. What you may not know is some people believe China is leading the way, a new McKinsey Survey of 5,700 internet users in China has revealed that 95% of them are registered on a social media site, the study also shows that they have the most active social media users in the world with 91% of users saying they have user a social media site in the past 6 months, compared to 67% in the US. (McKinsey & Company, 2012). As to whether this means they are leading the way? I'm not convinced but they sure are enjoying the feeling of freedom even if it may be censored.

Interested on the topic? This article by TheWire.com discusses how memes are currently the best weapon against censorship in China.

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References

Beijing Cream, (2012). Great Firewall of China. [image] Available at: http://beijingcream.com/2012/11/chinese-netizens-have-found-another-way-around-the-great-firewall/ [Accessed 7 Feb. 2015].

Buzzz Social Media, (2014). Social Media Revolution 2014. [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eUeL3n7fDs [Accessed 7 Feb. 2015].

Dictionary.com, (2015). The definition of Communism. [online] Available at: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/communism [Accessed 7 Feb. 2015].

Mckinsey & Company, (2012). China’s social-media boom. [online] Available at: http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/marketing_sales/chinas_social-media_boom [Accessed 7 Feb. 2015].

Social Media Today, (2014). Understanding Social Media in China in 2014. [online] Available at: http://www.socialmediatoday.com/content/understanding-social-media-china-2014 [Accessed 7 Feb. 2015].

The Wire, (2013). How Memes Became the Best Weapon Against Chinese Internet Censorship. [online] Available at: http://www.thewire.com/global/2013/06/how-memes-became-best-weapon-against-chinese-internet-censorship/65877/ [Accessed 7 Feb. 2015].

(GamesRadar, 2013)

You know the stereotypes, 'tomboy', 'gamer girl - who doesn't actually play' or geek with no social life. While yes, there may be girls out there like this, not every female fits this image. Women who participate in the gaming industry are often harassed or threatened over online gaming platforms. However whenever the industry comes under fire by the public around rape threats or similar threats, they condemn any of these threats from their code of conduct. But the issue is, even though everyone disagrees with misogyny in gaming, and thinks we are breaking gender stereotypes these issues keep happening. Maybe its time to look at ourselves as part of the problem (Thier, 2014).

While males can receive harassment too, the main difference is the sexual insidious tone of harassment. These remarks all originate from somewhere, 'If the “gamer” community is defined by playing certain games, then it will inevitably be coloured by the content of those games.' (Thier, 2014) This means that a game with misogyny occurring in its community is infact breed from the content of the game.

(GamesRadar, 2013)

One idea behind this misogyny in gaming can be attributed to the 'sexed up' female characters used. Yes, they may still kick ass during the game, but really do they need to be nearly naked to do it? I don't think so. We can all agree that at some level, games often have an unrealistic depiction of females. (Thier, 2014). GamesRader.com describes this difference as 'Male characters in games get tricked-out armour suits, iconic headgear (Master Chief comes to mind) and outfits that fit their surroundings. Meanwhile, female characters are left with only sashes and a smile' (GamesRadar, 2013).

So how can we fix it? Well already a large number of developers have signed an open letter condemning harassment in the industry, this may be a good start but it only works if they follow through on their word and use their power in the gaming industry to make a change. This includes employing a higher number of female staff in a variety of roles would also assist breaking down these stereotypes. The best way to change the tone in which users communicate is too take a long hard look at the games we play and change the actual tone of the game. (Thier, 2014)

Q | What suggestions do you have to help break down gender stereotypes?

--------------- References

GamesRadar, (2013). Boy vs. Girl. [image] Available at: http://www.gamesradar.com/9-things-real-female-gamers-hate-about-gaming/ [Accessed 1 Feb. 2015].

(A Bikini A Day, 2014)

They are unavoidable, quickly checking instagram, stalking someone on facebook - selfies, they are everywhere. However, incase you are unaware of what a selfie is, it is 'an image of oneself taken by oneself using a digital camera especially for posting on social networks' (Merriam Webster, 2015). It's all you, theres no external photographers, editors or choreographer. 'At the core, we take pictures of ourselves and post them online for other people to see, like and comment on.' (Maher, n.d.).

In the modern era, many people are meeting and communicating online so this is where we brand ourselves to other. (Stylist Magazine, n.d.) Humans have always done this so despite the popularity of the #selfie, they aren't actually a new idea. Self-portraits have been around for hundreds of years, many painted pictures still exist today. 

(Sanzio da Urbino, 1508)

So why do we post Selfies? Is it out of narcism or does it go beyond this. Many selfies showcase the motives, look where I am, look what I have, look who i'm with. (TEDxTalks, 2013). Psychologist Diana Parkinson states “If we’re constantly displaying what we ‘have’, it tends to be born from insecurity and a need for external validation”. This validation is evident in everyday life, Patricia Vo describes a situation where her sister takes numerous selfies in the passenger seat until she is satisfied with her looks to upload to social media

. However Vo also states that it is dependant on the person as she posts photos when she is genuinely have a good time, which means her instagram will only showcase her good memories. This idea of taking selfies of events is proof it happened, as without visual documentation, it is no more than a fading memory. (Stylist Magazine, n.d.)

Ultimately, we crave recognition, to be remembered, to validated, selfies are an attempt to achieve these things. Whether you think selfies a narcissistic or not, they are here to stay and theres more to them than assuming the people posting a simply narcissistic. Next time you take a selfie, pause and think before posting, what am I saying to the world through posting this image.

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References

A Bikini A Day, (2014). How to take the perfect selfie. [image] Available at: http://abikiniaday.com/how-to-take-the-perfect-selfie/ [Accessed 24 Jan. 2015].

Maher, R. (n.d.). Why do people take Selfies?. [online] Ryanmaher.net. Available at: http://ryanmaher.net/4-reasons-why-we-post-selfies [Accessed 24 Jan. 2015].

Merriam Webster, (2015). Selfie - Definition. [online] Available at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfie [Accessed 24 Jan. 2015].

Sanzio da Urbino, R. (1508). Self-portrait of Raphael, aged approximately 23. [Tempera on Panel] Florence: Uffizi Gallery.

Stylist Magazine, (n.d.). The Psychology Of Selfies. [online] Available at: http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/the-psychology-of-selfies [Accessed 24 Jan. 2015].

TEDxTalks, (2013). Selfies - a visual analysis: Elizabeth Urbanski at TEDxNavesink. [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v= 2Kk9R2rhwlQ [Accessed 24 Jan. 2015].

Rutledge, 2011)

Crowdsourcing is "the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people and especially from the online community rather than from traditional employees or suppliers" (Merriam Webster, 2015). This outsourcing is not a new concept however due to technological advances, it is becoming a very common tool in everyday life. You would be familiar with 'Wikipedia', this site fits into the category of 'crowdsourced' as there a multiple contributors to produce a final product. 

The use for crowdsourcing also extends to crisis communication. During a crisis, information travels through a vast range of channels, and often through public platforms such as social media and social network sites. Emergency services are increasingly making forward thinking decisions and using this popularity of social media to help broadcast important information via twitter, facebook and youtube during a crisis.

(OC Register: Courtesy of NAMUS, 2014)

People go missing everyday, its a sad truth. The Department of Justice's National Missing and Unidentified Persons System 'NamUs' has been operational for over 10years. It is an innovative agency that allows the government to enter known details about missing and undentifed persons into their system. Once this information has been posted, US Residents who has missing family or friends can search the website to see if they recognise anything that may be related to the missing person. If they find information, they can alert the authorities and ask them for further checks to see if their missing person matches the found body. (The Orange County Register, 2014)

The earlier sketch of the women who turned out to be Diana Smith, was made possible by NamUs. Despite having been missing for over 20years, her sister searched the NamUs database and recognised the sketch of her sister.  (The Orange County Register, 2014)

Question: Have you ever assisted (shared a post, known the person) an emergency service with a missing person/crime case?

------------- References

Rutledge, D. (2011). Crowdsourcing Comic. [image] Available at: http://www.signupgenius.com/blog/pid/328 [Accessed 16 Jan. 2015].

Merriam Webster, (2015). Crowdsourcing - Definition. [online] Available at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crowdsourcing [Accessed 16 Jan. 2015].

OC Register: Courtesy of NAMUS, (2014). Diana Smith Sketch. [image] Available at: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/missing-602007-namus-information.html#slideshow [Accessed 16 Jan. 2015].

(London Graphics Systems, 2014)

'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me..' In primary school I would sing this little rhyme with friends not knowing how incorrect it was. I wish someone would have told my 6 year old self to choose my words carefully as they have the power to destroy. I've hurt and been hurt by words. Most often it's when text becomes miscommunicated via digital means, used too many exclamation marks, typed in all caps, short responses all often get interpreted in an offensive manner. Sadly, people across all ages, particularly Gen Z, are hurt by more than miscommunication. They are victims to the keyboard warriors, bigots, trolls and can have life altering affects.

‘Social media has not radically altered the dynamics of bullying, but it has made these dynamics more visible to more people. We must use this visibility, not to justify increased punishment, but to help youth who are actually crying out for attention. Blaming technology or assuming that conflict will disappear if technology usage is minimised is naive.’ (Boyd 2014 pg152) 

The term bigot is believed to date back to at least 1958 where it was used to define religious hypocrites in their use of words ‘bi god’. Bullies, trolls, bigots all long outlive the 21st century, just because these people may use new weapons it does not mean its a 'new problem’. The difference is ‘home’ is no longer a safe haven, due the the internet and the rise of social media bullies are now able to enter the victims bedroom continue to bully the person where it should be a safe environment. (Lloyd, 2014)

What can we do? 'Although bigotry is not considered illegal it is an issue that can corrode our school, work, and personal environment. It can weaken relationships between family, friends, neighbours, and co-workers.' (Nobullying.com, 2014). As the cyberbullying realm is relatively new the laws surrounding the issue are still being developed and its important that social media sites are monitored and fall under a governing body.  

I believe the solution lies in the prevention through the means of education. 'As adolescents we had no concept of how our actions could or would affect another person' ( (Michael, 2015). Teaching about bullying isn't just a highschool issue, it needs to begin young and place values in children that they grow up understanding the effect they can have. Through teaching both in the classroom and at home we can begin to inform those from young children that the little rhyme lied, that in fact words can take a life. 

What mindsets or rhymes where you taught as a child that you now realise are unethical or similar?

——————- References

Boyd, D 2014, 'Bullying: Is the Media Amplifying Meanness and Cruelty?', in It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens, Yale University Press, New Haven, USA, pp 128-52.

Lloyd, A. (2014). The Dangerous World of Cyber-bullying. [online] Eaglestrategies - Strategic Social Media Class of the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas. Available at: http://eaglestrategies.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/cyber-bullying.html [Accessed 9 Jan. 2015].

London Graphics Systems, (2014). ‘Stop Cyberbullying Day’. [image] Available at: http://www.londongraphicsystems.co.uk/helping-stop-cyberbullying-day/ [Accessed 10 Jan. 2015].

Michael, E. (2015). Week 7: Presentation on Trolling & Social Media Conflict. Swinburne Online Discussion Board. [Accessed 9 Jan. 2015].

(Therules.org, n.d.)

Okay so I have a mega pet peeve with digital activism. You know those people who 'like' a page or 'share' a photo and then are suddenly activists who believe they are the king and are single handily changing the world? You may even be one, in which case if I offend you, I'm sorry.. When it comes to activism, sometimes we need to get of our high horses (computer chair, couch or bed) and do some dirty work to make a change.

Your now probably thinking 'jeez Candice, what's with the negative attitude?'. I may have given you the wrong first impression, I'm all for activism and do believe together we can be part an the answer to many global issues, and clicktivism has enabled both grass roots causes and major reach on issues which can be beneficial. The downside to this is, people can simply share a post which yes raises awareness but this is only beneficial if this is translated into actual action.

What is Clicktivism? In brief is defined as 'the use of social media and other online methods to promote a cause' (Clicktivist, 2015). Due to the growth in popularity of social media we should not limit clicktivism to promotion of causes, instead It is the use of digital media for facilitating both social change and activism. This includes, organising protests, crowdfunding, organising boycotts, petitions and more. (Clicktivist, 2015)

Clicktivism isn't the problem. Instead the newly define Slacktivism 'is when the consumer is willing to make small tokens of support... When the small act of token support is very public in nature and people can kind of signal to others that they have already helped the cause they actually aren't more likely to help later.' (Park, 2013)

The Pink Ribbon: Breast Cancer Awareness You know the one, people walk the streets with pink ribbons once a year, change their profile pictures to pink, share photos and so on. 95% of women will agree that mammograms are necessary, however despite all this social awareness between 50% and 74% of don't follow through with regular testing. (Park, 2013)

So how do you actually make a difference whilst participating in online activism? With so many causes all competing for your support its easy to 'like' all these pages without actually knowing what your supporting. Instead you should focus on choosing one or two that you are passionate about and willing to be more actively involved in rather than liking 20 or more on facebook. The fact you will actually do more than those who are slacktivists. (Park, 2013)

------------- References

Clicktivist, (2015). What is clicktivism? - Clicktivist. [online] Available at: http://www.clicktivist.org/what-is-clicktivism/ [Accessed 1 Jan. 2015].

Park, A. (2013). Clicktivism: Why social media is not good for charity. [online] News. Available at: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/11/18/clicktivism-why-social-media-not-good-charity [Accessed 1 Jan. 2015].