#digital community

Digital citizenship is similar and equivalent to a national citizenship, just translated to technology use, and it’s being granted way less attention than it deserves. People spend hours on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Tumblr and etc. and this pretty much proves the undeniable significance of digital space and community to every individual in this modern day generation. 

Ribble (2011) states digital citizenship as the responsible and appropriate use of technology by the public. 

How do we measure and assess digital citizenship in ourselves and within digital communities? 

One useful framework for understanding digital citizenship is Mike Ribble’s 9 Elements of Digital (Ribble & Shaaban, 2011) .

The nine elements highlight the responsibilities individuals carry when participating in digital spaces. They also turn digital citizenship into a complete framework which covers the social, ethical, legal, and personal dimensions of online life (Yehya Rafaat, 2014) . 

The 9 elements of digital citizenship demonstrate responsible online behaviour includes equal access to technology, critical use of information, respectful communication, and awareness of laws, rights, and etiquette. They also emphasise the importance of protecting privacy and security, maintaining digital wellbeing, and engaging responsibly in online economic activities.

Now that we have understood the definition of digital citizenship, it’s time to look at profound examples of digital citizenship being carried into great practice.

Remember Greta Thunberg.

The young climate change activist established a “digital legacy” - one that stirred the digital wave and brought it to life - when she was just 15 years old. The overall impact exerted on the news agenda, online attention, and people’s attitudes and behaviours has been coined as “the Greta effect”. Studies affirm that successful public advocacies like the Greta effect can shape collective efficacy beliefs and motivate collective action, particularly among those with shared political ideology.

Thunberg’s first school strike led to a massive increase of public attention towards the global warming issue after 2016 (Lozano-Díaz & Fernández-Prados, 2021) . This is a result of growing newspaper coverage and online search volume. More importantly, her approach is a classic example of digital communication. Following COVID-19 restrictions, Thunberg shifted the Fridays for Future movement to a #DigitalStrike format, using social media to maintain momentum. This demonstrated a form of "distributed citizen participation," where online platforms acted as essential tools for civic awareness.

'Greta effect' spurring UK children's online activism, Ofcom says. (The Guardian, 2020)

Her most successful yet controversial movement has to be the #FridaysforFuture movement (Lozano-Díaz & Fernández-Prados, 2021) . It encourages students to protest every Friday, demanding immediate action on climate change in line with the Paris agreement. Her success has indefinite ties to her postings on Twitter Page. She has amassed a large following due to her passion already to begin with. To combat the media’s visible biases, Thunberg has wielded her Twitter following and notoriety to in many cases de-centralise her self-image for the sake of elevating a plethora of her other voices, at the same time asking others to do the same (Weadock, 2020) .

Nakate’s Twitter post. The photo, of Nakate and others protesting, stated: 

I am Vanessa from Africa. I have striked for climate [sic] for over a year now with fellow #Africanactivists. I have realised that our cries have not been listened to. It is important to know that #Africanlivesmatter. The #RiseUpMovement is changing that story this year! (Nakate, 2020). 

Thunberg’s retweet stated: 

Africa is so hugely underreported when it comes to the climate crisis (as well as everything else…). If you have a platform - help amplify the voices and stories from Africa. Africa has a key role in the fight for climate justice. Please acknowledge and share their perspective (Thunberg, 2020). 

Thunberg’s Twitter presence creates group identification by inviting collective identity surrounding “shared interactions” within “social institutions, organizational structures, patterns of social interaction and a constellation of experiences,” which are built on live experiences but that don’t privilege any individual’s voice or discount difference (Weadock, 2020), 

Her actions portrayed a “new type” of activist movement which is based upon the groundwork of digital citizenship, as she exercised controlling her digital image while turning online citizens into real followers. A conversion of public digital interaction to a physical active participation of people in the climate change movement further proved the importance of digital citizenship in influencing reality (Mede & Schroeder, 2024) . 

To conclude, the Greta’s effect consolidates the standing significance of digital citizenship, its influence inevitably parallel to traditional citizenship. As digitization has rooted in human civilization to a point that is inseparable, society is in need of a digital monitorship to ensure digital citizenship is being taken care of. Thunberg's efforts, nevertheless, showcased a lively, spontaneous effect as a result of digital citizenship if being exploited to the fullest, if being used correctly. 

Week 6 Reflection: What is Digital Citizenship? Hashtag Publics, Political Engagement and Activism

References:

“Greta effect” spurring UK children’s online activism, Ofcom says. (2020, February 4). The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/feb/04/greta-effect-spurring-uk-childrens-online-activism-ofcom-says

Lozano-Díaz, A., & Fernández-Prados, J. S. (2021). Young digital citizenship in #FridaysForFuture. Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies, 44(5), 447–468. https://doi.org/10.1080/10714413.2021.1929012

Mede, N. G., & Schroeder, R. (2024). The “Greta Effect” on Social Media: A Systematic Review of Research on Thunberg’s Impact on Digital Climate Change Communication. Environmental Communication, 18(6), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2024.2314028

Ribble, M., & Shaaban, A. (2011). Digital Citizenship in Schools Second Edition. ResearchGate; unknown. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340468314_Digital_Citizenship_in_Schools_Second_Edition

Weadock, C. R. (2020). @GretaThunberg: Navigating Critique and Identity Within Youth Climate Activism on Twitter. Digital Commons @ DU. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/1861/?utm_source=digitalcommons.du.edu%2Fetd%2F1861&utm_medium=PDF&utm_campaign=PDFCoverPages

I have been watching Culinary Class Wars and to be honest, I did not expect to get that invested into it 😅. At first, I thought it was just another cooking competition with those intense challenges along with the dramatic judging and some talented contestants who are trying to prove themselves. Pretty standard huh? But nooooo😭, after a few episodes, it started to feel like something more. It is not simply just about the food but it is about the people involved, their background, their struggles and how they can deal with the pressure.

The show features around 100 chefs with "underdog" chefs against top-tier chefs in a competitive culinary battle. This difference by itself does make it more intense but it's also more personal to watch. More Than Just Food 🍽️ The interesting fact about Culinary Class Wars is the combination of cooking and storytelling. The contestants are not only judged based on technical skills, but also on the basis of creativity and even how they present themselves under pressure.

Somehow there is always that one contestant you naturally end up rooting for - usually the underdog 🥹 Then there's maybe one who somehow frustrates you for no clear reason 😭. Before you even realise it, you begin to form some opinions, picking sides and get emotionally attached to their journey. The funny thing is… this is not random.

Reality TV tends to be organised in a manner that gives emphasis on personal stories to create a stronger emotional attachment with the audience (Murray & Ouellette 2023). As a matter of fact, one of the show's greatest strengths is the juxtaposition of various culinary identities ranging from street food to Michelin-star quality as it makes the competition feel like more than just cooking (Baek Byung-yeul, 2024). And that is what keeps people watching. From Watching to Participating 📱💬 What I find even more interesting is that the experience is not terminated when the episode finishes. After watching it, I can awkwardly find myself scrolling through TikTok to see what other people are thinking and clearly, I am not the only one doing this 😭😭😭😭 .

People would analyse the judge decisions while supporting their favourite contestant and even make some edits, meme or reaction videos 🎬. There are some viewers who also make predictions or even comment on the fairness of the competition. So.... at this point, the audience is no longer simply watching the show but they are actively participating in discussions and popularity around it. This is what Jenkins and Jie (2024) refers to as participatory culture where the audience actively engages with the media rather than passively consuming it. In Culinary Class Wars, the show continues through online discussion where the viewers extending the story beyond the screen 🌐.

Sometimes, the online reactions can be more intense than the actual show 🔥. Social media platforms quickly increase the emotional reactions that can turn entertainment into fandom wars, online conflict or even targeted criticism towards contestants. Why Do We Care So Much? 🤔 One of the things that I continue to observe is that people have become so emotionally attached to contestants so fast. Although we are aware that reality TV is staged, it does not come across as fake. Reality television is meant to push the boundaries between what is considered real and what is created, forming a sense of closeness between the audience and participants 📺 (Eichelberger, 2024). Due to this, viewers also react in an emotional way, either by supporting, criticising and even defending the contestants as if they know them personally.

But at the same time, it is important to recognise that what we observe is well-developed. The editing, storytelling and production options have an impact on the way every contestant is portrayed. A "villain" or "favourite" is not necessarily natural - there are cases when it is created on purpose to entertain. And yet.....we still fall for it every single time.

A Digital Community in Action 🌍 What makes this even more meaningful is that a virtual community forms around the show. To be clear, people online may not know each other personally but they are connected through the same interest. There are people supporting the same contestants, arguing over judging decisions and reacting dramatically to every single moment of the show  🎉. It may be disorganised and sometimes even chaotic, but honestly, that is exactly what makes the community alive and interesting.

At the same time, participatory culture is not always positive. Online discussion could create community and engagement but also lead to toxic actions towards contestants. Since people can easily get emotionally attached to the show, it is possible that the criticism online may be personal instead of constructive. This is related to the concept of networked publics, in which online platforms enable people to interact and create communities based on common interests (Boyd, 2010). These shared viewing experiences can be popular, as Culinary Class Wars did, even reaching the top of the Netflix charts worldwide and attracting millions of views (Baek Byung-yeul, 2024).

Hi everyone 👋 I 'm really Glad you stopped by my blog.

This blog is part of my weekly reflection for MDA20009, where I explore topics related to social media, digital culture, and online communities. Feel free to browse and share your thoughts if you find anything interesting 😊

This week, I will be discussing digital communities and fandom, with a focus on reality TV, specifically Love Island.

A digital community refers to groups of people who interact and communicate online based on shared interests. In today’s social media environment, fandoms are one of the strongest examples of how digital communities are formed and sustained through constant interaction and participation (Gray, Sandvoss, & Harrington, 2017).

Love Island as a Digital Fandom Community

A good example is Love Island, a popular reality dating show that has developed a strong global fanbase. Fans from different countries actively use platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to share clips, GIFs, memes, and episode discussions.

Memes and GIFs play an important role in this fandom. Iconic moments such as “I got a text!” or dramatic arguments between contestants are quickly turned into reaction GIFs and shared widely online. These visual formats allow fans to express emotions, humour, and opinions in a fast and engaging way.

Participatory Culture and Fan Engagement

Fandom communities are highly active and participatory. Instead of passively consuming content, fans create edits, comment on episodes, and use hashtags to organise discussions and express opinions.

For example:

Fans create short video edits of favourite couples on TikTok

Viewers live-tweet reactions during episodes

Meme pages repost viral moments daily

This reflects what Henry Jenkins describes as participatory culture, where audiences actively contribute to media content rather than simply consuming it.

Research also shows that digital fandom activity is strongly influenced by platform design and algorithmic recommendations, which shape what content becomes visible and popular.

Community Interaction and Emotional Connection

This creates a sense of belonging within the fandom, where viewers feel connected not only to the show but also to other fans. These interactions strengthen the digital community and encourage continuous participation.

Positive and Negative Aspects of Fandom

There are both positive and negative aspects of these communities.

On the positive side:

Fandoms create a sense of belonging and shared identity

Fans can express creativity through memes and edits

Global audiences can connect regardless of location

However, there are also challenges:

Toxic comments and online harassment

Fan conflicts over favourite contestants

Algorithm-driven platforms can amplify negativity and polarisation (Yin, 2020)

Conclusion

Overall, Love Island fandom demonstrates how reality TV audiences are no longer passive viewers but active participants in digital culture. Through memes, GIFs, and social media interaction, fans contribute to the spread and meaning of the show.

Social media has transformed how audiences engage with reality TV, turning it into a shared, interactive experience that extends beyond the screen.

References Gray, J., Sandvoss, C., & Harrington, C. L. (Eds.). (2017). Fandom, Second Edition. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1pwtbq2

Yin, Y. (2020). An emergent algorithmic culture: The data-ization of online fandom in China. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 23(4), 475–492. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367877920908269

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“Just one more video.”

That is always my biggest lie before sleeping. 😭

I open Instagram or TikTok for a few minutes, then suddenly I’m watching outfit reels, clothing hauls, and “Get Ready With Me” videos for an hour.

And somehow… I end up opening my shopping app too. 🛍️

Sometimes influencers make fashion look so effortless and aesthetic that I immediately want to buy the same clothes. One cute outfit video later, and suddenly there are three new items sitting in my cart. 😂

Because of social media, buying clothes has become super easy. New trends appear every week, and influencers are always showing “must-have” outfits. Slowly, my wardrobe became fuller and fuller. 👚👖

But recently, I started thinking about slow fashion.

According to Earth.Org (2022), slow fashion is “a movement that advocates for environmental and social justice in the fashion industry.” 🌿

Instead of constantly buying trendy clothes, slow fashion encourages people to buy less and wear clothes longer.

Honestly, this made me realize something funny.

The clothes I wear the most are not the trendy outfits I bought because of influencers. They are actually my oversized T-shirts, hoodies, and jeans that I’ve worn for more than three years. 😭 They are comfortable, simple, and never go out of style.

Social media influencers really affect shopping habits today. Faverio and Anderson (2022) found that “39% of social media users say influencers impact their decisions about what to purchase.” 📲

After reading this, I realized I’m definitely part of that 72%.

But slow fashion reminds us that style is not about buying new clothes every month. As Rauturier (2024) explained, “the most sustainable clothes are the ones that are already in your wardrobe.” 👀

That quote really changed how I think about fashion.

I still love watching outfit videos because they are fun and inspiring. But now, before buying clothes, I try to ask myself:

* Will I actually wear this often?

* Am I buying this because I truly like it?

* Or because an influencer made it look cool?

Maybe I’ll still do impulsive shopping sometimes during sales season 😂

…but I want to learn how to appreciate the clothes I already own.

Because maybe fashion is not about owning more.

Maybe it’s about wearing what makes us feel comfortable and confident. 💚

---

References ：

Earth.Org. (2022, July 27). What is slow fashion and how can you join the movement? Earth.Org. https://earth.org/what-is-slow-fashion/

Faverio, M., & Anderson, M. (2022, November 21). For shopping, phones are common and influencers have become a factor, especially for young adults. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/11/21/for-shopping-phones-are-common-and-influencers-have-become-a-factor-especially-for-young-adults/

Week 11: Digital Citizenship and Conflict: Social Media Governance

Have you ever posted something online and thought, is this freedom of speech, or is it hurtful to someone?🤔📱 In our digital age, it is becoming increasingly hard to draw the line between opinion and harm.

Social media is among the most significant communication areas of today🌐💬. It is used by people to discuss, share opinions, support causes, and freely express themselves (Gazi et al., 2024). It has empowered freedom of speech in several ways,🗣️✨ including providing everyone with a voice, rather than just traditional media and institutions. But this freedom, too, poses a serious dilemma: Where is free speech and where is harmful speech?

Freedom of speech on social media allows people to share ideas, join in conversations and to take part in democratic processes all over the world. But studies indicate that with such liberty can come problems: misinformation, hate speech, cyberbullying and even growing social division, when it is not properly governed. This underscores the importance of a balanced approach that fosters free expression while striving to curb online harm via regulation, platform accountability, and responsible digital citizenship (Bourne, 2025).

Otherwise, the free flow of information and opinion are hallmarks of democracy. It is a space where people can voice multiple opinions, challenge authority and discuss social and political topics. If the freedom is taken away, online spaces could be more controlled and limited, which would decrease meaningful conversation. Social media is also being used by many users to promote awareness on many issues, including inequality, environmental concerns, and human rights cases. The right to freedom of speech is said to be the bloodstream of democracy because it allows people to engage in the public discussion of political issues, hold the powerful to account, and contribute to the development of the community (Historical Society of the New York Courts, 2025). It is essential to informed consent and free exchange of ideas if there is to be any self-governance.

Internet can also be used to hurt others, however. In the digital world we live in today, social media has made a huge part of our lives, and has thus given us more opportunities to interact and to be harmed by cyberbullying. It has been found that key factors such as anonymity, accessibility and peer pressure are associated with the presence of cyberbullying behaviour, with the users being more prone to act in a harmful manner when they feel anonymous, always connected and influenced by their peers (Abreu & Kenny, 2017).

Evidence reveals that online harassment, trolling and hate speech are prevalent problems, particularly against women, LGBTQ+ and minority communities. Offensive messages, threats, false rumours or even coordinated attacks on individuals can constitute harassment. It isn't just an online issue, it's an emotional and psychological one too which can stop people from talking about topics; this could be damaging to a person's real life.

Abreu and Kenny (2020) conducted a systematic review of rates of cyberbullying among sexual minority and gender-expansive youth, and found that these rates ranged from 10.5% to 71.3%. LGBTQ youth frequently face harassment, threats, and targeted abuse, which can have serious effects including depression, low self-esteem, suicidal ideation and social isolation (Wang et al., 2018). The results show cyberbullying is not only pervasive, it is also highly unequal and reflects broader social prejudices which are magnified within digital contexts.

This is the point where the battle becomes apparent. When it's possible to have all speech without restrictions on platforms, harmful behaviour can develop and lead people to withdraw from participation. However, by limiting content to a certain degree, platforms could potentially be limiting free expression and open debate. A challenge for social media governance is the balancing between protecting the users and protection of freedom.

Ultimately, the question of the freedom of speech vs harmful behaviour has no easy answer. The important thing is that both are important! Open expression and protection from abuse are needed to maintain a healthy digital society. This balance is dependent on laws, platform responsibility and most importantly, the behaviour of digital citizens themselves.

References

Gazi, M. a. I., Rahaman, M. A., Rabbi, M. F., Masum, M., Nabi, M. N., & Senathirajah, M. R. B. S. (2024). The Role of Social Media in Enhancing Communication among Individuals: Prospects and Problems. Environment and Social Psychology, 9(11). https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v9i11.2979

Bourne, P. A. (2025, September 26). Freedom of Speech in the Social Media Era: Costs, Benefits, and Consequences. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/395888690_Freedom_of_Speech_in_the_Social_Media_Era_Costs_Benefits_and_Consequences

Historical Society of the New York Courts. (2025, August 25). Freedom of Speech - Historical Society of the New York Courts. https://history.nycourts.gov/democracy-teacher-toolkit/first-amendment-civil-liberties/free-speech/

Abreu, R. L., & Kenny, M. C. (2017). Cyberbullying and LGBTQ Youth: A Systematic Literature Review and Recommendations for Prevention and intervention. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 11(1), 81–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-017-0175-7

Wang, C., Chang, Y., Yang, Y., Hu, H., & Yen, C. (2018). Relationships between traditional and cyber harassment and self-identity confusion among Taiwanese gay and bisexual men in emerging adulthood. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 90, 14–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.12.015

Day 8

When I drew this card in April of 2020, I was watching people like @thepianofarm, Pat Race, the Wayward Retreat, The Meet Card, and Nuns and Nones performing a new and particular kind of magic. Whether it was poetry readings or remote dance parties or drawing hangouts or explorations of policy, they were all curating spaces that felt so nurturing during a season of grief and isolation. In these little digital windows, people cried together. They traded resources and information and jokes. They delved deep into their fears as we were all being flung headlong into a terrifying new reality.

I grumble about social media and the internet a lot, but the fact is there are many way of being online. Some don’t scratch the itch the way I want them to, but these deep, tender containers felt different. They left me wanting to pursue the thing I felt after getting back from the 100 Demon Dialogues tour in 2018: creating a room where people felt willing to share their innermost fears and hopes. Where they felt seen and heard and safe. I wanted to do it all the time.

It scares me, this kind of work, because it’s much more of a collaboration. It’s no longer me behind a podium at the front of the room, holding forth; it’s all of us in the circle, on the same level, working with what we’ve brought along for the ride.

The longer I do this, the less interested I am in acting like I know anything about anything. It creates a hierarchy and cuts people off from each other and makes the creator behind the podium into a sort of switchboard operator: all calls route through her. That’s not a sustainable way to build a community.

Hello Tumblr people! Have any of you ever thought about the issue I outlined above? Have you guys thought is blogging still useful in this day and age where are TikTok and Instagram popular on the internet nowadays? Well, in my point of view, blogging is still relevant in the era where TikTok and Instagram widely used, and it is also continues to be a platform for content creator to create and share their information. Despite this, it has changed significantly since it was established.

Have you ever thought ‘What is Blog?’

Well, I am one of the few people who doesn’t know anything about blogging too at first. Lets get in to the history of blog first. Swarthmore College student Justin Hall is credited with creating the first blog, Links.net, in 1994. However, it was not considered a blog at the time... Simply a personal webpage.

Then, in 1997, Jorn Barger, blogger for Robot Wisdom, the term “weblog”, which was meant to describe his process for “logging the web” as he surfed the internet. The term “weblog” was simplified to “blog” in 1999, by programmer Peter Merholz. A blog was originally a personal online log or diary where someone could share information or their views on many different kinds of topics. The information was provided in reverse chronological order, with the most recent post appearing first. A blog is now a frequently updated website or web page that can be used for personal or professional purposes.

While the rise of social media has caused some to declare that blogging is no longer relevant, the truth is that blogging is very much alive and well. There are more blogs than ever before on topics ranging from fashion and travel to politics and entertainment.

Nowadays, blog is mostly used by blogger to share their content, idea, and new information that they get with others. Media flexibility is one of the key points why I personally think that blogging is relevant in this age of TikTok and Instagram. As we all know, Instagram and TikTok support photo and video format only while blog can have a mix of text, image, videos and everything in it. As a result, blogs may be utilized to transmit the message much more efficiently by using numerous media types. With blog the blogger have more control over your platform's design and functionality.

Other than that, for people in business, blogging may be a strong marketing tool. They can market their goods or product through blog post for their client or consumers to stay up to date with their product updates. Blogging is an important component of any digital marketing strategy; it may boost leads by 67% and generate up to 97% more connections to your website. Visitors are drawn in by entertaining blogs that are well-written and give useful information. An amount of 61% of web users in the United States have purchased something after reading a blog. Bloggers can acquire the trust of their audience by continuously generating quality material that answers common issues and delivers credible information. Customers are more willing to conduct business with brands they trust, which can increase conversions and revenue.

Blogging can also boost your creativity and also sharp your critical thinking. To add on, it can also help people better their personal and professional life by sparking fresh ideas, discovering new perspectives, and thinking outside the box. But back to it again, every social media platform has it owns advantage.