#hashtag myposts

[ID: an image of Ace Attorney characters Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth’s stern courtroom sprites printed in a magazine captioned “Oh snap, the metrosexual men are mad.” end ID]

[ID: a simply stylized image of neil banging out the tunes, a cartoon rat playing a purple toy piano, tattooed on the inner forearm of a white person. a party hat has been drawn in pen on neil’s head. end ID]

Hi everyone 👋 welcome back to 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 citizenship, with a focus on hashtag publics, political engagement, and online activism.

What is Digital Citizenship?

The term "digital citizenship" describes how people actively, morally, and responsibly engage in online settings. It covers the ways in which we use digital platforms for communication, information sharing, and engagement in social, cultural, and political issues (Choi, 2021).

Being a digital citizen in today's social media environment involves more than just using technology; it also involves using it to engage with others and make constructive contributions to society.

Hashtag Publics and Online Communities

A key concept related to digital citizenship is hashtag publics, introduced by Zizi Papacharissi. Hashtag publics refer to the way people gather online around hashtags to discuss, share, and mobilise around social or political issues.

These online communities are commonly formed through platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter).

For example, hashtags such as #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo have enabled users worldwide to share experiences, raise awareness, and participate in discussions about social justice and gender equality (Jackson & Foucault Welles, 2021).

Political Engagement in the Digital Age

Social media has transformed how people engage with politics. Instead of relying only on traditional media, individuals can now share opinions instantly, participate in discussions, and access multiple perspectives online (Boulianne & Theocharis, 2021).

Hashtags also make political participation more accessible, especially for younger generations. Through social media, users can support campaigns, repost awareness content, and engage in civic discussions more easily than before.

This demonstrates how digital citizenship encourages participation and communication in modern democratic societies.

Online Activism and Its Impact

The use of internet platforms to advance social or political change is known as online activism. This entails posting educational content, planning campaigns, participating in online petitions, and using hashtags to raise awareness (Bennett & Segerberg, 2021).

Both offline action and public opinion can be influenced by digital activism. These days, a lot of social movements use social media to plan demonstrations, get media attention, and rally supporters throughout the world.

However, some academics contend that online activism can occasionally turn into "slacktivism," in which individuals merely engage through likes or shares without taking significant action in the real world actions.

Challenges of Digital Citizenship

Although digital platforms create opportunities for participation, they also present several challenges.

These include:

Misinformation, where false information spreads rapidly online

Online harassment and toxic behaviour

Echo chambers, where users are mainly exposed to opinions similar to their own

Polarisation, which may increase conflict between online communities.

These issues highlight the importance of critical thinking and ethical online behaviour as part of responsible digital citizenship.

Conclusion

In general, digital citizenship has a significant impact on how people use digital platforms to engage with society. Social media facilitates new forms of public discourse and political engagement through hashtag publics and online activism.

However, even while digital platforms offer chances for engagement and communication, users must connect online in a responsible and critical manner.

References

Bennet, W. L., & Segerberg, A. (2012). The Logic of Connective Action. Information, Communication and Society, 15, 739-768. - References - Scientific Research Publishing. (2021). Scirp.org. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=2960817

Jackson, S. J., Bailey, M., & Foucault Welles, B. (2020). #HashtagActivism: Networks of Race and Gender Justice. The Mit Press.