Week 5: Digital Community and Fandom: Reality TV Case Study

Reality television has become one of the most influential forms of entertainment in today’s digital world. More than simply being watched on television, reality TV is now experienced across multiple platforms, where audiences actively engage through social media discussions, fan pages, memes, and online commentary. Shows like Love Island and Big Brother create spaces where viewers interact, share opinions, and participate in the cultural conversation surrounding the show. This reflects the idea of digital publics, where online communities are formed through shared interests and interactions in digital spaces (Taylor, 2023).

Another important concept is the public sphere, which explains how media can become a platform for public discussion and opinion-making. Although reality TV is often considered light entertainment, it frequently sparks meaningful conversations about relationships, gender roles, race, beauty standards, and social identity. Audiences do not only react to dramatic moments—they also debate broader social issues that appear within these programs, making reality TV a catalyst for everyday public discourse (Klein & Coleman, 2022).

Reality TV also encourages participatory culture, where audiences become active contributors rather than passive viewers. Fans create content, follow contestants online, comment on episodes in real time, and build fandom communities that continue beyond the television broadcast. This multiplatform engagement shows how reality TV has evolved into a digital social experience, connecting entertainment, identity, and community in new ways (Torrego González et al., 2021; Harbin, 2023).

References

Harbin, M. B. (2023). Don’t make my entertainment political! Social media responses to narratives of racial duty on competitive reality television series. Political Communication, 40(4), 464–483.

Klein, B., & Coleman, S. (2022). Look at me, I’m on TV: The political dimensions of reality television participation. Media, Culture & Society, 44(3), 497–513.

Taylor, Z. A. (2023). Everyone stop what you’re doing and BeReal: Live networked publics and authenticity on BeReal. Social Media + Society.

And then, a week later, those same people wonder aloud: “Why is the fandom shrinking?”

This is why. Because when things go bad, people look away. Because silence is easier than conflict. Because letting someone else take the fall feels safer than standing up. And in doing that, the space becomes hostile, even if only in small, quiet ways.

Fandoms don’t just fade. They rot from the inside when community care is replaced with self-preservation. If you want a thriving fandom, you have to act like it’s a community worth protecting. That means intervening. That means not letting people you care about get isolated or pushed out while you watch from the sidelines.

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

In today’s digital world, being a citizen is no longer limited to offline participation. The concept of digital citizenship refers to how individuals use online platforms responsibly, ethically, and actively to engage with society. It includes activities such as sharing information, participating in discussions, and even engaging in political movements through social media.

One important idea linked to digital citizenship is hashtag publics, which describes how people gather online around shared topics using hashtags. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok allow users to participate in large-scale conversations simply by using a hashtag. These hashtag publics are powerful because they enable individuals to feel part of a collective voice, even if they are geographically distant.

A strong example of this is the #BlackLivesMatter movement, which gained global attention through social media. Hashtags helped spread awareness, organise protests, and encourage discussions about racial injustice. This shows how digital platforms can transform individual opinions into collective action. Research suggests that online communities play a significant role in shaping political engagement by encouraging participation and amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard (Crawford et al., 2021).

Another key aspect of digital citizenship is political engagement and activism. Today, young people especially are more likely to express their political views online rather than through traditional methods like voting or attending physical events. Social media platforms provide accessible spaces for activism, allowing users to share petitions, create content, and mobilise support quickly. However, this also raises questions about “slacktivism,” where users engage only at a surface level, such as liking or sharing posts without taking further action.

At the same time, digital activism can have real-world impact. Studies show that online fandoms and communities can mobilise quickly for causes, raising funds or spreading awareness effectively (Johnson et al., 2024). This demonstrates that digital participation is not always superficial—it can lead to meaningful change when organised effectively.

However, digital citizenship also comes with responsibilities. The spread of misinformation, online harassment, and echo chambers are major concerns. Algorithms on social media platforms often reinforce existing beliefs, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives. This can weaken constructive political discussion and increase polarisation (Li & Pang, 2024).

In my opinion, digital citizenship is about balance. While social media gives individuals the power to speak and act, it also requires critical thinking and ethical responsibility. Being a good digital citizen means not only participating but also ensuring that our actions contribute positively to online communities and society as a whole.

References

Crawford, G., Fenton, A., Chadwick, S., & Lawrence, S. (2021). ‘All Avatars Aren’t We’: Football and the experience of football-themed digital content during a global pandemic. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 57(4), 515–531. https://doi.org/10.1177/10126902211021529

Li, E. C., & Pang, K. (2024b). Fandom meets artificial intelligence: Rethinking participatory culture as human–community–machine interactions. European Journal of Cultural Studies, 27(4), 778–787. https://doi.org/10.1177/13675494241236146

I am building an online community for people who like Seapunk or Vaporwave. There will be an online forum just for us where you can show your outifts, chat, artworks or just seapunk inspired media.

✨ Step into a modern digital platform where sleek design, engaging features, and trending content come together to create an immersive and seamless online experience.

✨ Discover a stylish digital platform where modern design, interactive features, and trending content come together to create a seamless and engaging online experience.