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Hello everyone, I'm Zhili. I will be sharing insights and discussions related to my journey through MDA20009.

Crowdsourcing in times of crisis highlights how digital citizenship extends beyond everyday participation into collective survival. When communication systems collapse during disasters, social media platforms and volunteer networks often become lifelines. Week 12 emphasizes how communities, platforms, and individuals innovate to share information, coordinate relief, and build resilience through distributed digital tools.

Case Study: Haiti Earthquake (2010)

The Haiti earthquake in 2010 is one of the most significant examples of crisis crowdsourcing. Within hours of the disaster, volunteers worldwide mobilized to support relief efforts using digital tools. The Ushahidi Haiti Project collected SMS messages, tweets, and emails from people on the ground, reporting urgent needs such as trapped individuals, collapsed buildings, medical shortages, and blocked roads. These were translated, categorized, and geolocated by volunteers, creating real‑time maps that NGOs and emergency responders used to prioritize rescue missions and deliver supplies more effectively (Heinzelman & Waters, 2010).

The Haiti case demonstrated how ordinary citizens, empowered by digital platforms, could act as “human sensors” in a disaster zone. However, it also revealed challenges: misinformation, duplicate reports, and the difficulty of verifying urgent claims. Despite these obstacles, the Haiti deployment became a turning point in digital humanitarianism, inspiring similar efforts during the Japan tsunami (Acar & Muraki, 2011), where OpenStreetMap volunteers mapped damaged roads and shelters in real time, and the Queensland floods (Bruns et al., 2012), where the Queensland Police Service used Twitter and Facebook to provide rapid updates and counter misinformation. The Black Saturday bushfires in Australia (Harms et al., 2021) also showed how communities relied on digital communication to share warnings and coordinate recovery.

Together, these cases illustrate that crowdsourcing is not just technological innovation but a civic practice of solidarity and responsibility in times of crisis.

Guest Lecture Insights: Patrick Meier

For Week 12, the lecture drew on insights from Patrick Meier, a pioneer in crisis mapping and digital humanitarianism. Meier was instrumental in coordinating the Ushahidi deployment during the Haiti earthquake and later documented these experiences in his book Digital Humanitarians (2015). He emphasizes that crowdsourcing in disaster response is not only about technology but also about community trust, verification, and ethical responsibility.

Meier argues that digital humanitarians must balance speed with accuracy, ensuring that crowdsourced data is reliable enough to guide life‑saving decisions. He highlights the importance of “microtasking” — breaking down large volumes of crisis data into smaller tasks that volunteers can process quickly — and the role of machine learning in filtering information. His work demonstrates how volunteer networks, when properly organized, can complement official emergency services and transform crisis communication into a collaborative, global effort.

By amplifying his voice, Week 12 underscores how figures in humanitarian technology make visible the human cost of disaster communication breakdowns. Meier’s perspective reminds us that software literacy in times of crisis must include not only technical skill but also civic responsibility, ethical awareness, and the capacity to act collectively under pressure.

By amplifying his voice, Week 12 underscores how figures in humanitarian technology make visible the human cost of disaster communication breakdowns. Meier’s perspective reminds us that software literacy in times of crisis must include not only technical skill but also civic responsibility, ethical awareness, and the capacity to act collectively under pressure.

References

Acar, A., & Muraki, Y. (2011). Twitter for crisis communication: lessons learned from Japan’s tsunami disaster. International Journal of Web Based Communities, 7(3), 392. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijwbc.2011.041206

Bruns, A., Burgess, J., Crawford, K., & Shaw, F. (2012). #qldfloods and @QPSMedia: Crisis communication on Twitter in the 2011 South East Queensland floods - Research Report. In eprints.qut.edu.au. ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/48241/

Harms, L., Gibbs, L., Ireton, G., MacDougall, C., Brady, K., Kosta, L., Block, K., Baker, E., Gallagher, H. C., Kellett, C., Forbes, D., & Bryant, R. (2021). Stressors and Supports in Postdisaster Recovery: Experiences After the Black Saturday Bushfires. Australian Social Work, 74(3), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407x.2021.1874029

Heinzelman, J., & Waters, C. (2010). Crowdsourcing crisis information in disaster-affected Haiti. United States Institute of Peace. https://www.usip.org/publications/2010/10/crowdsourcing-crisis-information-disaster-affected-haiti

Digital citizenship is not only about creativity and participation; it also involves navigating conflict, harassment, and ethical dilemmas in online spaces. Week 11 emphasizes how communities, platforms, and individuals respond to social media conflict, and how software literacy enables users to critically engage with these challenges.

Conflict in Online Communities

Social media platforms are arenas where disputes emerge, often around misinformation, trolling, or harassment. Erman Anom & Saddam Rassanjani, (2026) show that in Southeast Asia, digital ethics are shaped by cultural values such as communal accountability and religious morality, which influence how users’ self‑regulate online. This highlights that conflict cannot be understood only through Western frameworks but must be contextualized culturally.

Governance and Ethics

Platforms play a central role in moderating conflict. Dwork et al. (2024) argue that content moderation policies directly shape participation in online communities, sometimes increasing diversity but also risking exclusion. Schaffner et al. (2024) add that moderation policies vary widely across platforms, raising questions about consistency and fairness. Together, these studies highlight the ethical dilemmas platforms face in balancing safety with freedom of expression.

Case Study: Twitch Harassment and Community Response

Twitch illustrates the intersection of conflict, governance, and community. Seering et al. (2017) found that moderation and example‑setting directly influence whether communities foster pro‑social or anti‑social behaviour. Streamers often appoint moderators from their own communities, creating hybrid governance systems where platform tools (timeouts, bans, filters) intersect with cultural norms.

Harassment campaigns such as “hate raids” highlight the precarious nature of streaming labour. Ansary (2020) show that cyber harassment has long‑term psychological impacts, making effective governance essential. At the same time, community‑driven initiatives — such as safety campaigns and collaborative moderation — demonstrate how digital citizens can resist toxicity and reclaim agency.

This case illustrates that conflict is not only disruptive but also an opportunity for communities to practice digital citizenship. Software literacy here means understanding moderation tools, recognizing harassment patterns, and participating in governance. Platforms must design fair policies, streamers must foster inclusive spaces, and audiences must engage respectfully.

Guest Lecture Insights: Lady Gaga

For Week 11, the lecture drew on insights from Lady Gaga, a singer and activist whose Born This Way Foundation campaigns against online harassment, bullying, and mental health stigma (Born This Way Foundation, 2019). Gaga emphasizes that digital citizenship is not only about participation but also about empathy and accountability. Through initiatives like the Be There Certificate and youth‑led peer support programs, her foundation equips communities to recognize harassment, respond with compassion, and foster inclusive digital spaces.

Her perspective reframes social media conflict as an opportunity for ethical responsibility. Gaga argues that platforms must strengthen governance tools, but individuals also carry the responsibility to resist toxicity and build supportive cultures. By amplifying her voice, Week 11 highlights how cultural figures make visible the human cost of online harassment, reminding us that software literacy must include not only technical skill but also moral awareness.

References

Ansary, N. S. (2020). Cyberbullying: Concepts, theories, and correlates informing evidence-based best practices for prevention. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 50, 101343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2019.101343

Born This Way Foundation. (2019). Born This Way Foundation. https://bornthisway.foundation

Dwork, C., Hays, C., Kleinberg, J., & Raghavan, M. (2024). Content Moderation and the Formation of Online Communities: A Theoretical Framework. Proceedings of the ACM on Web Conference 2024, 1307–1317. https://doi.org/10.1145/3589334.3645490

Erman Anom, & Saddam Rassanjani. (2026). Digital ethics, cultural values, and self-regulation of social media activities in Indonesia and Malaysia. Frontiers in Communication, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2026.1745680

‌Schaffner, B., Bhagoji, Arjun Nitin, Cheng, S., Mei, J., Shen, J. L., Wang, G., Chetty, M., Feamster, N., Lakier, G., & Tan, C. (2024). “Community Guidelines Make this the Best Party on the Internet”: An In-Depth Study of Online Platforms’ Content Moderation Policies. ArXiv (Cornell University). https://doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642333

Digital citizenship extends beyond individual tools into collective spaces where communities, gaming, and live streaming converge. Software literacy here means understanding not only how to use these platforms but also how they shape identity, participation, and governance.

Online Communities

Communities on platforms like Discord, Reddit, and Twitch illustrate how digital citizens gather around shared interests. Livingstone and Third (2017) emphasize that young people’s rights in digital spaces include meaningful participation. These communities foster belonging but also require literacy to navigate moderation, harassment, and misinformation.

Social Gaming

Games such as Fortnite or League of Legends are more than entertainment—they are social ecosystems. Sheng & Kairam (2020) argues that online games create “networked publics” where players perform identity and build relationships. Software literacy involves understanding in‑game economies, communication tools, and governance structures that regulate play.

Live Streaming

Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Live transform gaming into performance. Plantin & Punathambekar (2018) show that streamers engage in “visibility labour,” curating their persona while interacting with audiences in real time. This labour is both creative and precarious, as algorithms and monetization policies shape who gets seen and rewarded.

Case Study: Twitch Communities and Moderation

Twitch illustrates the intersection of community, gaming, and streaming. Streamers build communities around their channels, but moderation is crucial. Hamilton et al. (2014) found that chat moderation practices directly affect whether viewers feel welcome or excluded. Toxicity can undermine community health, while inclusive moderation fosters belonging.

Moderation on Twitch is not only technical but cultural. Streamers often appoint moderators from their own community, creating a hybrid governance system where platform tools (timeouts, bans, filters) intersect with community norms. Kim et al. (2017) argue that this labour is precarious, as moderators and streamers must constantly negotiate visibility, harassment, and monetization pressures.

At the same time, Twitch communities can be empowering. Sheng & Kairam, (2020) highlights how live streaming enables marginalized players to find supportive spaces, while Plantin & Punathambekar (2018) show that streaming can generate new forms of digital work. The case of Twitch demonstrates that software literacy is about more than technical skill—it requires critical awareness of governance, identity, and collective responsibility.

Guest Lecture Insights: Pokimane (Imane Anys)

For Week 10, the lecture drew on insights from Pokimane (Imane Anys), one of Twitch’s most recognized streamers, who has spoken openly about the challenges of building healthy online communities. Pokimane emphasizes that streaming is not just entertainment but a form of community governance, where moderators and audiences shape the culture of a channel. She highlights how harassment and toxicity can undermine belonging, while inclusive moderation fosters supportive spaces.

Her perspective reframes live streaming as both creative and precarious labour. Streamers must constantly negotiate visibility, monetization, and community health, echoing Seering & Kairam’s (2023) findings that volunteer moderators play essential roles in enforcing norms, managing chat flow, and sustaining community trust. By amplifying her voice, Week 10 shows how famous streamers make visible the hidden governance work behind gaming communities, reminding us that software literacy is about collective responsibility as much as technical skill (Seering & Kairam, 2022).

References

Hamilton, W., Garretson, O., & Kerne, A. (2014). Streaming on Twitch: Fostering participatory communities of play within live mixed media. Streaming on Twitch: Fostering Participatory Communities of Play within Live Mixed Media, 1315–1324. https://doi.org/10.1145/2556288.2557048

Kim, T., Yang, M., Bae, J., Min, B., Lee, I., & Kim, J. (2017). Escape from infinite freedom: Effects of constraining user freedom on the prevention of dropout in an online learning context. Computers in Human Behavior, 66, 217–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.09.019

Livingstone, S., & Third, A. (2017). Children and young people’s rights in the digital age: An emerging agenda. New Media & Society, 19(5), 657–670. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444816686318

‌Plantin, J.-C., & Punathambekar, A. (2018). Digital media infrastructures: pipes, platforms, and politics. Media, Culture & Society, 41(2), 163–174. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443718818376

‌Sheng, J. T., & Kairam, S. R. (2020). From Virtual Strangers to IRL Friends. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 4(CSCW2), 1–34. https://doi.org/10.1145/3415165

Instagram filters are not just playful tools; they are software features that shape identity, visibility, and digital citizenship. Filters allow users to alter their appearance, enhance images, or add augmented reality (AR) effects. While they may seem harmless, filters embody deeper issues of representation, algorithmic influence, and cultural norms. Software literacy means not only knowing how to apply filters but also critically understanding their social and psychological consequences.

Filters are embedded in Instagram’s design as part of aesthetic labour. Fardiah et al. (2023) show that Instagram’s visual content directly impacts digital literacy, as users learn to interpret and manipulate images in ways that influence perception and engagement. Livingstone & Third (2017) adds that social media platforms like Instagram can foster digital citizenship by encouraging storytelling and identity play, but they also risk reinforcing dominant beauty standards.

From a public health perspective, filters can contribute to body dissatisfaction. Chae (2018) highlights that beauty filters often present unrealistic ideals—thinness, flawless skin, sharp noses—that younger users may internalize as reality. This illusion of perfection is linked to eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Toch et al. (2018) further found that frequent exposure to filtered photos correlates with negative body image and lower self‑esteem, even if the effects vary across individuals.

Case Study: AR Beauty Filters and Identity

Augmented reality (AR) filters on Instagram, such as Bold Glamour or Perfect Face, reshape how users see themselves. These filters smooth skin, enlarge eyes, and simulate cosmetic enhancements. Marghitu and O’Meara (2024) argue that AR filters are not neutral—they reinforce gendered beauty norms while also offering spaces for queer and nonbinary identity exploration. For example, while many filters perpetuate Eurocentric ideals, some custom filters created by artists allow users to resist mainstream aesthetics and playfully experiment with identity.

The case of AR beauty filters illustrates how software literacy is about more than technical skill. Users must critically assess how filters normalize cosmetic modification and how algorithmic systems privilege filtered content for visibility. This unpaid “visibility labour” sustains Instagram’s economy, where polished images gain more likes and reach. At the same time, filters can marginalize diverse bodies by promoting homogenized ideals.

Guest Lecture Insights: Jameela Jamil

For Week 9, the lecture drew on insights from Jameela Jamil, actress and activist, who has become one of the most outspoken critics of Instagram filters. Jamil argues that filters “sell a lie,” presenting unrealistic beauty ideals that contribute to eating disorders and body dysmorphia. Through her I Weigh campaign, she highlights how filters normalize cosmetic modification and reinforce Eurocentric standards, while marginalizing diverse bodies and identities.

Her perspective reframes filters as more than playful tools; they are cultural artefacts that sustain Instagram’s economy by rewarding polished, filtered images with higher visibility. Jamil emphasizes that this cycle of “visibility labour” pressures users to curate their digital selves constantly, creating anxiety and comparison cultures. At the same time, she acknowledges that filters can be used creatively when designed by artists or marginalized communities to resist mainstream aesthetics and reclaim identity play.

Her critique underscores the importance of software literacy: users must learn not only how to apply filters but also how to question their social consequences. Jamil calls for greater platform accountability, including transparency measures such as filter usage labels and stricter regulation of influencer branding. By amplifying her voice, Week 9 highlights how famous figures can make the hidden harms of filters visible to mainstream audiences, urging digital citizens to balance creativity with critical awarenes

References

Chae, J. (2018). Explaining Females’ Envy Toward Social Media Influencers. Media Psychology, 21(2), 246–262. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2017.1328312

Fardiah, D., Darmawan, F., Rinawati, R., Cholifah, Y. W., & Abdullah, S. I. (2023). Instagram Content Impact on Digital Literacy Capability. Jurnal ASPIKOM, 8(1), 79. https://doi.org/10.24329/aspikom.v8i1.1219‌

Livingstone, S., & Third, A. (2017). Children and young people’s rights in the digital age: An emerging agenda. New Media & Society, 19(5), 657–670. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444816686318

Marghitu, S., & O’Meara, J. (2024). Seamful Sutures: Gender Exploration and Identity Expression Using Augmented Reality Facial Filters. Global Storytelling: Journal of Digital and Moving Images, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.3998/gs.5628

Social media platforms like Instagram have become central to how body image ideals are created and circulated. Users are encouraged to conform to “aesthetic templates”—poses, filters, and body work—that promote specific standards of attractiveness (Marwick, 2013). These templates are closely tied to microcelebrity culture, where visibility and branding are achieved through curated self‑presentation. While such practices can generate influence and status, they also contribute to body dissatisfaction and cosmetic seeking behaviors.

Public health campaigns intersect with these dynamics. Movements such as Movember show how social media can mobilize communities for health awareness. Yet, influencer‑driven campaigns often blur the line between health promotion and commercial branding. Bishop (2021) notes that algorithmic cultures privilege content that is palatable to mass audiences, meaning heteronormative and sexualized aesthetics dominate visibility. This creates tension for marginalized identities, who may experience algorithmic invisibility or self‑censorship online (Duffy & Hund, 2015).

Pornification is another critical concept. Duffy & Hund (2015) argue that selfies and influencer branding often involve sexualized labour, presenting women as objects alongside the products they promote. Female aesthetic templates emphasize lips, jawlines, waists, and buttocks, while male templates highlight athleticism, strength, and dominance. These gendered norms reinforce heteronormative ideals and limit diverse expressions of identity.

The consequences for public health are significant. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has been linked to the dissonance between online aesthetic templates and offline realities (Miller, 2009). Users striving to emulate influencer ideals may undergo repeated cosmetic procedures, yet remain dissatisfied “Digital Intimate Publics and Social Media,”(2018) warn that commercial platforms hold immense power in shaping identities, often promoting unattainable ideals that exacerbate anxiety and body image crises.

Case Study: “Fitspiration” and Body Image

One example of how aesthetic templates affect health is the rise of “fitspiration” content. Carrotte, Prichard, and Lim (2017) found that fitness‑related posts on Instagram often reinforce gendered stereotypes—men portrayed as muscular and dominant, women as slim and sexualized. While framed as motivational, these images can promote unrealistic standards and encourage unhealthy behaviours.

Fitspiration illustrates how body modification ideals are embedded in everyday social media use. Users may feel compelled to edit photos, adopt poses, or pursue cosmetic changes to align with these templates. This case highlights the need for greater regulation of influencer health campaigns and more diverse representations of bodies online.

Ultimately, Week 8 shows that body modification on social media is not just personal—it is cultural. Aesthetic templates shape identity, reinforce inequalities, and carry public health consequences. Addressing these issues requires both awareness and structural change in how platforms govern visibility.

Guest Lecture Insights: Taylor Hardwick

The Week 8 guest lecture by Taylor Hardwick expanded this discussion by emphasizing how aesthetic templates are not only cultural but also tied to platform governance and public health. Hardwick explained that algorithmic visibility privileges certain “ideal” bodies, reinforcing Eurocentric and heteronormative standards, which echoes Bishop’s (2021) findings on algorithmic bias. He connected these practices to rising cases of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), stressing that repeated cosmetic procedures often fail to resolve dissatisfaction because the root issue lies in comparison cultures fostered by algorithms (Miller, 2009). Hardwick also critiqued influencer‑driven health campaigns, noting how they blur the line between genuine advocacy and commercial branding, undermining the credibility of public health messaging. He reinforced Duffy and Hund’s (2015) argument that sexualized labour is embedded in influencer branding, illustrating how female influencers are pressured to emphasize lips, waists, and buttocks, while male influencers highlight strength and dominance. Finally, Hardwick argued that platforms must take responsibility for the public health consequences of aesthetic templates, suggesting greater transparency through filter labels or disclosure of cosmetic edits to empower users. His lecture reframed Week 8 as not just about individual body modification but about structural governance, highlighting the need for diverse representation, ethical platform design, and stronger regulation of influencer health campaigns.

References

Bishop, S. (2021). Influencer Management Tools: Algorithmic Cultures, Brand Safety, and Bias. Social Media + Society, 7(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051211003066

Carrotte, E., Prichard, I., & Lim, M. S. C. (2017). “Fitspiration” on Social Media: a Content Analysis of Gendered Images. “Fitspiration” on Social Media: A Content Analysis of Gendered Images, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.6368

Digital Intimate Publics and Social Media. (2018). In A. S. Dobson, B. Robards, & N. Carah (Eds.), Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97607-5

Duffy, B. E., & Hund, E. (2015). “Having It All” on Social Media: Entrepreneurial Femininity and Self-Branding among Fashion Bloggers. Social Media + Society, 1(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305115604337

Slow fashion challenges the wasteful practices of fast fashion by emphasizing sustainability, ethics, and responsibility. Unlike fast fashion, which thrives on rapid production cycles and disposable clothing, slow fashion promotes durability, fair wages, and respect for the environment. Yang & Lee (2021) trace its roots to countercultural movements of the 1960s and anti‑fur campaigns of the 1980s, showing that ethical fashion activism has a long history. Today, social media amplifies these efforts, allowing influencers and organizations to connect with audiences globally and reshape consumer culture.

The environmental impact of fast fashion is alarming. Brewer (2019) highlights that the industry contributes 10% of global carbon emissions and 17–20% of industrial water pollution. Millions of tons of clothing end up in landfills annually, with companies like Burberry and H&M accused of destroying unsold stock. Against this backdrop, slow fashion offers an alternative paradigm, linking suppliers and producers more closely with consumers to enhance sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Slow fashion is often described through four guiding principles: child‑labour free supply chains, environmentally friendly materials, ethical wages and local production, and long‑term relationships across the supply chain (Domingos et al., 2022). These principles challenge the “throw‑away” culture of fast fashion and encourage consumers to think critically about their purchases.

Case Study: Big Sister Swap

Big Sister Swap, a UK‑based initiative, exemplifies how slow fashion can be embedded in everyday consumer behaviour. Instead of buying new clothes, participants swap items, promoting circular fashion and reducing waste. Through Instagram and other platforms, Big Sister Swap fosters a community of consumers who share their swaps, promote sustainable choices, and challenge the fast fashion model.

This case highlights that activism is not limited to protests or petitions—it can also be embedded in small, everyday actions. By participating in swaps and sharing them online, individuals demonstrate responsibility and sustainability. Brewer (2019) argues that slow fashion connects suppliers and consumers more closely, empowering communities and protecting human rights. Big Sister Swap illustrates how grassroots initiatives, amplified by social media, can reshape norms and encourage ethical consumption.

Ultimately, slow fashion activism shows that responsibility in fashion is about more than style—it is about sustainability, ethics, and community. By engaging with slow fashion movements, consumers contribute to environmental protection, social justice, and the redefinition of consumer culture.

References

Brewer, M. K. (2019). Slow Fashion in a Fast Fashion World: Promoting Sustainability and Responsibility. Laws, 8(4), 24. MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws8040024

Domingos, M., Vale, V. T., & Faria, S. (2022). Slow Fashion Consumer Behavior: a Literature Review. Sustainability, 14(5), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052860

Milenkova, V., & Lendzhova, V. (2021). Digital Citizenship and Digital Literacy in the Conditions of Social Crisis. Computers, 10(4), 40. https://doi.org/10.3390/computers10040040

Vromen, A. (2017). Digital Citizenship and Political Engagement. Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-48865-7

Digital citizenship today is more than just being “safe online.” It is about how people participate in society through digital platforms, exercising rights and responsibilities in ways that mirror traditional citizenship. Bowen et al. (2016) describe digital citizenship as enabling membership and participation in society, whether through voting, activism, or everyday online behaviors. In this sense, being a digital citizen means actively shaping communities and political discourse, not simply consuming content.

Social media platforms are central to this process. Gillespie (2010) explains that corporations present themselves as neutral “platforms,” yet their infrastructures and algorithms influence which voices are amplified. This process of “platformisation” (Poell et al., 2019) integrates digital platforms into everyday life, shaping activism, communication, and political engagement.

One of the most visible forms of digital citizenship is the rise of hashtag publics. Hashtags like #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter, and #StandWithUkraine are more than linguistic markers; they are tools for organizing ad hoc issue publics (Luyn, 2025). They facilitate connectivity, bundle loosely related content, and create “ambient affiliation” (Zappavigna, 2012), allowing individuals to feel part of a collective cause even without direct interaction. In this way, hashtags transform fragmented online activity into coordinated activism.

Political engagement has also shifted in the digital era. Vromen (2017) notes that while membership in traditional organizations like political parties has declined, citizens increasingly participate in ad hoc movements and online campaigns. Social media enables new forms of activism—sharing petitions, contacting officials, or amplifying political messages through retweets and posts. These micro-acts of engagement may seem small, but collectively they shape public discourse and influence political outcomes

Case Study: #MeToo Movement

The #MeToo movement exemplifies how hashtag publics redefine digital citizenship. Originally popularized by activist Tarana Burke and later amplified globally in 2017, #MeToo became a rallying cry against sexual harassment and assault. The hashtag allowed survivors to share their experiences, creating a powerful collective narrative that transcended borders and industries.

At the same time, #MeToo illustrates the constraints of platformisation. While social media enabled global reach, algorithms determined which stories gained traction, and platform policies shaped the boundaries of acceptable discourse. Moreover, backlash and trolling revealed the risks of digital activism, echoing McCosker, Vivienne, and Johns (2016), who argue that digital citizenship is always negotiated within structures of power and control.

Ultimately, #MeToo demonstrates how hashtag publics transform digital citizenship into a lived practice of activism. It shows that being a digital citizen is not passive—it is about participating in collective struggles, navigating platform politics, and reshaping cultural norms.

References

‌Bowen, B. D., DeLuca, V. W., & Franzen, M. M. S. (2016). Measuring how the degree of content knowledge determines performance outcomes in an engineering design-based simulation environment for middle school students. Computers & Education, 92-93, 117–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2015.10.005

Gillespie, T. (2010). The politics of “platforms.” New Media & Society, 12(3), 347–364. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444809342738

Luyn, V. (2025). An obsession with storytelling: Conducting oral history interviews for creative writing | QUT ePrints. Qut.edu.au. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/41939/

Milenkova, V., & Lendzhova, V. (2021). Digital Citizenship and Digital Literacy in the Conditions of Social Crisis. Computers, 10(4), 40. https://doi.org/10.3390/computers10040040

Reality television has always promised “real people, real drama,” but what makes it fascinating today is how quickly those “ordinary” contestants become celebrities. The moment they step onto shows like Married at First Sight or The Bachelor, their lives are no longer private. Social media accelerates this transformation, creating a sense of closeness between fans and contestants that feels authentic, even if it is carefully curated.

Scrolling through Instagram or Twitter, it’s easy to see how contestants share personal updates, emotions, and behind‑the‑scenes content. Stefanone, Lackoff, and Rosen (2010) describe this as mediated intimacy, where audiences feel entitled to personal access. Unlike actors in scripted dramas, reality TV stars are perceived as “real,” which makes fans believe they truly know them. That imagined intimacy is powerful—it draws audiences deeper into the fandom and makes them feel part of the contestant’s journey.

This closeness can be empowering. Contestants often gain sponsorships, influencer careers, and extended visibility beyond the show. Baym (2018) highlights how social media presence sustains audience engagement and builds parasocial relationships, benefiting both contestants and broadcasters. For some, reality TV becomes a launchpad into long‑term careers in entertainment or digital influence. Yet, intimacy is not without risk. Negative portrayals can lead to online harassment, bullying, and even threats. Marwick & boyd (2011) argue that collapsing boundaries between celebrity and ordinary life leaves individuals vulnerable to toxic fandom behaviour. The same closeness that empowers them can also expose them to harm.

Fans themselves play a crucial role in sustaining this dynamic. They interact directly with contestants, comment on posts, and create fan pages. This participatory culture strengthens fandom identity, as fans feel invested in the contestant’s success or failure. But it also raises ethical questions about privacy and exploitation. The expectation of constant access can pressure contestants to share more than they might wish, reinforcing the precarious balance between empowerment and harm. In this way, fandom is not only about entertainment but also about relationships and responsibilities within digital communities.

Ultimately, intimacy and celebrity in reality TV show how fandom is both a lifeline and a liability. Social media transforms contestants into accessible celebrities, empowering them while simultaneously exposing them to risks. This duality captures the complexity of fandom identity work in digital communities, where entertainment, intimacy, and vulnerability collide.

References

Baym, N. K. (2018). Playing to the crowd : musicians, audiences, and the intimate work of connection. New York University Press. https://nyupress.org/9781479896165/playing-to-the-crowd/

Marwick, A., & Boyd, D. (2011). To See and Be Seen: Celebrity Practice on Twitter. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 17(2), 139–158. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856510394539