Digital Media

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Social media is often associated with entertainment, communication, and networking. However, this week's topic demonstrated that social media can also play a critical role during times of crisis. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and bushfires often disrupt traditional communication systems. In these situations, social media platforms become important tools for sharing information, coordinating responses, and connecting affected communities.

One of the most interesting concepts discussed this week was crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing refers to the process of collecting information, ideas, or services from a large group of people, usually through online platforms. During emergencies, ordinary citizens can contribute valuable information by posting updates, images, videos, and location-based reports. This allows emergency services, governments, and aid organisations to gain real-time information about conditions on the ground.

The lecture highlighted several examples where crowdsourcing and social media played an important role during disasters, including the Haiti earthquake, the Japan tsunami, the Queensland floods, and the Black Saturday bushfires. In these situations, people used platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and crisis-mapping tools to share information, locate missing persons, request assistance, and coordinate relief efforts.

What I found most interesting is how social media can transform ordinary users into active participants during emergencies. Instead of only receiving information from governments or news organisations, individuals can contribute directly to disaster response efforts. This demonstrates the power of digital communities and networked communication.

Personally, I believe crowdsourcing has become increasingly important in modern society. During recent floods in Malaysia, many people used Facebook groups and community WhatsApp chats to share road conditions, flood warnings, and emergency assistance information. In many cases, this information spread faster than official announcements. However, there are also risks associated with crowdsourcing, including misinformation, rumours, and unverified reports. Therefore, it is important for users to verify information before sharing it with others.

Overall, this week's topic helped me understand how digital communities can create positive social impact during times of crisis. While social media is often criticised for spreading misinformation, it can also save lives when used responsibly. The ability of communities to work together through crowdsourcing demonstrates the potential of digital technologies to support resilience, cooperation, and disaster recovery.

Bruns, A. and Burgess, J. (2012) Researching News Discussion on Twitter. Journalism Studies.

Vieweg, S., Hughes, A.L., Starbird, K. and Palen, L. (2010) ‘Microblogging During Two Natural Hazards Events’, Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 1079–1088.

Palen, L. and Liu, S.B. (2007) ‘Citizen Communications in Crisis: Anticipating a Future of ICT-Supported Public Participation’, Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, pp. 727–736.

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Social media is often described as a place where people can connect, communicate, and participate in digital communities. However, this week’s lecture highlighted that social media is not always a positive space. Conflict, harassment, and abuse are common issues that affect many users and challenge the idea of digital citizenship.

One of the key concepts discussed was digital citizenship. A good digital citizen is someone who uses digital technologies responsibly, communicates respectfully with others, and contributes positively to online communities. While social media creates opportunities for participation and self-expression, it also creates opportunities for harmful behaviours such as trolling, cyberbullying, and online harassment.

The lecture introduced online harassment as a broad term that includes abusive messages, spreading rumours, impersonation, threats, and coordinated attacks. What surprised me most was the research showing that women and transgender individuals are more likely to experience online abuse. Studies discussed in the lecture found that many forms of online harassment are not isolated incidents but organised and networked activities involving multiple participants.

Personally, I have seen examples of online conflict on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. It is common to find people leaving offensive comments simply because they disagree with someone’s opinion. Sometimes users hide behind anonymous accounts and say things online that they would never say face-to-face. I think this demonstrates how the internet can reduce accountability for harmful behaviour.

Another important topic was social media governance. Social media platforms have significant power because they decide what content is allowed and what content should be removed. Governments, technology companies, moderators, and users all play a role in regulating online spaces. I believe platforms should take greater responsibility for protecting users while still allowing freedom of expression.

Overall, this lecture helped me understand that digital citizenship is not only about having access to technology. It is also about using technology ethically and responsibly. Creating safer online communities requires cooperation between governments, social media companies, community moderators, and individual users.

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Gaming has become much more than simply playing a game. This week's lecture explored how gaming communities, social gaming, and live streaming have transformed video games into important social spaces where people connect, communicate, and share knowledge.

One concept that stood out to me was the idea that gaming communities function as social communities. Players are not only interacting with games but also with other people who share similar interests. According to the lecture, gaming communities are made up of many smaller communities that players move between depending on their interests, skills, and experiences. These communities can exist through online forums, Discord servers, streaming platforms, esports events, and social media.

I was also interested in the discussion about live streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube Gaming. These platforms allow players to watch others play games while interacting through live chat. Unlike traditional entertainment, streaming creates a sense of participation and community. Viewers often develop strong connections with streamers and other audience members, creating communities that exist beyond the game itself.

Personally, I have experienced this through multiplayer games and gaming videos online. Even when I am not actively playing a game, I often watch gameplay videos, tutorials, or livestreams. These platforms help players learn new strategies, discover updates, and connect with others who share similar interests. I find that gaming communities can provide a sense of belonging, especially for people who may not have many opportunities to meet others with the same hobbies in their offline lives.

The lecture also discussed esports and modding. Esports has grown into a global industry with professional players, tournaments, sponsorships, and millions of viewers. Meanwhile, modding allows players to modify existing games and contribute new content. This demonstrates that gaming communities are not only consumers of content but also creators who actively shape gaming culture.

Overall, this lecture helped me understand that gaming is no longer an individual activity. Modern gaming communities encourage collaboration, creativity, learning, and social interaction. While some people still view gaming as a solitary hobby, it is clear that games have become important digital communities that connect people around the world.

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Week 9 Reflection: AR Filters and the Impact on Self-Perception

This week’s lecture explored the growing use of Augmented Reality (AR) filters on social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat. AR filters allow users to combine digital elements with the real world, creating modified versions of themselves through their smartphone cameras. While these filters can be entertaining and creative, they also raise important questions about beauty standards, self-perception, and mental health.

One of the most interesting ideas discussed in the lecture was that filters do not simply “remove” imperfections. Instead, they add new features and enhance appearance by smoothing skin, enlarging eyes, reshaping facial structures, and creating idealised versions of users. As a result, many people become accustomed to seeing filtered versions of themselves rather than their real appearance.

The lecture also introduced the concept of “Instagram Face,” which refers to a common beauty ideal promoted by social media filters. Features such as flawless skin, full lips, high cheekbones, and a slim facial structure are repeatedly presented as desirable. Because millions of users are exposed to these standards every day, beauty ideals become increasingly standardised and unrealistic.

Another important concept was “Snapchat Dysmorphia.” Traditionally, people seeking cosmetic surgery often used celebrity photos as references. However, recent studies suggest that some individuals now want cosmetic procedures to make themselves look like their filtered selfies. This demonstrates how digital technologies can influence real-world decisions and body image perceptions.

Personally, I use filters occasionally when taking photos with friends. Before this lecture, I viewed filters mainly as a fun feature. However, I now realise that frequent exposure to filtered images may affect how people evaluate their own appearance. When everyone appears flawless online, it becomes easier to compare ourselves negatively with others.

At the same time, AR filters are not entirely negative. They can be used creatively for entertainment, storytelling, and self-expression. Filters also allow users to experiment with different identities and visual styles. Therefore, the issue is not the technology itself but how it is used and how aware users are of its effects.

Overall, this lecture helped me understand the complex relationship between AR filters, beauty culture, and self-image. As AR technology continues to develop, it is important for users to critically evaluate what they see online and remember that filtered images do not always represent reality.

What I found most interesting about this topic is how normalised beauty filters have become. I personally use filters occasionally when taking photos with friends because they can make pictures look more attractive. However, after learning about concepts such as “Instagram Face” and “Snapchat Dysmorphia”, I realised that constantly seeing filtered images may slowly change our expectations of what a normal face should look like.

In my opinion, AR filters are not inherently harmful. They can be fun, creative, and useful for self-expression. The problem occurs when people begin comparing themselves to unrealistic filtered versions of others or even themselves. Social media users should be aware that filters are digital enhancements rather than reality.

References

Rettberg, J.W. (2014) Seeing Ourselves Through Technology. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Rajanala, S., Maymone, M.B.C. and Vashi, N.A. (2018) ‘Selfies—Living in the Era of Filtered Photographs’, JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, 20(6), pp. 443–444.

Miller, L. (2022) Augmented Reality (AR) Filters. Week 9 Lecture Slides, Swinburne University.

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Week 8 Reflection: Social Media, Microcelebrities and Body Image

This week’s lecture explored how social media platforms, especially Instagram, have influenced body image and the way people present themselves online. One of the most interesting concepts was “microcelebrity,” which refers to ordinary social media users who create and maintain a personal brand in order to gain visibility, followers, and influence online.

The lecture explained that becoming visible on social media often requires users to follow certain “aesthetic templates.” These templates include specific poses, fashion styles, body shapes, facial features, and editing techniques that are commonly seen among influencers. For example, female influencers often emphasise features such as lips, waistlines, and facial symmetry, while male influencers are more likely to present athleticism, strength, and dominance. These visual standards can influence how people perceive themselves and others.

I found the discussion about aesthetic labour particularly interesting. Before this lecture, I never considered how much effort people invest in creating an online identity. Taking photos, editing images, choosing outfits, following trends, and maintaining a personal brand all require significant time and energy. Social media users are not only consumers of content but also producers who continuously work on their online image.

Another important issue discussed was body image dissatisfaction and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Social media often presents idealised and heavily edited versions of reality, making it difficult for users to distinguish between achievable and unrealistic standards. As a result, some individuals may become dissatisfied with their appearance and seek cosmetic procedures in an attempt to match online beauty ideals.

This topic made me reflect on my own social media habits. It is easy to compare ourselves with influencers and assume their appearance reflects reality. However, many online images are carefully curated, edited, and designed to attract attention. Instead of comparing ourselves to these unrealistic standards, it is important to recognise that social media content is often constructed for visibility and engagement.

Overall, this lecture helped me better understand the relationship between social media, identity, and public health. While social media can provide opportunities for self-expression and connection, it can also contribute to unhealthy body image expectations. Greater awareness of these issues may help users engage with social media in a healthier and more critical way.

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“Hashtag Activism: Can a Hashtag Really Change Society?”

✊ #BlackLivesMatter ✊ #MeToo ✊ #StopAsianHate

Today, hashtags are no longer just used to categorize posts online. They have become powerful tools for activism, awareness and political engagement. Before this week’s lecture, I mainly saw hashtags as trends or social media features. However, learning about hashtag publics and digital citizenship completely changed my perspective on how online activism functions in modern society.

One of the key concepts discussed this week was the idea of “hashtag publics.” According to Bruns and Burgess, hashtags help form digital communities around shared issues, experiences and conversations. They organise public discussions online and allow people from different parts of the world to participate in collective conversations instantly.

Social media platforms such as Twitter/X, Instagram and TikTok have transformed political participation by allowing ordinary users to publicly share opinions, experiences and support for social causes.

📱 In many ways, hashtags have become digital gathering spaces.

For example, the #BlackLivesMatter movement became one of the largest online activist movements in recent years. What began as a hashtag evolved into a global conversation about racism, police brutality and systemic inequality. Similarly, #MeToo created a space for survivors of sexual harassment and assault to share their experiences publicly.

I think one reason hashtag activism feels powerful is because it allows personal experiences to become visible on a massive scale.

The lecture discussed how digital citizenship involves participating responsibly within society using digital technologies. Mossberger et al. (2008) describe digital citizenship as participation and engagement within communities through digital platforms. This suggests that political engagement today is no longer limited to voting or joining political organisations.

Instead, digital citizenship increasingly includes:

sharing information

raising awareness

participating in online campaigns

discussing political issues online

supporting activist movements through digital platforms

Research by Theocharis et al. (2023) also explains that political engagement on social media includes activities such as sharing petitions, following political figures, commenting on political posts and forwarding news online.

Personally, I think social media has made activism feel more accessible to younger generations.

In the past, political participation often required joining organisations, attending events or engaging in formal political systems. Today, social media allows people to participate in conversations immediately through posts, hashtags and online campaigns.

🌍 However, this also raises important questions.

Can hashtag activism create real social change, or is it sometimes performative?

Many people criticize “slacktivism,” where users repost hashtags or black squares online without taking meaningful action offline. During movements such as #BlackLivesMatter, some companies and influencers posted supportive content online while failing to make actual changes within their organisations.

This made me think about the difference between visibility and action.

While hashtags can spread awareness extremely quickly, awareness alone may not always solve structural social problems. At the same time, online visibility can still be incredibly important because it gives marginalized communities opportunities to share experiences that traditional media may ignore.

Another interesting point from the lecture was platformisation.

Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Twitter are not neutral spaces. Algorithms influence which content becomes visible, viral or ignored. This means social media companies indirectly shape political discussions online.

For example, certain activist movements may trend globally while others receive little visibility depending on platform algorithms, moderation systems or audience engagement patterns.

💭 Overall, this week’s lecture showed me that hashtags are much more than simple social media tools. They create digital publics where political discussions, activism and identity formation occur online. Social media has transformed how people engage with social issues and participate in public conversations.

Although hashtag activism has limitations, it has undeniably changed how modern activism operates.

In today’s digital world, even a hashtag can become a political movement.

📚 References Bruns, A. & Burgess, J. research on hashtag publics and online activism. Mossberger, K., Tolbert, C. & McNeal, R. (2008) Digital Citizenship and Participation. Theocharis, Y. et al. (2023) Political engagement on social media.

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“Can Social Media Ever Be Sustainable?”

👗 “Buy now before it sells out.”

This is probably one of the most common phrases we see online today. Every time I scroll through TikTok or Instagram, I am constantly exposed to fashion hauls, trend videos, influencer promotions and “must-have” items. Social media has transformed fashion into a fast-moving digital culture where trends appear and disappear within days.

This week’s lecture about digital citizenship and slow fashion made me realise how deeply social media shapes consumer behaviour and how online culture contributes to environmental and ethical problems within the fashion industry.

🌱 One of the key concepts discussed this week was “slow fashion”.

Slow fashion refers to fashion practices that prioritize sustainability, ethical labour and environmental responsibility rather than mass production and rapid consumption. According to Chi et al. (2021), slow fashion is “built on the essential concepts of sustainability values, ethical working conditions and decreasing environmental contaminants.” This directly contrasts with fast fashion brands that rely on cheap labour, rapid production cycles and disposable trends.

What I found most shocking was the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

According to research mentioned in the lecture, the fashion industry contributes approximately 10% of global carbon emissions and produces enormous levels of industrial water pollution. In addition, millions of tons of unwanted clothing are discarded into landfills every year. Brands such as H&M and Burberry have even faced criticism for destroying unsold clothing to maintain exclusivity and keep up with trend cycles.

This made me reflect on how social media platforms contribute to overconsumption culture.

📱 Platforms like TikTok encourage constant trend participation through algorithms that repeatedly push viral aesthetics, fashion hauls and influencer recommendations. Consumers are encouraged to continuously purchase new clothing in order to remain fashionable online.

Research by Vromen (2017) suggests that social media has helped develop “new citizen norms and identities” based on personalization and sharing. This idea became very relevant to me because fashion content online often encourages people to express identity through endless consumption.

In many ways, fashion has become part of digital identity performance.

Another important concept discussed in the lecture was digital citizenship.

Digital citizenship is not only about online safety or appropriate online behaviour. It also involves participating responsibly within digital communities and understanding the social consequences of digital activities. Mossberger et al. (2008) define digital citizenship as the ability to participate meaningfully within society using digital technologies.

This connects strongly to slow fashion activism.

✨ Influencers such as Tiffany Ferguson and Venetia La Manna use social media platforms to educate audiences about ethical consumption, sustainability and labour exploitation in the fashion industry. Unlike traditional influencers who encourage excessive shopping, slow fashion creators attempt to reshape consumer awareness through educational content, thrift culture and sustainable lifestyle practices.

I think this demonstrates how social media can function both negatively and positively at the same time.

On one hand, influencer culture contributes to overconsumption and unrealistic lifestyle expectations. On the other hand, digital platforms also provide opportunities for activism, education and awareness campaigns.

One concept I found particularly interesting was “corporate citizenship.”

Today, many brands attempt to market themselves as environmentally conscious companies because audiences increasingly value sustainability. However, this has also led to the rise of “greenwashing,” where companies appear ethical in advertisements without making meaningful changes to their production practices.

For example, brands may release “eco collections” while continuing exploitative labour practices and mass production elsewhere in their supply chains.

Personally, this week’s lecture changed the way I think about fashion content online. Before learning about slow fashion, I rarely considered where clothes came from, how they were produced or why social media constantly pressures people to consume more.

🌍 Overall, this topic showed me that digital citizenship extends far beyond posting responsibly online. It also involves ethical consumption, critical thinking and understanding how digital platforms influence our values and behaviours. Social media may accelerate consumer culture, but it also has the power to encourage awareness and positive social change.

Maybe being fashionable today is not about buying the newest trend — but learning how to consume more consciously.

📚 References Chi, T., Zheng, Y. & Liu, H. (2021) research on sustainable fashion and environmental responsibility. Mossberger, K., Tolbert, C. & McNeal, R. (2008) Digital Citizenship and Participation. Vromen, A. (2017) Digital Citizenship and Political Engagement.

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Reality TV, Digital Publics and Online Fandoms

✨ “Reality TV is trash”… but why is everyone still watching it?

This week’s lecture about digital communities and fandoms completely changed the way I think about reality television. Before this class, I honestly saw reality TV as nothing more than entertainment designed for drama and gossip. But after learning about digital publics, fandom culture and participatory audiences, I realised reality TV actually plays a much bigger role in online culture than I expected.

📺 From MAFS to The Bachelor and The Voice, reality television has become deeply connected to social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Twitter/X and Tumblr. People no longer just “watch” reality TV — they actively participate in it online.

One of the most interesting concepts from this week was the idea of the “digital public sphere”. Traditionally, the public sphere referred to spaces where people discuss important social and political issues. Today, these discussions happen online through hashtags, comment sections and fandom communities.

For example, hashtags like #MAFS often become spaces where audiences debate topics such as:

toxic relationships

sexism

gender expectations

cheating

marriage culture

emotional manipulation

What surprised me is that reality TV discussions often become discussions about real society.

🔥 Reality TV fandoms are also examples of participatory culture.

Instead of being passive viewers, fans now:

create memes

post reaction videos

write theories

defend contestants

“cancel” reality stars

build online communities

Social media allows audiences to feel emotionally connected to contestants, even though they are strangers. This creates what the lecture described as a sense of imagined intimacy.

Honestly… I see this all the time on TikTok.

People talk about reality TV contestants as if they personally know them. Fans become emotionally invested in relationships and conflicts, while contestants gain followers, sponsorships and influencer careers after the show ends.

But there is also a darker side.

⚠️ Because reality TV stars are seen as “ordinary people”, audiences often forget they are still real human beings. Online hate, cyberbullying and harassment have become extremely common in reality TV fandoms. Shows like Married at First Sight regularly trend online because viewers aggressively attack contestants they dislike.

This made me think about digital citizenship and online responsibility.

Just because social media allows us to comment on everything doesn’t mean we should.

Another thing I found really interesting was Tumblr’s role as a fandom platform. Unlike Instagram or Facebook, Tumblr allows niche communities to grow through shared interests rather than popularity alone. Fans use Tumblr to create edits, GIF sets, fan discussions and safe spaces for identity expression.

I think this explains why fandom culture feels so powerful online today. People are no longer limited by geography — communities now form through shared emotions, interests and media experiences.

💭 Overall, this week helped me realise that reality TV is not “just entertainment.” It creates digital publics, shapes online conversations and influences how people interact socially online. Social media has completely transformed audiences from viewers into participants.

And honestly… maybe reality TV survives because people don’t just watch the drama anymore.

They become part of it.