Shannon Lee

[shannonlyn20]

Hello everyone! I'm Shannon, and welcome to my blog ✨

I'll be sharing opinions and discussions about my adventures with MDA20009 (Digital Communities).

This blog is dedicated to all things related to this unit, so stay tuned for some interesting content. “Portions of this site and the works within it are being produced with the intention of critique and/or educational use under Australia's 'fair dealing' exceptions to copyright (Section 40 & 41). However, if you feel your IP is being infringed, please contact my service provider (Tumblr) with the appropriate DMCA requests, as I, the single author take full responsibility for the content of this site.”

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🔥 From Tragedy to Togetherness 🚨 Compassion, Clicks & Collective Action

Week 12 – Crowdsourcing in Times of Crisis Hey digital citizens 🧠📲 This week, we’re shifting from hashtags to helping hands, exploring how communities mobilise during disaster. When a crisis strikes, whether it’s an earthquake, flood, or a gas pipeline explosion, people don’t just wait for help. They become the help. After the devastating fire explosion in Putra Heights in April 2025, Malaysians came together in a powerful show of unity, turning to donation based crowdfunding to offer help, hope and healing when it was needed most. So… what happens when a community rallies not just to spread awareness, but to raise money, coordinate aid, and build hope? 💡 Let’s dive in. 🔎 🌍 What Is Crowdsourcing?

Crowdsourcing refers to the practice of gathering services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, especially from online communities, rather than from traditional employees or suppliers. It’s a strategy rooted in collective intelligence, a digital form of community-powered problem-solving. This method becomes especially powerful during crisis events, where time, transparency, and trust are crucial. Whether it's mapping disaster zones, organising resources, or raising emergency funds, crowdsourcing turns bystanders into contributors. In the digital age, donation based crowdfunding has emerged as one of the most effective forms of crowdsourcing during disasters. Social media platforms become rallying points for emotional appeals, transparent fund collection, and rapid mobilisation of aid (Chugh, 2018). 💥 Putra Heights Gas Explosion: A Nation Shaken

On April 1, 2025, a devastating explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya sent shockwaves, literally and emotionally, through Malaysia. Caused by a leak in a gas pipeline under the Trans Peninsular Gas Utilisation (PGU) system, the blast tore through residential areas, damaging 237 houses and 365 vehicles and injuring over 300 residents. 🔥 Temperatures soared to 1,000°C, and videos of the flames spread across social media within minutes. 🚑 Temporary shelters, hospitals, and community halls became critical response points. 🚛 Brands like Airbnb, Chery Malaysia, and Carro stepped in with temporary aid. 🏫 Education and housing ministries coordinated relief efforts, providing funds, school support, and replacement digital devices. 👑 Even the Yang di-Pertuan Agong visited victims, underlining the magnitude of the tragedy. The economic loss was estimated at over RM1 billion, encompassing physical destruction, property value losses, and disrupted livelihoods (Aira Jailani, 2025). What’s remarkable? The public’s response. Donations, both large and small, poured in through digital platforms, highlighting how citizen powered crowdfunding filled urgent aid gaps quickly. 🤝 Crowdfunding Compassion: Community in Action The Putra Heights case reflects a growing pattern in disaster recovery: people no longer wait for help, they fund it themselves.

🕌 In Malaysia, Islamic Relief Malaysia plays a significant role in ethical crisis fundraising through digital platforms. Their official crowdfunding tools KitaFund and LaunchGood are built to ensure transparency, community trust, and Shariah-compliant financial practices.

🔹 KitaFund is a secure donation-based crowdfunding (DCF) platform designed to protect both donors and recipients. It ensures that funds are channelled directly to verified causes and keeps donations safe from fraud by maintaining transparency throughout the campaign lifecycle.

🔹 LaunchGood, while global in reach, is widely used in Malaysia and focuses on empowering the Muslim community through carefully vetted and impactful campaigns. It combines digital convenience with rigorous due diligence to maintain donor confidence.

These platforms are not only technologically sound but also culturally aligned, which helps boost donor trust and engagement during urgent fundraising situations such as disaster relief (Kamaruddin et al., 2023). Another study reveals that Malaysians are driven by:

Personal emotional connection

Social proof (e.g. friends sharing a campaign)

Clarity and trust in the cause (Kamarudin et al., 2023)

Additionally, social media engagement strategy is key. According to Velivela et al. (2022), campaigns that include:

Authentic storytelling

Visual updates

Influencer amplification ...are far more successful in raising funds quickly during disasters.

This trend isn’t limited to Malaysia. During the Nepal Earthquake (2015), the Facebook page Victorians Stand Together for Nepal raised over half a million AUD within days. Transparency, emotional visuals, and continuous updates inspired thousands, even those far from the crisis zone, to take part (Chugh, 2018). 🛠️ Building Beyond Relief: What Happens Next? The explosion exposed weaknesses in enforcement and monitoring of strategic infrastructure, including gas pipelines. The tragedy revealed a need for better inter-agency collaboration, transparent land governance, and an integrated monitoring approach using drones, AI and community engagement. This isn’t just about relief, it’s about resilience. Crowdsourcing efforts should be coupled with:

Public education on disaster risks

Digital access to aid platforms

Transparent reporting and updates

Ongoing collaboration between citizens and authorities

💡 Final Thoughts The Putra Heights tragedy proved two things: 1️⃣ Infrastructure must be safeguarded with better governance. 2️⃣ The people, connected, informed and mobilised are powerful. Crowdsourcing is not just a buzzword. It’s how we fund futures, heal communities and transform tragedy into unity. When governments, platforms, and citizens come together, hope doesn’t just survive, it thrives.

So next time disaster strikes, remember: a single share or donation might rebuild a home, save a life, or restore a sense of normalcy. Let’s keep showing up, not just for ourselves, but for each other 💗 Stay kind, stay connected 💛 Thanks for reading, Best regards Until next time 💗 References  Aris, A., 2025. Take an integrated approach to safeguarding strategic assets. The Edge, p.52. Chugh, R., 2018. Disaster fundraising via social media: A case study of non-resident Nepalese community in Australia. WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development, 14, pp.636-642. Islamic Relief Malaysia | Think HUMANITY, Think ISLAMIC RELIEF! (2021). Our Platforms | Islamic Relief Malaysia. [online] Available at: https://islamic-relief.org.my/our-platforms/ [Accessed 13 Jun. 2025]. Kamarudin, M.K., Mohamad Norzilan, N.I., Mustaffa, F.N.A., Khidzir, M., Alma’amun, S., Nor Muhamad, N.H., Abu-Hussin, M.F., Noor Zainan, N.I., Abdullah, A.H. and Samat-Darawi, A.B., 2023. Why do donors donate? A study on donation-based crowdfunding in Malaysia. Sustainability, 15(5), p.4301. Kamaruddin, M.I.H., Muhamed, N.A., Radzi, R.M., Nazarie, W.N.F.W.M. and Kamarubahrin, A.F., 2023. Financial management practices in Islamic donation-based crowdfunding (DCF) platforms in Malaysia. Future Business Journal, 9(1), p.32. RojakDaily. (2019). Putra Heights Fire: Timeline & Updates on the Gas Pipeline Explosion That Shook the Nation. [online] Available at: https://gempak.com/rojakdaily/news/putra-heights-fire-timeline-updates-gas-pipeline-explosion-shook-nation-97471. Velivela, V., Raj, C., Tiwana, M.S., Prasanna, R., Samarawickrama, M. and Prasad, M., 2022. The Effectiveness of Social Media Engagement Strategy on Disaster Fundraising. arXiv preprint arXiv:2210.11322.

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🛑 Power, Platforms & Participation in the Age of Digital Citizenship

Week 11 – Social Media Governance & Conflict Hey digital citizens 👥🌐 This week, we're digging into the tough side of the internet,  conflict, control, and who gets to speak. While social media platforms connect billions, they’re also battlegrounds for misinformation, harassment, and power struggles over what content stays and what gets deleted. Let’s explore how digital citizenship is being reshaped by platform governance, algorithmic moderation, and the fight for accountability online. 🔧 What Is Social Media Governance? Social media governance refers to the formal and informal systems by which platforms manage content, users, and conduct. This includes platform rules, algorithmic moderation, terms of service, and even national laws. It’s not just about who posts what ,  it’s about who controls the spaces where we express ourselves (Gorwa, 2019).

This governance happens at multiple levels:

Macro (governments + global policy)

Meso (platform-level enforcement & algorithms)

Micro (moderation within communities like Facebook groups or Subreddits)

But here’s the catch: platforms often balance their commercial interests with vague commitments to public safety. That leaves major gaps in accountability and fairness. 🤖 Algorithms as Moderators Content moderation has shifted from human decision-making to algorithmic systems,  which are fast but deeply flawed. These automated tools scan for flagged terms, facial features, or behavior patterns, but they often lack context and nuance, leading to wrongful bans or missed harm (Gorwa, Binns & Katzenbach, 2020). Key concerns include:

Bias in training data (e.g., content in non-English languages gets overlooked)

Lack of transparency: Users rarely know why content is removed or flagged

Scale over sensitivity: Moderation at speed often sacrifices accuracy

Platforms argue they’re doing their best. Critics say they’re doing just enough to avoid regulation. 💥 Conflict & Digital Citizenship While digital communities are often viewed as utopias of sharing and inclusion, conflict reveals deeper issues:

Power over speech and visibility

Commercial vs. public interest

Exclusion of marginalised voices This is where digital citizenship becomes political ,  it’s not just about participating, but also about resisting, challenging, and governing the online spaces we inhabit. 📌 Case Studies of Platform Conflict & Governance 1. YouTube’s Ban on Russian State Media (2022)

In March 2022, YouTube took the dramatic step of blocking RT and Sputnik,  state-funded Russian media outlets ,  not just in Europe, but globally. This move came after accusations that these channels were spreading misinformation and propaganda about the war in Ukraine. YouTube said Russia’s invasion violated its violent events policy and it would remove content that “minimizes or trivializes well-documented violent events.” Ads in Russia were also fully paused. Google employees had reportedly pressured the company to take stronger action, citing disinformation about civilian deaths and Ukrainian leadership. Content that denied or minimized this violent event was removed, and monetization for Russian users was suspended across all formats. The ban wasn’t just about content,  it was a bold governance decision. YouTube faced internal pressure from its own employees to address Russian disinformation and protect global audiences from war-related propaganda. However, Russia condemned the move as censorship, calling it “an atrocious attack on freedom of the press.” This case illustrates how platforms must navigate geopolitical tensions, free speech debates, and ethical responsibility during global crises. It also highlights the power of platforms as gatekeepers of information, and the challenges of content moderation during war. 2. Russia’s Weaponisation of Platforms for Propaganda Social media has become a digital battlefield. Russia’s efforts to manipulate online discourse go beyond hacking,  they involve a coordinated network of trolls, bots, and media outlets like RT and Sputnik to shape narratives and disrupt democratic discourse. According to intelligence reports, Russia used these tools to spread confusion, divide public opinion, and erode trust in Western institutions. This was seen clearly during the 2016 US election, where Russian operatives used social media to target voters with manipulated content. These strategies, often called computational propaganda, show how platforms can be weaponised in geopolitical conflicts (Woolley & Howard, 2018). 3. TikTok and COVID-19 Misinformation

TikTok launched fact-check labels and removed false claims during the pandemic,  but its impact was limited. Research found that moderation varied widely by country and topic (Krishnan et al., 2021). Misinformation slipped through, especially in non-English content, showing how platform governance fails to adapt globally. 🚨 Online Harassment & Platform Responsibility Online harassment is a major failure of platform governance. It includes:

Doxxing, cyberstalking, and image-based abuse

Networked harassment (Gamergate, manosphere targeting of feminists)

Disproportionate targeting of women, LGBTQ+ people, and people of colour

Research shows 59% of girls globally have been targeted with abuse online. Many legal systems are only now catching up, such as Australia’s Online Safety Act 2021, which compels platforms to remove harmful content within 24 hours. ⚖️ What Can Be Done? 📜 Legal Solutions

Stronger data protection & online abuse laws

Transparency mandates for algorithms

Faster takedown procedures enforced by government bodies

🎭 Humour & Satire

Used as a soft power tool ,  memes and parody can expose performative CSR or regulatory failures

Virality helps spread awareness without “lecture vibes”

📣 Advocacy & Digital Literacy

Promoting user education on misinformation, privacy, and safe online engagement

Campaigns that empower users, especially youth, to engage critically

Amplifying voices of marginalised communities affected by platform failures

🧠 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Brands must protect the influencers they work with

CSR shouldn’t just be about image ,  it must include policies, support systems, and transparency

📚 What the Research Says

Governance is most effective when users trust platforms and feel their voices matter (Tyler et al., 2021).

Yet trust erodes when platforms prioritize profit and scale over safety and inclusion.

Real accountability will require cross-sector cooperation ,  platforms, regulators, users, and civil society. 💡 Final Thoughts

Social media is more than memes and messages,  it’s a space of power, politics, and governance. Social media governance isn’t just about policies ,  it’s about people. Every day, billions of users interact in spaces that are loosely governed, algorithmically moderated, and profit-driven. Good governance means more than deleting bad posts. It means transparency, justice, and accountability ,  and it starts with us demanding better systems, smarter laws, and ethical technology. As platforms grow more powerful, so must our capacity to hold them accountable. Let’s not just be users ,  let’s be architects of a better digital future. So the question is: who governs your feed?

#GovernYourFeed Thanks for reading, Best regards Until next time 💗 References Gorwa, R., 2019. What is platform governance?. Information, communication & society, 22(6), pp.854-871. Gorwa, R., Binns, R. and Katzenbach, C., 2020. Algorithmic content moderation: Technical and political challenges in the automation of platform governance. Big Data & Society, 7(1), p.2053951719897945. Krishnan, N., Gu, J., Tromble, R. and Abroms, L.C., 2021. Research note: Examining how various social media platforms have responded to COVID-19 misinformation. Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review, 2(6), pp.1-25. Woolley, S.C. and Howard, P.N. eds., 2018. Computational propaganda: Political parties, politicians, and political manipulation on social media. Oxford University Press. YouTube blocks Russian state-funded media channels globally. (2022). The Guardian. [online] 11 Mar. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/mar/11/youtube-blocks-russian-state-funded-media.

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✨ Faces, Filters & Fabricated Realities

WEEK 9 – Digital Citizenship Case Study: Software Literacy and Instagram Filters 🪞 Filtered Reality: How AR Rewires Our Face and Feed Welcome back, digital explorers. This week we’re zooming in on our faces, literally. Ever opened Instagram, flipped on a filter, and thought: "Wow, I actually like this version of me better"? You’re not alone. Augmented Reality (AR) filters have become part of everyday self-expression, whether you’re smoothing skin, reshaping your nose, or adding sparkle to your selfies. Augmented Reality (AR) filters, especially beauty filters on Instagram, have become part of our daily scroll. But what are they really doing to our self-image, and what does this say about our digital literacy?

AR filters might look like harmless enhancements, but they’re deeply tied to algorithmic culture and platform politics. Most of us engage passively with them, sliding on a filter like lip gloss. But what’s behind the tech? Who designs these filters? And how are they shaping our identities? 📲 #FixYourFace and Algorithmic Beauty

Spark AR, Instagram’s in-house AR tool, allows creators to design face filters, everything from glitter freckles to full-on jawline surgery simulations. These filters subtly (or not-so-subtly) enforce Western beauty standards, blending Eurocentric features with smoothed skin and sharpened cheekbones. Creators have caused debates not only for their aesthetic, but also for questioning the assumptions that support beautification culture. The #FixYourFace movement criticises these unrealistic ideals and the software that supports them, questioning why filters are intended to "fix" rather than celebrate diversity (Isakowitsch, 2022).

🧠 Filter Fluency: Why Digital Literacy Matters More Than Ever While filters are fun, understanding their deeper implications requires digital literacy, knowing not just how to use tech, but how to evaluate, critique, and create responsibly (Burrows, 2023). Digital literacy in the age of Extended Reality (XR, including AR) must go beyond technical skills. Their XR–DL framework introduces eight dimensions of digital literacy: access, evaluation, ethics, collaboration, creation, civic engagement, problem-solving, and interaction. Yet, most users engage with AR at the level of passive consumption, not critical creation (Chang et. al., 2023).

👀 Snapchat Dysmorphia and the Rise of Ambient Filtering Filters aren’t always obvious anymore. We’ve moved from puppy ears to ambient filters, subtle edits that make us look “naturally perfect.” The catch? We know we’re filtered, but we still judge ourselves against the filtered version. This creates a weird space where images are both “real” and “not actual.” The pressure is ambient, constant, and, most concerning, normalized. Researchers now warn of “Snapchat dysmorphia,” where people seek surgery to look like their filtered selves (Isakowitsch, 2022). ⚖️ Tech Meets Ethics: Legislation, Activism, and Gender Bias Filters are often gendered. Girls and women tend to use them to look “prettier” and more “flawless,” while boys often use them for humor or entertainment. These aesthetic templates reinforce harmful norms. And in a world where kids as young as 10 know how they’re “supposed to look,” we have to ask: Are we setting them up for self-acceptance, or identity dissonance? 🚀 The Future of Filters: GANs, AI & XR Education Newer filters are powered by GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks), making them hyper-realistic and harder to detect. XR technology also holds massive educational potential, especially when paired with project based learning and digital ethics (Chang et. al., 2023). In fact, AR isn’t just a beauty tool, it’s an educational one. Research shows AR and XR technologies can help users build digital literacy by offering immersive, interactive, and problem solving experiences (Chang et. al., 2023). However, in practice, most applications are still limited to consumption rather than creation. Similarly, AR filters are not neutral tools. They function as identity shaping technologies, reinforcing platform based pressures for idealized self-presentation (Sinlapanuntakul et. al., 2024). 💡 Final Thoughts Filters aren’t just about fun or aesthetics, they’re shaping how we see ourselves, others, and the digital world. With the rise of ambient filtering, GAN-based face edits, and AR-enhanced “perfection,” it's easy to forget what’s real. That’s why software literacy matters. Digital citizenship in the era of AR isn’t just about using technology, it’s about understanding it. That means knowing when a filter makes you feel “less than,” why certain beauty ideals dominate, and how you can resist, remix, or reframe the narrative. So next time you post that filtered selfie, ask yourself: is this me, or is this the algorithm talking? Stay curious and critical 💬📱 Thanks for reading, Best regards Until next time 💗 References: Burrows, E., 2023. Sharing in the Echo Chamber: Examining Instagram Users' Engagement with Infographics through the Frame of Digital Literacy. Journal of Information Literacy, 17(1), pp.29-47. Chang, C.Y., Kuo, H.C. and Du, Z., 2023. The role of digital literacy in augmented, virtual, and mixed reality in popular science education: a review study and an educational framework development. Virtual Reality, 27(3), pp.2461-2479. Isakowitsch, C., 2022, December. How augmented reality beauty filters can affect self-perception. In Irish Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science (pp. 239-250). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. Sinlapanuntakul, P. and Zachry, M., 2024, June. Augmenting Self-presentation: Augmented Reality (AR) Filters Use Among Young Adults. In International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (pp. 93-105). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.

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📲 Filter Me Not: Body Image & Digital Identity on Social Media

WEEK 8 – Body Modification on Visual Social Media 👁️‍🗨️ Mirror, Mirror on the Feed… Hey digital fam ✨ This week, we’re peeling back the filters to talk about something real, how social media shapes our body image, self-worth, and health. On platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the body has become both a canvas and a commodity, edited, perfected, and performed. Whether it’s face-slimming filters, “glow-up” transitions, or the endless parade of #BodyGoals, our feeds have become flooded with curated versions of beauty. But at what cost? 💄 Filters, Dysmorphia & Digital Templates Apps like Instagram and TikTok normalize edited beauty, smoothed skin, plumped lips, sharpened jawlines, encouraging users to chase a fantasy. These aesthetic templates promote hyper-feminine or hyper-masculine ideals that may be unattainable in real life. The constant exposure to these edited visuals can cause a disconnect between the digital self and the physical self, a tension known as identity dissonance.

Upward comparison to idealized Instagram models can cause lower confidence and increased body dissatisfaction, especially among young women who score high on physical appearance perfectionism. These individuals are more vulnerable because they tend to ruminate and catastrophize after comparing themselves with idealized images, which amplifies negative body image (McComb & Mills, 2021). Even active engagement, like commenting on photos of an attractive peer can worsen state body image. In one study, young women who interacted with a peer they perceived as more attractive on social media reported significantly lower body satisfaction compared to those who interacted with a family member (Hogue & Mills, 2019). The emotional impact of engaging with idealized peer content is not just about passive scrolling, it’s participatory, and that makes it more personal and potentially harmful. This dissonance can contribute to conditions like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), where individuals obsess over perceived flaws, often tied to appearance standards circulated on social media. And while cosmetic filters may seem harmless, overuse can diminish self-esteem and distort self-perception, especially in youth (Mustapha et al., 2025).

📱 Malaysian Youth & Body Image Pressures

In the Malaysian context, the effects are very real. A recent study found a negative correlation between social media usage and body image evaluation among Malaysian youth, meaning the more time young people spend on social platforms, the worse they tend to feel about their bodies (Emir & Ma’rof, 2024). This is especially concerning for adolescent girls, who are not only exposed to idealized beauty but often compare themselves to influencers and peers with edited or surgically enhanced looks. Maladaptive coping strategies like rumination and catastrophizing worsen the emotional effects of these comparisons (McComb & Mills, 2021). Young people are especially vulnerable to peer comparison and filtered perfection, leading to harmful behaviors like disordered eating, low self-confidence, and obsessive editing. These platforms aren’t just mirrors, they’re magnifying glasses that distort our reflection. ⚖️ #BodyGoals vs. #BodyPositivity

For every #BodyGoals post showing sculpted abs or snatched waists, there’s a growing counter-movement: #BodyPositivity. This movement, rooted in inclusivity, self-love, and acceptance, pushes back against perfection culture and instead celebrates diverse bodies. However, even body positivity has its limits. The movement has been commercialized, and often centers around bodies that are still conventionally attractive. True body positivity must go beyond marketing, it must challenge beauty norms and support mental health (Cohen et al., 2021). Still, when done right, social media can offer a platform for healing and empowerment, where users, especially marginalized ones, share unfiltered stories and redefine beauty on their terms. 🧠 Final Thoughts: Filters Can’t Hide Everything In our hyper-visual digital world, bodies are often seen more than heard. And when every “before” is followed by a flawless “after,” it’s easy to forget that our worth isn’t measured by filters, followers, or flawless selfies. Personality traits like perfectionism influence how we process and internalize idealized images. Those who strive for flawless appearance are more likely to feel inadequate and engage in self-critical thought patterns after social comparison (McComb & Mills, 2021). Active participation, like commenting on a peer’s polished photo, can feel interactive — but may deepen body dissatisfaction, especially when comparing to idealized or edited versions of real people (Hogue & Mills, 2019). The challenge ahead is not just recognizing unrealistic beauty standards, but actively reshaping the digital landscape to be more inclusive, honest, and compassionate. We need better media literacy, stronger mental health resources, and health campaigns that don’t just sell the aesthetic, but nurture the person behind it. 💬 So, next time you see a “perfect” post, pause and ask: Who defines perfection? And what part of you is already enough? Thanks for reading, Best regards Until next time 💗 References: Arrif Emir, W.E.M. and Ma’rof, A.A. (2024). The Role of Body Image Perception, Social Media Influence, and Physical Activity on Eating Behavior among Malaysian Youth. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(12). doi: https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v14-i12/24014. Cohen, R., Newton-John, T. and Slater, A., 2021. The case for body positivity on social media: Perspectives on current advances and future directions. Journal of health psychology, 26(13), pp.2365-2373. Hogue, J.V. and Mills, J.S., 2019. The effects of active social media engagement with peers on body image in young women. Body image, 28, pp.1-5. McComb, S.E. and Mills, J.S., 2021. Young women’s body image following upwards comparison to Instagram models: The role of physical appearance perfectionism and cognitive emotion regulation. Body image, 38, pp.49-62. Mustapha, J.C., Abd Rahman, H.A., Radzi, A.H.F., Abdullah, M. and Sulaiman, N.I.S., 2025. Development and Evaluation of a Survey Instrument: Investigating the Influence of Social Media on Body Image Perception among Adolescents in Malaysian Public Boarding Schools. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, 15(2).

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📸 Influencers & the Slow Fashion Movement

WEEK 7 – Digital Citizenship Case Study: Social Media Influencers and the Slow Fashion Movement

🌿 Rewriting Fashion, One Post at a Time Hey digital fam 💚 This week, we’re talking slow fashion and how the influencer economy is stitching sustainability into our feeds and closets. Forget fast fashion hauls. Think rewearing, repurposing, and rethinking what it means to consume clothes consciously. 🧵 What Is Slow Fashion, Really? Slow fashion is the widespread reaction to fast fashion, a concept rooted in the broader “slow movement,” which advocates for mindful, respectful manufacturing that values people, the environment and animals. It’s not just about clothes, it’s about VALUES. At its core, slow fashion identifies sustainable fashion solutions by rethinking how clothes are designed, produced, consumed, used, and reused. It challenges the global fashion system by introducing alternative models that promote ethics over exploitation and longevity over landfill. It encompasses the entire spectrum of sustainable, eco, green and ethical fashion approaches. In other words, slow fashion is an alternative to fast fashion that promotes a more ethical and sustainable way of living and consuming. This includes advocating for transparency, reducing overproduction and creating long-lasting garments, all while slowing down rampant consumerism and prioritizing environmental care.

Grounded in the 1960s counterculture and revived through anti-sweatshop and ethical consumption campaigns, slow fashion emphasizes ethical working conditions, environmentally responsible materials and long-term relationships within the supply chain (Fletcher & Tham, 2015). From thrifted fits to capsule wardrobes, slow fashion is more than just aesthetics, it’s a protest. It’s about asking, “Who made my clothes?” and “What impact did they have on the world?” 🔍 #WhoMadeMyClothes and Fashion Revolution

The Who Made My Clothes campaign by Fashion Revolution is one of the most powerful examples of fashion activism. Inspired by the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse, it calls for transparency in the fashion supply chain. Even students who engaged with the campaign developed a deeper understanding of sustainability and the hidden labor realities in garments, such as how two cotton t-shirts could have vastly different ethical impacts depending on their origins (McBee-Black et.al., 2022). By tagging brands and demanding answers, online communities are forcing the industry to open its seams and show what’s behind the label. ✨ From Influencers to Ethical Role Models Enter the climate influencer. Not just a pretty face in an OOTD, they’re Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), guiding communities on how to live more sustainably. Haastrup & Marshall (2024) show that these influencers come in many forms:

Macro-influencers like Emma Watson and Leonardo DiCaprio use their star power to spotlight global climate issues.

Last Accessed 25 May 2025

Activist influencers like Greta Thunberg post visual protests and participate in climate marches, blending lifestyle with loud resistance.

Last Accessed 25 May 2025

Micro-influencers like @thatcurlytopp share thrifted outfits, zero-waste hacks and “how-to” guides for living ethically with authenticity and emotional engagement as their currency.

Last Accessed 25 May 2025  These influencers build trust by showing not perfection, but intention while admitting when they slip and encouraging followers to take small but meaningful steps. It’s not about guilt, it’s about growth. 📣 The Greta Effect: Youth-Led Visual Climate Activism Greta Thunberg has become an emblem of youth climate resistance, leading not just conversations, but global actions. In 2019, she helped organize the Global Climate Strike, a massive international protest that mobilized young people in over 150 countries. Timed just before the UN Climate Action Summit, the strike became one of the largest climate demonstrations in history and brought attention to issues of intergenerational justice, equity, and environmental urgency (Irfan, 2019).

Greta’s influence has reframed climate discourse, moving it beyond science and policy into emotional, personal, and visual storytelling. Her image with a handmade sign has become iconic, symbolizing youth-led resistance and hope. At the same time, media visuals of climate protests have shifted. Studies show that portrayals have moved away from chaotic, disruptive protest imagery to more positive, hopeful visuals, often featuring young women like Greta holding placards and leading marches (Hayes et.al., 2021). Getty Images, a major provider of editorial visuals, was the dominant source for these portrayals in UK media between 2019–2020. These visual representations helped redefine what protest looks like, not as deviant, but as determined, empathetic and led by the next generation (Hayes et. al., 2021).This transformation in media framing empowers young digital citizens and influencers, showing that a protest sign or a selfie, can carry just as much weight as a speech or a march. 👚 Swipe for Swap: Big Sister Swap, Trust, and Platform-Based Ethics Platforms like Big Sister Swap are reimagining fashion reuse by turning Instagram and other community-driven spaces into hubs for ethical engagement and participatory consumption. Rather than simply promoting resale, these platforms invite users to submit style preferences and exchange curated second-hand clothing in a circular, low-waste system that promotes both sustainability and digital community building. And here’s the twist: it’s not just about what you give up by quitting fast fashion, it’s about what you gain. According to Big Sister Swap, embracing slow fashion can add real joy to your life:

This all reflects a broader shift within the slow fashion movement, one where anti-consumerism and contentment with less become central values, supported by community-led initiatives and online trust networks (Cardoso, 2020). In an industry plagued by greenwashing and vague sustainability claims, slow fashion advocates are increasingly skeptical of large fashion brands. Many seek alternative ways to evaluate a brand’s credibility, from peer recommendations to visible supply chain transparency and consistent ethical practices (Cardoso, 2020). In short, platforms like Big Sister Swap aren’t just offering fashion alternatives, they’re creating ecosystems of shared values, personal growth, and co-created trust. Slow fashion isn’t just about consuming differently, it’s about living differently. 💡 Final Fit Check (Thoughts) Slow fashion is more than just an industry trend. It’s a digital citizenship practice, shaped by ethical choices, platform engagement, and visual storytelling. Whether it’s through educational hashtags like #WhoMadeMyClothes, digital swap platforms, or youth-led climate strikes, the movement is redefining not just how we dress, but how we act. As Greta Thunberg and a generation of climate advocates have shown, fashion and climate justice are intertwined. The clothing we wear carries stories, of labor, of protest, of identity. And in a world on the edge of ecological crisis, these stories have never mattered more. 📢 So ask it loud: #WhoMadeMyClothes? Thanks for reading, Best regards Until next time 💗 References Cardoso, B.L.R.B., 2020. Content with less: A netnographic study on the Slow Fashion online community (Master's thesis, Universidade Catolica Portuguesa (Portugal)). Fletcher, K. and Tham, M. eds., 2015. Routledge handbook of sustainability and fashion (p. 15). London: Routledge. Haastrup, H.K. and Marshall, P.D., 2024. The influencer in the age of climate change: the authentic role model for sustainability. Celebrity Studies, 15(2), pp.160-176. Hayes, S & O’Neill, S., 2021, ‘The Greta effect: Visualising climate protest in UK media and the Getty images collections’, Global Environmental Change, vol. 71, p. 102392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102392 Instagram. (2020). Big Sister Swap on Instagram: ‘Some great advice for making a big lifestyle change such as going vegan or giving up fast fashion is to focus not on what it removes from your life, but what it *adds* to your life! We all know that wearing second-hand means that you’re not contributing to slave labour, and you’re not contributing to the destruction of eco-systems... but what does it bring to your life instead? Here’s our faves! What are yours? . . . #ethicalliving #ethicalfashion #fashionrevolutionweek2022 #clothesswap #swapdontshop #swapping #sizeinclusivefashion #sustainablefashion #sustainablefashionuk #secondhandstyle #secondhand #thrift #thriftedfashion #thriftedfi’. [online] Available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce6U0MjoGiA/?hl=en  [Accessed 25 May 2025]. McBee-Black, K. and Zhao, L., 2022, April. Using Fashion Revolution's Who Made My Clothes Campaign to Introduce Cotton Supply Chain Transparency to Upper-Level Apparel Undergraduates. In International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings (Vol. 78, No. 1). Iowa State University Digital Press. Umair Irfan (2019). Greta Thunberg to lead youth climate strike in 150 countries on Friday. [online] Vox. Available at: https://www.vox.com/2019/9/17/20864740/greta-thunberg-youth-climate-strike-fridays-future.

[shannonlyn20]

📲 Voices in the Feed: Hashtag Publics & the New Digital Citizenship

WEEK 6 – What is Digital Citizenship? Hashtag Publics, Political Engagement and Activism 🔍 Rethinking What It Means to Be a Citizen, Online Welcome back, digital fam 🌐✨ This blog posts, I’m exploring the evolving meaning of citizenship in the digital age, where hashtags aren’t just for trends, they’re tools for activism, visibility and power. In a world shaped by platforms like Instagram, Twitter (X) and TikTok, being a citizen no longer just means voting every few years. Instead, it includes the active participation in online conversations, protests and public discourse, from #BlackLivesMatter to #MeToo to #Lawan. Digital citizenship goes beyond internet literacy, it involves the responsible, informed and engaged participation of individuals in digital environments, enabling people to act socially, politically and culturally across local and global networks (Öztürk, 2021). This participation includes both rights and responsibilities, but it’s also shaped by unequal access and platform constraints. The concept of digital citizenship has changed dramatically over time. While early definitions focused primarily on technological competence and responsible internet use, newer latest perspectives highlight the socio-political, cultural and activist dimensions of digital engagement (Fernández-Prados et al., 2021). Modern digital citizenship includes not only the ability to use technology effectively and safely but also the active, critical and ethical participation in digital communities, from education and self-expression to social justice and citizen action. This shift reflects a broader view of digital life as deeply interconnected with identity, community and global politics (Fernández-Prados et al., 2021). 💬 Hashtag Publics and Narrative Agency Before looking into case studies, let’s talk about what a hashtag really is and why it matters. A hashtag isn't just a simple tag. It works as: 

A social signal

A way to get noticed

A call to action

A type of branding

For businesses and engagement, hashtags help spread content by grouping conversations and communities around shared topics. Studies show that when used well (sometimes even trademarked), hashtags can greatly increase audience interaction. This is especially true for smaller accounts trying to get attention (Kumar et al., 2022). The same idea works for activism:

Hashtags give regular people a voice

They help organize quickly

They create unity in scattered online spaces

✊🏽 #BlackLivesMatter and the Power of Digital Storytelling Let’s talk about #BlackLivesMatter, a global movement that began in 2013 and exploded in 2020, describing police brutality and systemic racism. Hashtag activism like #BLM gives everyday users narrative agency, allowing them to tell their own stories, resist dominant media frames and reclaim visibility in digital spaces (Yang, 2016).

Hashtag publics are informal groups of people who come together to discuss common issues and identities. They do not require formal membership; simply tweet, tag, or post to participate. Hashtags act as linguistic markers for searchability, ambient affiliation and networked protest. Whether it's #FreePalestine, #March4Justice, or #Lawan, these movements show how digital networks connect different content into activist momentum, allowing micro-stories to contribute to macro-change (Yang, 2016). 👩‍🎤 The Politics of Visibility: #likejennie & Platformed Femininity But activism doesn’t always look like marches or mass protests. Let’s take a look at #likejennie, a trend that grew around BLACKPINK’s Jennie, not just as a K-pop idol, but as a symbol of aesthetic empowerment, cool-girl confidence and feminine agency.

This type of “hashtag feminism”, where fans emulate and remix a celebrity’s persona to feel empowered , is part of a wider ecosystem of platformed gender expression. Social media visibility, especially for women and those who present themselves in feminine ways, is shaped by the “authenticity bind”, where users must appear both relatable and aspirational, all while having algorithmic pressures and the gendered gaze (Duffy et al., 2019). What’s powerful about #likejennie is that it blurs the line between fandom and activism, style and self-worth, challenging norms about what counts as feminist or political action in digital space (Duffy et al., 2019). 🗳️ From Voting Booths to TikTok Duets: Youth Engagement Now The 2016 U.S. election and Malaysia’s 15th General Election (GE15) in 2022 highlighted how platform based political engagement impacts democracy itself. Among youth especially, platforms like TikTok have grown as vital spaces for political expression, not through traditional formats like debates or speeches, but via memes, duets, dances and culturally resonant content that connects deeply with peers and emotions (Literat et al., 2023).

Instead of the traditional view that political discussions should be "serious" and "neutral," young people on TikTok express their politics through jokes, strong feelings, personal stories and pop culture (Literat et al., 2023). They can use popular sounds to highlight inequalities or collaborate through shared videos via TikTok allows them to do activism in a fun, group setting. This change represents a larger shift in how people get involved. Long-term political ties (such as union or party affiliations) have faded, replaced by quick, passionate action when issues matter to them. Today's young digital citizens may avoid street protests, but they will turn a leader's speech into a joke or join a viral trend to protest unfair treatment. 🧠 Final Thoughts Digital citizenship is no longer just a fixed title; it refers to changing habits shaped by apps, computer systems and how people participate. In particular, young people are coming up with new ways to communicate, come together and take a stand, from aesthetic resistance on Instagram and TikTok to protest hashtags (Öztürk, 2021). But, there are some disadvantages to this power, including app limits, unfair algorithms and pressure to achieve perfection. These platforms are not blank slates; they determine what is noticed, what is said and whose voice is heard.Nonetheless, in this unstable, broken-up, hashtag online space, one truth stands out: what it means to be a citizen is changing and it's happening right now and it’s happening in real time, one post at a time. Thanks for reading,Best regards Until next time 💗 References

Duffy, B.E. and Hund, E., 2019. Gendered visibility on social media: Navigating Instagram’s authenticity bind. International Journal of Communication, 13, p.20.

Fernández-Prados, J.S., Lozano-Díaz, A. and Ainz-Galende, A., 2021, March. Measuring digital citizenship: A comparative analysis. In Informatics (Vol. 8, No. 1, p. 18). MDPI.

Kumar, N., Qiu, L. and Kumar, S., 2022. A hashtag is worth a thousand words: An empirical investigation of social media strategies in trademarking hashtags. Information Systems Research, 33(4), pp.1403-1427.

Literat, I. and Kligler-Vilenchik, N., 2023. TikTok as a key platform for youth political expression: Reflecting on the opportunities and stakes involved. Social Media+ Society, 9(1), p.20563051231157595.

Öztürk, G., 2021. Digital citizenship and its teaching: A literature review. Journal of Educational Technology and Online Learning, 4(1), pp.31-45.

Yang, G., 2016. Narrative agency in hashtag activism: The case of# BlackLivesMatter. Media and communication, 4(4), pp.13-17.

[shannonlyn20]

🌾 Welcome to Pelican Town: Relax Gaming and Community on Twitch

WEEK 10 – Gaming Communities, Social Gaming & Live Streaming (Twitch)

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐰 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 – More Than Just a Farm Game 🧑‍🌾🎮

Hello everyone, and welcome back to my Tumblr. This blog delves into the wholesome-yet-radical-political world of Stardew Valley, a relaxing farming RPG created by indie developer Eric Barone known as ConcernedApe. Stardew Valley may appear to be a simple retreat into pixelated peace, but it is actually a powerful site of community building, cultural expression and resistance, particularly when viewed through the perspectives of live streaming, game modding, and gaming discussion.

Whether on Twitch, YouTube, or Discord, Stardew Valley has cultivated a deeply emotional and participatory fan community that extends far beyond the game itself. So let’s unpack how this small-town simulator represents big ideas. Discord server has 260,886 members (Last checked 11 May 2025)

Twitch has 1.6M Followers (Last checked 11 May 2025)

🌍 Stardew Valley as a Utopian Digital Escape What makes Stardew Valley such a streaming sensation is its ability to function as a progressive utopia, an imagined world in which queer love, anti-corporate values and multicultural harmony flourish without resistance. The game's narrative, mechanics and visuals redefine farming life from a liberal-progressive perspective. It opposes capitalist grind culture and instead values emotional well-being, community and care (Mackay & Roberts, 2025). This explains why Twitch streamers frequently use Stardew as a space for relaxed, reflective and emotionally honest interactions with their audiences. It's more than just escapism; it's a shared desire for a more compassionate and inclusive world (Mackay & Roberts, 2025). 🧵 Modding as Digital Resistance Beyond streaming, the Stardew Valley fandom is well-known for its active modding community.  Mods can be installed by players to rewrite character storylines, broaden racial representation, include queer relationships, and even change body types, all of which reclaim aesthetic agency in a world that typically defaults to cishet whiteness (Cook & Semaan, 2024). While most mainstream games have limited customisation options, the ability to mod in Stardew allows isolated players to see themselves reflected in the game world. This is more than just wearing rainbow hair; it's about reshaping narrative norms and gaining control over digital identity performance (Cook & Semaan, 2024). 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Twitch, Relaxed Play & Parasocial Connections Stardew Valley has established a special place on Twitch, not because it's a competitive genre title, but because it invites a gentler, more emotionally present style of engagement. Its simple gameplay loop, planting, mining, gifting, exploring, creates space for streamers to slow down, reflect, and connect deeply with their audience. Players often describe Stardew Valley as a place of emotional refuge, where the repetitive rhythm of farming, fishing, and befriending NPCs creates a calming effect, providing structure and peace in chaotic times (Ball State Daily, 2020). On Twitch, this vibe translates into long-form, comforting content that emphasizes connection over competition. This emotional resonance is also driven by the detailed character design. With over 30 complex NPCs, each with their own routines, interests, and emotional storylines (some even explore into mental health and addiction), players and streamers can easily form personal connections with the characters (Carter, 2025). What was the result? Twitch streams that feel more like intimate gatherings than entertainment performances, with streamers opening up to their communities as they slowly rebuild a pixelated farm and rekindle fictional friendships.  It is not only healthy; it is also healing. 🈶 Localisation, Language, and Malaysian Stardew Fans Stardew Valley's popularity in Malaysia has led to a growing discussion about game localisation. In a case study of Chinese Malaysian gamers, researchers discovered that language preferences have a significant impact on immersion, with many players frustrated by the lack of localisation that reflects their distinct linguistic and cultural identity (Kuo & Lai, 2024). Although Simplified Chinese is available, many fans prefer Traditional Chinese or request a version tailored specifically to Malaysian Mandarin. This demonstrates how, even in peaceful games like Stardew, language accessibility and representation matter, influencing whether communities can truly feel "at home" in a game world (Kuo & Lai, 2024).

🚀 From Solo Dev to Global Phenomenon

Stardew Valley is also an excellent case study for solo game development and user-driven growth. Eric Barone, the game's code, music, visuals, and narrative creator, was able to compete in a market dominated by large studios despite working alone. On sites like Steam and Twitch, his genuineness, openness, and relationship with fans generated a great deal of pre-launch interest (Ewing, 2022). Instead of heavy marketing, Barone relied on word-of-mouth, early access communities, and live streamers to do the work. By engaging users and remaining active in fan communities, he created a long-term growth model that is still thriving today. 💬 Final Thoughts Stardew Valley may appear peaceful on the surface, but it is a hub of digital politics, identity work, and fan labour. From Twitch streams that promote slow, intimate community-building to mods that allow players to reclaim their narratives to localisation debates in Malaysia, it demonstrates that even the most cosy games can have profound implications. According to Stardew Valley forum users, the game's appeal stems from its ability to balance low-stress gameplay with meaningful progression, making you feel accomplished simply by watering your crops, forming relationships, or building a barn. In an overstimulated digital world, Stardew encourages us to slow down and care for ourselves, others, and our pixels. So next time you see someone watering pixelated crops or fishing by the stream, remember, they might be farming more than just turnips. They might be cultivating belonging in an increasingly fragmented digital world. Thanks for reading 🌿 See you in Pelican Town! Until next time. 💗 📝 References

Ball State Daily. (2020). Ball State Daily. [online] Available at: https://www.ballstatedaily.com/byte/article/2018/05/what-makes-stardew-valley-so-much-fun.

Carter, A. (2025). 4 reasons Stardew Valley is the best cozy game ever made. [online] XDA. Available at: https://www.xda-developers.com/reasons-stardew-valley-best-cozy-game/ [Accessed 11 May 2025].

Cook, S. and Semaan, B., 2024. Mod Installation as Reclaiming Representational Diversity: The Role of Aesthetic Agency in Stardew Valley. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 8(CHI PLAY), pp.1-33.

Ewing, D.R., 2022. Solo Entrepreneurship in the Video Game Industry: What Is the Best Growth Strategy for Stardew Valley After Early Success?. SAGE Publications: SAGE Business Cases Originals.

Kuo, A.S.Y. and Lai, Z.C., 2024. An exploration of linguistic preferences in the Chinese Malaysian gaming community: Stardew Valley as a case study. The Translator, 30(2), pp.179-195.

Mackay, O.E.L. and Roberts, C.A., 2025. Peace in the valley: a media and discourse analysis of Eric Barone's Stardew Valley through utopian theory. Games and culture, 20(1), pp.3-19.

Stardew Valley Forums. (2023). What’s the Appeal of Stardew Valley? [online] Available at: https://forums.stardewvalley.net/threads/whats-the-appeal-of-stardew-valley.22278/.

[shannonlyn20]

💖 Let’s Dive into Youth With You Season 2 (青春有你2) – The Ultimate Idol Reality Show 🌟🎤

WEEK 5 – Digital Community & Fandom 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟐 (2020) – iQIYI’s Idol Megahit 👑

Hi friends! Welcome to my first blog post for this digital community & fandom series 💕 Today, I'm highlighting the iconic Chinese reality show Youth With You (Season 2) - 2020, in which young female trainees compete for a spot in the ultimate idol group, THE9. If you enjoyed Produce 101, this one's for you. Aside from the glitz and glamour dance, and drama, this show provided an interesting look into digital fandom culture, identity formation and Asian online communities of practice. The Power of Participatory Fandom 🚀 Youth With You created a viral online fan culture, not only in China, but also around the world.  Fans did more than just watch the show; they became a part of it.

Voting daily through apps and platforms

Creating fan-made content (edits, memes, translations)

Joining digital fan clubs and “bar” forums (e.g., Weibo, Douban, Bilibili)

Defending or criticizing contestants online with real emotional investment

This is referred to as "multimodal literacy and dispersed participation" by scholars, in which fans act not only as viewers but also as media producers, critics, and even co-managers of their favourite contestants (Halverson, 2007).  Fan Activism and Identity Negotiation 💬🛡️ One of the most iconic contestants was LISA from BLACKPINK, who appeared as a dance mentor. Her mere presence brought on an international fandom excitement.

In addition, Liu Yuxin, a tomboyish, androgynous contestant, went against ideals of beauty and caused debates about gender expression in idol culture. Her fans not only voted fiercely, but they also defended her identity online, transforming fandom into a form of social and cultural activism. This is consistent with what Chin and Morimoto refer to as "transcultural fandom," in which fans connect across borders through shared affective investments rather than just national identity (Chin & Morimoto, 2013).

Reality show contestants are often forced to negotiate their public identities under the weight of fan expectations, emotional attachment, and social media commentary (Goretti, 2020). Liu Yuxin’s fans proudly reshaped what “idol femininity” could look like.

Liu Yuxin’s meteoric rise on Youth With You – from #23 in Episode 2 to #1 in the finale. Her rise in rankings is similar to how fans used data as a weapon to challenge industry standards. The Digital Workroom – Fan Forums, Memes & Edits 🎨📱 Chinese fandoms thrive on platforms such as Weibo Super Topics, Bilibili, and QQ groups, which serve as vibrant online hubs for fans to collaborate, organise, and express their loyalty.  These spaces serve as informal learning communities in which fans actively participate in designing, remixing, and campaigning (Halverson, 2007). Common fan activities include:          

Graphic design (fan art, digital posters)

Credits: Screenshot from @夏一季夏天 and @弦鱼子 on Weibo

Video editing (fancams, crack videos)

Credits: Screenshot from @不要叭叭辣 on Weibo

Subtitle translation and localization for international fans

This ecosystem conveys transcultural fandom practices, in which fans share strategies across borders. For example, Youth With You fans modified Korean idol fandom norms such as streaming goals, mass voting and fan-support kits but tailored them to Chinese platforms and social settings. These shared strategies arise from "affinities of industrial/semiotic practice" rather than shared national identity (Chin & Morimoto, 2013). While Youth With You focusses on inspiring stories of hard work and self-growth, it also reflects a larger media trend in China, where reality TV provides the personal transformation as the solution to social inequality, often covering deeper structural issues (Zhang, 2021). However, fans aren't just taking in the story. They reclaim agency by using digital remixing, critical discussion threads, and fan-driven storytelling to challenge the show's polished narrative and highlight alternative stories that are frequently overlooked in mainstream media. My Thoughts 💭 As someone who is always fascinated by fan cultures and identity performance, Youth With You provided a wealth of digital interaction.  It's more than just watching your favourite trainee win; it's about being a part of their rise, defending them online, creating memes, writing analysis threads, and sharing collective pride (and heartbreak). Youth With You demonstrates that fandom is no longer passive.  It combines strategy, emotion, politics, and creativity.  In the case of Liu Yuxin and her fans, it is cutting-edge. Best regards Until next time 💗

📝 References

Chin, B. and Morimoto, L.H., 2013. Towards a theory of transcultural fandom. Participations, 10(1), pp.92-108.

Goretti, N.M., 2020. The Challenge: The Intersection of Participatory Fandom, Identity Negotiation, and Interactivity in Reality Television (Master's thesis, San Diego State University).

Halverson, E., 2007. Reality Television, Fan behavior, and Participation in Online Communities of Practice.

iQIYI. (2020). Youth With You Season 2 [Streaming Series]. Available at: https://www.iq.com/album/youth-with-you-season-2-english-version-2020-19rrhxvgyh?lang=en_us

Writer, S. (2020). iQIYI: combining AI & creativity to tell stories. [online] Campaign Asia. Available at: https://www.campaignasia.com/article/iqiyi-combining-ai-creativity-to-tell-stories/461354  [Accessed 11 May 2025].

Zhang, Y., 2021. From Made in China to Made by China: the Evolution of Reality TV Programming and the Locality of Narration in China. Available at SSRN 5205317.