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WEEK 10

Have you ever experienced online harassment? What is your tolerance for this kind of behavior?

In today's society, the issue of online harassment on university campuses has become a topic of great concern. Many students face various challenges from the digital space, including online harassment. The study found that about a quarter of respondents said they had experienced online harassment. Worryingly, however, many people believe that this behavior is common and acceptable in cyberspace, the “norm” (Haslop et al., 2021). This perception can lead to victims being reluctant to take action to address harassment, exacerbating the problem.

Gender plays an important role in online harassment. Research has found that women and transgender people are more likely to be targets of online harassment. 25.9% of female respondents said they had experienced online harassment, compared with 18% of male respondents, indicating that gender-related digital divide issues still exist (Haslop et al., 2021). This inequality highlights the complexity and urgency of gender issues in digital spaces.

In addition, a report by Project International shows that in Australia, 65% of women aged 15-25 have experienced a series of online violence, and the global figure is 58% (Project & [email protected], 2023). These data show that online violence has a serious impact on the mental health of victims and requires our great attention.

Victims' reactions to OSH issues vary. Some people choose to avoid or retreat, or even disengage from online platforms, while others take steps to limit online participation. However, an erroneous view has emerged in some public and policy discourses that women should choose to disengage from online platforms in order to avoid harassment (Vitis & Gilmour, 2016). This perspective ignores the underlying issues with harassing behavior and can leave victims feeling isolated and helpless.

While choosing to disengage is understandable, what is more troubling is the suggestion (evident in some public and policy discourse) that women should disengage if they want to avoid harassment. This advice is prominent in state-sponsored and abstinence-based “sexting” campaigns (Vitis & Gilmour, 2016). Educational campaigns in Canada, the UK, and Australia. Such campaigns have been criticized for blaming the victim and constructing teenage girls as responsible for policing themselves. has been criticized for its actions to manage the risk of dissemination of images without consent.

The problem of online harassment faced by victims involves gender inequality, digital divide and other factors. Only by working together can we strive to create a more friendly and respectful online environment. Governments, educational institutions and individuals should all work together to formulate and comply with relevant policies and guidelines to create a safe, respectful and inclusive cyberspace.

Reference

Project, F., & [email protected]. (2023, June 21). New Journalism Research will help mitigate the harms of online hostility. Freilich Project for the Study of Bigotry. https://freilich.anu.edu.au/news-events/blog/new-journalism-research-will-help-mitigate-harms-online-hostility 

Haslop, C., O’Rourke, F., & Southern, R. (2021). #NoSnowflakes: The toleration of harassment and an emergent gender-related digital divide, in a UK student online culture. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 27(5), 1418–1438. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856521989270 

Vitis, L., & Gilmour, F. (2016). Dick Pics on blast: A woman’s resistance to online sexual harassment using humour, art and Instagram. Crime, Media, Culture: An International Journal, 13(3), 335–355. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741659016652445 

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WEEK 9 Gaming Industry

Explore the impact of Melbourne gaming culture and live streaming technology on the gaming industry

The game industry is a large and diverse industry, covering many aspects such as game development, production, publishing, marketing, sales and services. The development of the game industry is affected by many factors such as technological progress, market demand, and cultural influence. It has become an important economic and cultural field worldwide.

Melbourne International Games Week: a platform for diversity and cultural exchange

Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW), as a high-profile gaming event, brings together various activities such as industry conferences, consumer expos, and independent games festivals, attracting the attention and participation of various stakeholders (Keogh, 2020) . The event showcased the diversity of the video gaming space, proving that it is a cultural field shaped by different values, practices and communities, challenging traditional perceptions of the homogeneity of the industry.

MIGW is not only a platform for displaying games, but also an important occasion for communication and discussion of game culture. By showcasing various types of games, hosting discussions and workshops, MIGW promotes dialogue and cooperation within and outside the gaming industry and promotes the development of gaming culture (Keogh, 2020). The complexity and diversity of Melbourne’s game scene provides useful discussions and inspirations for the development of the game industry, and also provides a unique communication platform for game enthusiasts and practitioners.

Live Broadcasting Technology: Changing the Landscape of Esports and Competitive Gaming

On the other hand, the rise of live streaming technology has changed the landscape of e-sports and competitive gaming. Traditionally, viewers of e-sports competitions mainly watch recorded events through online video platforms, but with the emergence of live broadcast platforms, viewers can watch the games in real time and interact with other viewers and players (Taylor, 2018). This change significantly increases viewer engagement, allowing them to experience the game more deeply and play their part in the game.

Melbourne gaming culture resonates with live streaming technology

To sum up, Melbourne’s gaming culture and live streaming technology have had a significant impact on the gaming industry. Melbourne International Games Week provides an important platform for the development of the game industry and promotes the exchange and development of game culture. At the same time, the rise of live broadcast technology has brought new development opportunities to e-sports and competitive games, promoting the progress and growth of this field.

Keogh, B. (2020). The Melbourne Indie Game Scenes. Independent Videogames, 209–222. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780367336219-18 

Taylor, T. (2018). Broadcasting ourselves. Watch Me Play, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvc77jqw.4

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Week 8 Filter on Social Media

Beautification filters: Beauty traps in the age of social media

In today’s age of social media, beautifying filters have become an integral part of many users’ daily lives. These filters allow users to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing look when taking selfies and sharing photos by applying virtual accessories and editing facial features. However, there may be some problems hidden behind these filters.

The impact of beautification filters on beauty ideals

First, beautification filters may exacerbate the pursuit of exclusive beauty ideals. These filters often make users look more in line with mainstream aesthetic standards, such as fairer skin tones, larger eyes, and slimmer faces (Barker, 2020). This can lead to users feeling dissatisfied and insecure about their true appearance, believing that they need to conform to these aesthetic standards in order to be accepted by society.

Filters reinforce bias against certain beauty standards

Second, beautifying filters may reinforce preferences for specific beauty standards. For example, Snapchat filters are known for their variety of special effects and filters, but they have also sparked discussions about race, gender, and cultural bias. These filters are often accused of providing a disturbing skin-lightening effect, which can cause skin tones to look unnatural and undesirable, especially for people of color. In addition to skin tone issues, these filters modify facial features to conform to stereotyped beauty (Barker, 2020). This emphasis can lead to dissatisfaction with one's true appearance and a belief that one needs to conform to these standards in order to be recognized or popular.

The cultural filtering effect of beautification filters

In addition, the beautification filter can also be regarded as a cultural filter to a certain extent. They shape the way users present themselves and interact with others on social media. Users may be affected by these filters and feel that they need to present a more perfect or mainstream aesthetic image on social media, thus changing their behavior and attitudes in real life. (e.g. life event structures on Facebook) reflect evolving stories that shape users’ narratives and expectations (Rettberg, 2014).

Treat beautification filters rationally

Therefore, while beautifying filters bring a beautiful appearance to users, they may also bring some negative effects. Users should treat these filters rationally and not rely too much on them to define their own value and beauty. At the same time, social media platforms should also pay more attention to the design and use of filters to avoid reinforcing preferences for specific beauty standards, thereby creating a more inclusive and diverse social media environment.

Rettberg, J. W. (2014). Filtered reality. Seeing Ourselves Through Technology, 20–32. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137476661_2 

Barker, J. (2020). Making-up on mobile: The pretty filters and ugly implications of Snapchat. Fashion, Style & Popular Culture, 7(2), 207–221. https://doi.org/10.1386/fspc_00015_1 

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Week 7 Visual Social Media

Social media platforms have become an important way for many people to achieve personal branding and financial gain. For many creators and content creators, social media is a platform to showcase their work and thereby attract more viewers and fans. These creators can earn financial benefits by partnering with brands or using advertising.

Traffic is very important on social media. Social media users often strive to boost their traffic to gain more attention and opportunities. Increased traffic is also an important aspect of competition among social media platforms, as attracting more traffic can increase your own value and attract brand capital.

Examines social media creators’ experiences with algorithmic visibility, with a particular focus on the experiences of platform governance for creators from historically marginalized identities and stigmatized content types. The study interviewed 30 social media creators, covering platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitch. The findings show that creators generally believe that platforms allocate visibility unevenly and biasedly. They attempt to resist algorithmic detection and ensure their content visibility and traffic (Duffy & Meisner, 2022). However, some creators feel confused and helpless, believing that labor demands and the stressful nature of content visibility on the platform are inevitable. The focus is placed within the larger context of the “creator economy,” highlighting issues of inequality, exploitation, and overwork faced by social media creators. These creators believe there is injustice in the way social media platforms are regulated, especially towards creators from marginalized communities. They feel frustrated by the platform's uncertain penalties and impact on revenue. (Duffy & Meisner, 2022).

In contrast, young women are more susceptible to the influence of gendered body aesthetics and heterosexual scripts in the post-feminist era, and these influences are further spread and reinforced on social media. Commercial media, brands, and lived gender experiences intersect to shape and reproduce gender roles and aesthetic standards on social media. In addition, the influence of algorithmic media platforms is also growing, and they further promote the reproduction of gender roles and sexualized images in digital culture by identifying and amplifying attention to sexualized bodies (Carah & Dobson, 2016).

Young women are treating themselves as commodities on social media, engaging in sexual endeavors to attract attention and, ultimately, money. Their strategies include using various aesthetic means, emotional expressions and sexy fashion to attract followers and build a business empire based on sexy images (Drenten et al., 2019). They use various skills and knowledge to gain more attention and money by carefully designing and planning their image.

Platform governance is critical to creators’ visibility and success, reflecting complex dynamics of power and regulation. It also highlights the urgency of addressing the unequal treatment of creators and the impact of algorithmic governance on marginalized communities. Finally, it calls for a re-examination of the discipline and punishment mechanisms in the creator economy to better address systemic inequalities and biases in platform governance.

Reference

Duffy, B. E., & Meisner, C. (2022). Platform governance at the margins: Social Media Creators’ experiences with algorithmic (in)visibility. Media, Culture & Society, 45(2), 285–304. https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221111923 

Carah, N., & Dobson, A. (2016). Algorithmic hotness: Young women’s “promotion” and “reconnaissance” work via social media body images. Social Media + Society, 2(4), 205630511667288. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305116672885 

Drenten, J., Gurrieri, L., & Tyler, M. (2019). Sexualized labour in Digital Culture: Instagram influencers, porn chic and the monetization of attention. Gender, Work & Organization, 27(1), 41–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12354

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Week 6 Slow fashion

What is slow fashion?

Slow fashion is a reflection and response to the fast fashion model. It emphasizes not chasing short-term trends, but focusing on the quality and design of clothing. Slow fashion advocates call on people to re-examine their consumption habits, choose environmentally friendly and socially responsible brands, and support sustainable development.

More and more businesses are adopting green initiatives as part of their business philosophy. This shows that companies are beginning to realize the importance of sustainability to their long-term development. Slow fashion, as a new approach, focuses on more durable products, traditional production techniques, and sustainability to achieve sustainable development (Domingos et al., 2022).

In addition, female consumers show a more positive attitude towards slow fashion clothing, while consumers with higher income levels are more likely to purchase slow fashion clothing. Gender and income level are important factors affecting consumer purchasing behavior in the field of slow fashion. And established a model to explain consumers' purchase intention of slow fashion clothing. The model showed good explanatory power in explaining the purchase intention of American consumers' slow fashion clothing, explaining 55.6% of the change in purchase intention (Chi et al., 2021 ). This shows that the model can well explain the driving factors behind slow fashion purchasing behavior, providing valuable insights for future research and practice.

The concept of slow fashion is the opposite of fast fashion, emphasizing quality rather than quantity, and focusing on transparency and responsibility in the design and production of clothing. Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainability and corporate ethics. As consumers increasingly align their values with purchasing decisions, support for slow fashion is gradually increasing (Domingos et al., 2022). This shows that slow fashion is not only a fashion choice, but also an expression of lifestyle and values.

In addition, a positive relationship between compassion and sustainable purchasing standards was found, while compassion plays an important role in sustainable fashion consumption. Compassion is considered a moral emotion that can motivate people to take actions to support social and environmental sustainability (Geiger & Keller, 2017). Particularly as social sustainability issues become increasingly prominent, compassion can be a powerful motivator for sustainable consumption behaviour. This emotional factor interacts with individuals' values and jointly affects their consumption decisions.

The complex interplay between emotions, values and behaviors in the context of sustainable consumption has important implications. People's consumption behavior is not only affected by personal values. In particular, women are more emotional and are easily influenced by emotional factors. These factors jointly shape people's attitudes and behaviors towards sustainable fashion.

Domingos, M., Vale, V. T., & Faria, S. (2022). Slow fashion consumer behavior: A literature review. Sustainability, 14(5), 2860. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052860 

Chi, T., Gerard, J., Yu, Y., & Wang, Y. (2021). A study of U.S. consumers’ intention to purchase slow fashion apparel: Understanding the key determinants. International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 14(1), 101–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/17543266.2021.1872714 

Geiger, S. M., & Keller, J. (2017). Shopping for clothes and sensitivity to the suffering of others: The role of compassion and values in sustainable fashion consumption. Environment and Behavior, 50(10), 1119–1144. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916517732109

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Week5 What is Digital Citizenship? Hashtag Publics, Political Engagement and Activism

In today's society, we are faced with increasingly serious social inequality problems, which include various forms of discrimination and prejudice. To gain a deeper understanding of these issues, the concept of intersectional frameworks needs to be applied. The perspective of intersectionality recognizes that individual identities are not singular, but are intertwined with multiple identity attributes (Choi & Cristol, 2021). For example, a person may identify as a woman, a minority, and from a low-income background. The intersectional operation of these identity attributes results in different groups facing different forms of marginalization and discrimination in society.

Online activity is also an important area for our understanding of social inequality. The popularity of the Internet and social media has made information dissemination faster and more extensive, but it has also brought about some problems, such as the authenticity and validity of information. In this area, the cross-cutting framework can be applied. The power and position of different groups in online spaces, as well as the challenges and opportunities they face, need to be considered(Choi & Cristol, 2021).

So the importance of cybersecurity measures, laws, and educational programs in managing digital citizenship is increasingly evident, especially in the context of adolescent Internet use. These measures mainly regulate the behavior of digital citizens in cyberspace and increase their awareness of cybersecurity and legal issues.

Internet companies can protect user data by strengthening network security measures and technological innovation, government funding can regulate Internet behavior by formulating relevant laws and policies, and private enterprises can protect user rights and interests by providing secure network services and products. In addition, cybersecurity initiatives by non-profit organizations and businesses are also crucial to help build a safe online environment by developing cybersecurity education programs for parents, teachers, and children (McCosker, 2016). These comprehensive measures will help reduce cybersecurity risks and protect the rights and security of digital citizens.

Coupled with broader democratic participation, individuals can better participate in social affairs and promote social change and the formulation of public policies. Educating citizens should realize that digital society is not only the dissemination of technology and information, but also an important platform for promoting democratic values and civil rights, which requires their active participation and promotion. In this process, education plays a vital role. It is not only the imparting of knowledge, but also the key to cultivating citizen awareness and participation spirit. Through education, people can better understand social issues, recognize their rights and responsibilities, and thus participate more actively in social affairs. Therefore, educating citizens should continue to learn and improve their literacy, and contribute to building a more democratic and fair society, including government procedures and voting behavior, so that people can have better expressive participation and personalized politics(Choi & Cristol, 2021). Cybersecurity builds digital citizenship that enhances expressive and creative literacy, while conflict, harassment and the well-being of young people are a multi-faceted challenge (McCosker, 2016).

In fact, I think this requires national, global and local environment, platform technology and capabilities, while also solving problems of abuse, harassment or cyberbullying at the public level. In addressing these challenges, a combination of governance measures needs to be considered to address competing positions and conflicts of interest in the environment.

Reference

McCosker, A., Vivienne, S., & Johns, A. (2016). Negotiating Digital Citizenship: Control, contest and culture. Rowman & Littlefield International.

Choi, M., & Cristol, D. (2021). Digital citizenship with intersectionality lens: Towards Participatory Democracy Driven Digital Citizenship Education. Theory Into Practice, 60(4), 361–370. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405841.2021.1987094

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Week 4 Reality TV Case Study

The rise of social media has dramatically changed the reality television landscape. In the early 2000s, forums and blogs were the main platforms for discussion of reality TV shows, with mainstream sites like The Guardian and Vulture joining fan blogs and audience-facing sites like TWOP in sharing humorous takes on the show. However, by the mid-to-late 2000s, social media platforms such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter became competitors for audience attention. These platforms provide space for the formation of online communities, allowing viewers to not only interact with friends and family but also share content related to their interests, including reality shows (Deller, 2019).

In recent years, reality television has played a significant role in shaping the visibility of queer identities and cultural ideas. These programs provide a platform for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other queer groups in British and American popular culture to express themselves and share their stories. The rise of social media has further reinforced this trend. Through broader norms and ideals of personhood, behavior, and acceptability associated with reality television and social media, these shows make queer identities more accessible and reflect society's diversity and inclusion. Through these media, queer communities can display their lives and stories to a wide audience, promote social understanding and recognition of queer identities, and promote social diversity and inclusion (Michael, 2019).

Live tweets from reality TV shows form identifiable communities on Twitter, and live tweets based on the show give viewers a deeper understanding of a country's cultural identity. Taking The X Factor NZ as an example, live discussions among viewers on Twitter often involve New Zealand, New Zealand culture or New Zealand's place in the world, reflecting the characteristics of New Zealanders and "New Zealanders". This use of social media not only enhances the interaction and participation among viewers, but also provides wider dissemination and influence for reality shows. By sharing their opinions, viewers not only watch the show, but participate in a larger community. This real-time interaction not only connects the audience more closely, but also provides opportunities for immediate feedback and interaction between program producers and participants, deepening the audience's understanding of the program and the cultural and identity issues involved (Stewart, 2019 ).

Social media has become the primary place for viewers to engage in discussions about reality shows, replacing traditional forums and blogs. Twitter, in particular, has become a key platform for real-time interaction during television broadcasts, allowing viewers to tweet as programs unfold, enhancing the public viewing experience. The rise of social media has extended the reach and lifespan of reality shows, providing participants with the opportunity to extend their fame and generate revenue through endorsements and advertising by sharing memes, GIFs and other content. In addition, social media strengthens the credibility of reality shows by giving reality show participants the ability to express their opinions and correct misrepresentations that may appear on the show. Overall, the rise of social media has changed the way audiences participate in and discuss reality shows, providing new possibilities for the spread and influence of programs (Deller, 2019).

Reference

Deller, R. A. (2019). Reality television in an age of social media. Reality Television: The Television Phenomenon That Changed the World, 141–175. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83909-021-920191007

Stewart, M. (2020). Live tweeting, reality TV and the nation. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 23(3), 352–367. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367877919887757

Lovelock, M. (2019). Queerness as authenticity in reality TV. Reality TV and Queer Identities, 63–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14215-5_3

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Week 3 Reality TV Case Study

In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become important spaces for personal expression, community connection, and challenging social norms(Anne,2022). The strategic use of platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr offers unique opportunities to engage in feminist politics and shape the issues and types of politics on the platform(Jessalynn,2019). For example, the #bodypositive movement on Tumblr aims to promote self-acceptance, challenge traditional beauty standards, and create a supportive environment for people of all body types(Anne,2022)

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Twitter, with its limited characters and hashtags, provides a space for the rapid dissemination of feminist messages and promotes relevant conversations. Facebook, which is used more for connecting with family and friends, is generally more conservative, causing women to be more cautious about the type of content they share. The design of the platform and the dynamics of the network can influence the level of social privacy and interaction control.(Jessalynn,2019)

Known for its anonymity and visual content, Tumblr provides a unique space for feminist discourse. The deep, disorienting nature of the platform provides a sense of safety and freedom for discussing controversial feminist topics(Jessalynn,2019). In 2017, an analysis of 300 selfies posted on Tumblr using the #bodypositive hashtag revealed a wide variety of self-presentations and user reactions within this empowering community. These selfies depict people embracing their bodies, challenging social norms and promoting self-acceptance. The text accompanying the selfie focuses on self-acceptance, with an empowering and positive tone, while also touching on themes of self-improvement(Anne,2022).

The research also revealed user reactions within the #bodypositive community, with more than half of the selfies receiving positive feedback in the form of likes, encouraging comments and retweets. This active engagement reflects the supportive and empowering nature of the community, emphasizing the beauty and strength of the individuals depicted(Anne,2022)

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To sum up, the #bodypositive community on Tumblr is an authentic, progressive and creative space that promotes diversity, self-acceptance and empowerment. By using hashtags like #bodypositive, individuals can continue to create a supportive and inclusive environment that challenges society's beauty standards and promotes self-love and acceptance.

Reference

Anne,R（ 2022）,“Love the Skin You‘re In”: An Analysis of Women’s Self-Presentation and User Reactions to Selfies Using the Tumblr Hashtag ,Volume 26, 2023 - Issue 6,pp8-15

Keller, J. (2019). “oh, she’s a Tumblr feminist”: Exploring the platform vernacular of Girls’ Social Media Feminisms. Social Media & the Self: An Open Reader. https://doi.org/10.32376/3f8575cb.30dbf3b9