Category: Uncategorized

  • Title: Using the Digital for the Activism: A Route to Social Development

    Title: Using the Digital for the Activism: A Route to Social Development

    Using Digital Media for Activism: A Pathway to Social Change

    Using Digital Media for Activism: A Pathway to Social Change

    Introduction

    Digital Activism

    As the world becomes a more connected place through the Internet, activism has become something that extends across borders. Digital media is a major advocacy tool, allowing activists to raise awareness, call out wrongs, and even mobilize around common causes. From hashtag movements like #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter to climate change campaigns organized by youth activists, digital networks have transformed how social movements reach out to the public and hold authorities to account. This blog post delves into the art of strategically leveraging digital media for activism through factor-driven tactics and examples of success on the ground.

    Body

    Visibility and awareness are one of the main features of how digital media helps activism. Through social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, activists are able to spread their message to the world in real time. An example is the #MeToo movement that started out as only a hashtag and turned into a worldwide campaign against sexual harassment and abuse. The digital media ecology went viral, survivors publicized their experiences, found connection with others with similar experiences, and demanded accountability from powerful individuals in the spotlight (Mendes, Ringrose & Keller, 2019). The online movement had unintended offline consequences in the form of resignations, lawsuits, and policy changes.

    In addition, the Internet enables activists and supporters to build community. The internet enables external actors to find and coordinate others of like-mind in real time, and location is no longer an obstacle. Similarly, the climate activism movement Extinction Rebellion is using social media channels for coordinating protests, sharing updates, and recruiting individuals across the world (Taylor, 2020). This cyberconnectivity not only enhances the organizers’ ability to organize quickly, but it promotes a sense of camaraderie among participants, resulting in a collective identity that reaches across borders. Tools such as Discord and Slack have been used as preferred organizing mediums for digital townhalls and back-and-forth talks between activists to plan out next steps and ensure interaction persists with the community.

    Digital media also lifts up voices that are too easily marginalized in mainstream media. Activists from oppressed communities can leverage platforms like Twitter and TikTok to expose injustices and spotlight issues that legacy media might be ignoring. Another powerful example is the #BlackLivesMatter movement that came out of the widespread use of social media following the tragic murder of George Floyd in 2020. By leveraging cellphone video, tweets, and viral content, the movement catalyzed protests worldwide and rekindled debates about racial injustice and police reform (Rickford, 2016). Moreover, groups such as #SayHerName have also used online platforms to raise awareness about these women and their stories of marginalization and police brutality, and have worked to keep these stories from being forgotten (Crenshaw, 2015).

    In addition, such digital services give campaigners data to help inform their work. “The role of data and analytics tools at the disposal of people campaigning on social media can help campaigners stay clued in on the conversations happening,” Agarwal says. “You can see who’s talking to you and who’s responding to you.” This kind of insight through data and analytics software exists across the board, from Facebook’s Insights and Twitter’s Analytics, which give an overview of who an organization’s audience is and what they’re doing in real-time. Such information can be used to hone strategies for outreach (Poell & van Dijck, 2018). For instance, social media analytics were harnessed by activists during the Arab Spring to determine which messages were resonating with the public and then adjusting their strategies to keep momentum (Howard & Hussain, 2013). Beyond the world of social movements, environmental campaigns such as #FridaysForFuture have successfully harnessed Instagram and Twitter to circulate live updates, coordinate global climate strikes, and unite young activists across the planet (Thunberg, 2019).

    Yet the digital media of activism is not problem-free. Surveillance, censorship, and disinformation can hinder the work of activists. In some countries, governments have limited internet access and intercepted online content to curb protests (Tufekci, 2017). Misinformation can also twist activist narratives and foster public skepticism. For example, false narratives during Hong Kong’s protests were disseminated in misinformation campaigns working to undermine the movement and create dissent between supporters (Lee, 2020). But despite these obstacles, digital media is still a vital tool for advocacy, with the potential to reach more people and mobilize them to take action offline.

    Conclusion

    Online media has transformed the activist and advocacy landscape with new opportunities for visibility, community building, and timely advocacy. With viral actions, satyagrahas, real-time communication, and global connection, activists have started to change the way movements interact with people and society. Although problems like censorship and misinformation persist, the ability of digital media to facilitate collective action and promote social transformation is beyond doubt. It is only becoming more apparent as technology advances that it will continue to change the way we are able to fight and demand liberation as we know it from all corners of the world. Ethical reflection, transparency, and community-based storytelling will be key to keeping digital activism as a positive force for change.

    References

    • Crenshaw, K. (2015). Say Her Name: Resisting Police Brutality Against Black Women. African American Policy Forum.
    • Howard, P. N., & Hussain, M. M. (2013). Democracy’s Fourth Wave?: Digital Media and the Arab Spring. Oxford University Press.
    • Lee, F. (2020). Misinformation and Digital Censorship in the Hong Kong Protests. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 50(3), 420-435.
    • Mendes, K., Ringrose, J., & Keller, J. (2019). Digital Feminist Activism: Girls and Women Fight Back Against Rape Culture. Oxford University Press.
    • Poell, T., & van Dijck, J. (2018). Social Media and the Transformation of Activism. Communication and Society Journal, 45(3), 45-67.
    • Rickford, R. (2016). Black Lives Matter: Toward a Modern Practice of Mass Struggle. New Labor Forum, 25(1), 34–42.
    • Taylor, M. (2020). Extinction Rebellion: Digital Organizing and the Climate Crisis. Environmental Politics, 29(2), 342-357.
    • Thunberg, G. (2019). No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference. Penguin Books.
    • Tufekci, Z. (2017). Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest. Yale University Press.

    © 2025 Your Name. All Rights Reserved.

  • Title: The Way Data-Driven Advertising Affects Our Daily Lives

    The Way Data-Driven Advertising Affects Our Daily Lives

    The Way Data-Driven Advertising Affects Our Daily Lives

    Introduction

    Data-Driven Advertising

    Data-driven ads have been woven into the fabric of the internet, affecting how we view products, politics, and, yes, even our social mores. Big data and sophisticated analytics have given advertisers unprecedented insights into consumer behavior and preferences, even political leanings. This targeted approach has led to more personal advertising but has also prompted ethical concerns about privacy, manipulation, and perpetuating stereotypes. In this blog post, I dissect how data-driven digital advertising shapes people’s beliefs and actions, and provide real-world examples to evidence its power.

    Body

    One of the major implications of data-driven advertising is its ability to direct consumer spending through hyper-targeted marketing. Companies like Facebook and Google aggregate information about users in huge volumes—from search habits to social media messages—to create detailed consumer profiles. These profiles allow advertisers to serve extremely targeted ads according to personal interests and behaviors (Zuboff, 2019). Amazon’s recommender algorithm using machine learning offers up products that you have bought in the past or have done a search for, leading to impulse buying (Smith, 2021).

    Aside from consumerism, data-driven marketing also determines political opinion and voter choices. One infamous example would be the Cambridge Analytica controversy of 2018, when the personal data of millions of Facebook accounts was extracted without permission and repurposed to serve targeted political ads. These advertisements were specifically designed to capitalize on unique psychological profiles in order to subtly influence voters and potentially sway their votes (Cadwalladr & Graham-Harrison, 2018). These tactics prompted ethical concerns about user agency, data protection, and the transparency of political advertising.

    “Beyond politics, data-driven advertising often perpetuates stereotypes through the content it’s directing toward audiences. Ads that target by gender tend to perpetuate traditional roles.”

    Beyond politics, data-driven advertising often perpetuates stereotypes through the content it directs toward audiences. Ads that target by gender tend to perpetuate traditional roles. Work by Lambrecht and Tucker (2019) found that when job ads were gender-neutral, algorithms were still more likely to show men high-earning tech jobs compared with women. This is largely due to historical biases present in machine learning algorithms, which have led to inadvertently perpetuated societal inequalities. Beauty products, for example, are advertised to women and investment products are advertised to men, perpetuating traditional gender roles (Edelman & Luca, 2014).

    In addition, marketing practices that exploit data have been accused of generating echo chambers, notably in social and political networks. With personalized news feeds and targeted political ads, it’s harder than ever to break out of our ideological bubbles. This is an effect that is rampant on social media platforms such as Facebook, where a person is mostly exposed to the content they previously interacted with, ultimately exacerbating ideological polarization (Sunstein, 2018). Echo chambers can polarize communities and spread misinformation as users get caught up in a feedback loop that reinforces their prejudices.

    From a societal perspective, the impact of data-driven advertising isn’t limited to consumer preferences and voting patterns. For instance, in the health domain, the personal medical data of users is frequently used to advertise certain medications or treatments. Researchers have also found that some data brokers maintain comprehensive health profiles that advertisers can use to identify individuals with chronic conditions (Thompson, 2020). While that can heighten awareness for possible treatments, it also calls into question medical privacy and ethical advertising.

    Yet with it in mind, data-driven advertising also brings with it great advantages, not least in terms of user experience. Through user data, firms like Spotify and Netflix can curate content, so people can have access to “the music, shows, and movies most likely to align with their tastes” (Johnson, 2020). Such levels of personalization can push user satisfaction and engagement forward, thereby standing out as an example of the benefit of data-driven insights when used ethically.

    In addition, small businesses are able to reach specific demographics through targeted advertising that would be much costlier using traditional advertising. This power is what permits markets in a niche to flourish, as well as entrepreneurs to gain brand recognition without spending massive amounts of money on marketing. Facebook Ads, for example, enable businesses to reach audiences by location, age, interests, and behaviors, hence providing chances for customized promotion and customer interactions (Smith, 2021).

    Conclusion

    The potential and pitfalls data-driven digital advertising presents both opportunity and challenge. Although it enables tailored and relevant experiences, and efficient marketing, the personalization hypothesis has ethical implications regarding privacy, manipulation, and societal implications. As technology keeps powering up, equilibrium is needed between personalized content and accountability. Helping to counter algorithmic bias and encouraging responsible use of data is critical to helping us get to data-driven advertising that serves the public interest rather than undercuts user autonomy and diversity.

    References

    • Cadwalladr, C., & Graham-Harrison, E. (2018). Revealed: 50 million Facebook profiles harvested for Cambridge Analytica in major data breach. The Guardian.
    • Edelman, B., & Luca, M. (2014). Digital discrimination: The case of Airbnb. Harvard Business Review.
    • Johnson, M. (2020). How Spotify uses big data to enhance user experience. Data Science Journal.
    • Lambrecht, A., & Tucker, C. (2019). Algorithmic bias? An empirical study into apparent gender-based discrimination in the display of STEM career ads. Management Science, 65(7), 2966-2981.
    • Smith, A. (2021). The impact of Amazon’s recommendation algorithms. Journal of Consumer Behavior, 44(3), 123-134.
    • Sunstein, C. R. (2018). #Republic: Divided democracy in the age of social media. Princeton University Press.
    • Thompson, M. (2020). Data brokers and health privacy: A growing concern. Health Policy Journal, 35(2), 92-98.
    • Zuboff, S. (2019). The age of surveillance capitalism: The fight for a human future at the new frontier of power. PublicAffairs.

    © 2025 Your Name. All Rights Reserved.

  • Title: Are Social Media Good or Bad for Well-Being?

    Are Social Media Good or Bad for Well-Being?

    Are Social Media Good or Bad for Well-Being?

    Introduction

    Social Media

    Social media has become an inescapable part of modern life for billions of people around the world, now it appears it’s also one of the reasons people are more polarized in modern times. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter provide unrivaled opportunities for communication, networking, and sharing of information, but people have questioned why they seem to undermine people’s well-being. Critics counter that platforms designed to captivate—and serve the whims of profit-seeking corporate interests—tend to value clicks over mental wellbeing, to the detriment of users who may develop a destructive dependency, anxiety, or failing self-confidence. Meanwhile, proponents maintain that social media is essential for expression, community, and emotional support. This blog post elucidates the strengths and weaknesses of social media in its impact on well-being, emphasizing issues of architecture, business model, and content.

    Body

    The main concern for social media is the adverse effects it has on mental health. Studies have shown that frequent use of platforms engineered to increase engagement through algorithms can result in adverse mental health (Twenge, 2019). For instance, Instagram’s focus on visual perfection can lead to unrealistic notions of beauty and the development of body image issues among its adolescent users (Fardouly et al., 2015). These design decisions are not arbitrary but rather reflect business models that reward user attention by generating advertising revenue. Facebook’s algorithm, for example, promotes content that provokes significant emotional responses that capture user attention for more time, but also makes users more vulnerable to polarizing and detrimental content (Vaidhyanathan, 2018).

    “Doomscrolling,” or consumption of an uninterrupted flow of bad news and distressing information, has been associated with increased levels of anxiety and depression (Bendau et al., 2021).

    But social media also has a lot of upsides that can add to your overall well-being in life. Platforms are important for keeping in touch, helping people in the moment, and offering emotional solace, especially to those who may feel socially distanced. Research indicates that online communities enable users to be connected for cohesive psychological support in adversity (Hampton & Wellman, 2018). For those excluded from dominant discourse, social media may serve as a platform for advocacy and to mobilize coalitions not necessarily visible in mainstream media (Murthy, 2018). For instance, the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements were lifted to global audiences and support through platforms like Twitter and Instagram, which showcased the ability of social media to drive social change and community support.

    Furthermore, users can network through social media like LinkedIn for career development and self-awareness. Online spaces also facilitate sharing of learning material, political activism, and participation in global news, helping the public stay informed and engaged with global and local issues (Ellison et al., 2011).

    However, the start to the day on social media can determine whether the overall well-being social media provides is a negative or positive one. High levels of passive content consumption—e.g., decontextualized browsing—have been associated with lower levels of mental health, whereas active forms of content engagement, such as commenting and sharing, are generally beneficial (Burke, Kraut, 2016). This distinction underscores the dual nature of social media: empowering and dangerous — largely depending on the behavior of us, the users, and the design of the platforms.

    Conclusion

    It’s not that simple: The influence of social media on user welfare is actually a nuanced one based on interactions between platform design, user choices, and business motives. Social media, despite creating opportunities for connection and support, is all about attention, and that’s how social media companies make money (they’d be more interested in users’ mental health otherwise). In the future, designers of platforms must consider their ethical responsibilities and the well-being of their users as well as their profits. The possible impacts of platform design for users could facilitate healthier social media engagement. A balance of good online relationships and thoughtful use can help you get the most from the technology—and avoid the worst.

    References

    • Bendau, A., Petzold, M. B., Apfelbacher, C., Krause, R. W., & Teufel, M. (2021). Associations between anxiety, depression, and doomscrolling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 24(2), 86-90.
    • Burke, M., & Kraut, R. E. (2016). The relationship between Facebook use and well-being depends on communication type and tie strength. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 21(4), 265-281.
    • Ellison, N. B., Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C. (2011). Connection strategies: Social capital implications of Facebook-enabled communication practices. New Media & Society, 13(6), 873-892.
    • Fardouly, J., Diedrichs, P. C., Vartanian, L. R., & Halliwell, E. (2015). Social comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook on young women’s body image concerns and mood. Body Image, 13, 38-45.
    • Hampton, K. N., & Wellman, B. (2018). Lost and saved… again: The moral panic about the loss of community takes hold of social media. Contemporary Sociology, 47(6), 643-651.
    • Murthy, D. (2018). Twitter: Social communication in the Twitter age. Polity.
    • Steers, M. N., Wickham, R. E., & Acitelli, L. K. (2014). Seeing everyone else’s highlight reels: How Facebook usage is linked to depressive symptoms. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 33(8), 701-731.
    • Twenge, J. M. (2019). iGen: Why today’s super-connected kids are growing up less rebellious, more tolerant, less happy—and completely unprepared for adulthood. Simon and Schuster.
    • Vaidhyanathan, S. (2018). Antisocial media: How Facebook disconnects us and undermines democracy. Oxford University Press.

    © 2025 Your Name. All Rights Reserved.

  • Blog Post 1:

    Is social media good or bad for users’ well-being?

  • Post 2

    Digital advertising and marketing

  • Post 1

    Digital well-being

    digital media

  • Blog Two: The Malicious Nature of Targeted Advertising

    Reflect on how data driven digital advertising and marketing shapes individuals, for better or worse. Use specific examples of specific adverts or digital marketing campaigns to illustrate your key points. 

    Klimas, M. (2022) Targeted advertising explained: how it works and what you can do to protect yourself [image]. Surfshark, Available at: https://surfshark.com/blog/what-is-targeted-advertising (Accessed: 18 March 2025).

    How does data driven advertising and marketing (targeted ads) shape individuals?

    for better:

    • argue it creates a better experience for the user: shows them adverts only for products/services they have shown interest in or are predicted to show interest in
    • better for advertisers more likely to turn a profit if only showing ads to users who are more likely to be potential customers

    for worse:

    • exploits users: “digital labour signifies that the time spent on social media and other corporate platforms is not simple consumption or leisure time, but productive time that generates economic value.”
      • users are not paid for the generation of valuable data and are therefore exploited
      • prosumers
    • capitalises on users’ vulnerabilities: “prominent digital marketers and analysts are building a repertoire of tactics for targeting what they perceive as vulnerabilities in consumers’ decision-making processes”
      • most users unaware this is happening so no consent is given for companies to use their data in this manner
      • the deniability clause of a platforms terms and agreements: Lengthy and often difficult to read documents, where the policies and extent to whic data is shared is not clear.
    • Targeting people with adverts based upon their predicted (assumed) emotional inclinations and instabilities, e.g. gendered idealized body types
      • They are setting up these idealized body types (for example) as true. 
      • targeted ads use gender stereotypes based on the data they have collected on your profile to target users with heteronormative gender ideals.

  • Blog 2

    digital advertising – BLOG 2

    Back in early 2011, the Coca-Cola Sydney office was facing challenges with brand engagement. Most notably among young folks.

    Traditionally, The Coca-Cola Company used uniform, global marketing campaigns. However, the one-size-fits-all approach needed to be fixed.

    Seeing this, the local marketing team was tasked with revitalizing the Coca-Cola brand.

    The team famously proposed personalizing Coca-Cola labels with individual names. Personalizing a can or bottle of Coke to the individual.

    They launched the new campaign in Australia nationwide on October 1st, 2011.

  • blog3

  • Blog 3