Social media has become an integral part of daily life for many individuals around the world, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. These platforms provide opportunities to connect with others, share personal experiences, and gain insight into diverse perspectives.
There are also significant challenges that come with participating in digital spaces, particularly regarding the shaping of queer identity performance, community formation, and collective visibility. This essay will explore how social media environments can create ethical dilemmas due to algorithmic mediation and public exposure. It is important to consider these issues when creating and maintaining online personas.
Social media platforms such as Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, and Facebook have enabled users to engage with various queer communities through hashtags and groups.
LGBTQIA, PrideMonth, and QueerTok are popular tags used to unite and support members of the LGBTQ+ community. Through sharing photos, stories, videos, and other forms of media, users can form relationships and learn about different cultures. This helps to foster a sense of belonging and acceptance, which is essential for those who may feel isolated or marginalized. In addition, social media allows individuals to find resources and information about their sexuality and gender identities. They can access educational materials, events, and advocacy organizations that promote inclusivity and empowerment.
However, using these platforms requires caution as they can lead to ethical dilemmas related to algorithmic mediation and public exposure. Algorithmic mediation refers to the algorithms used by social media companies to curate content based on user behavior.
If an individual frequently searches for certain keywords or follows specific accounts, it can impact what types of content appear in their feeds. This raises concerns regarding the privacy of users' personal lives and potentially reinforces harmful stereotypes perpetuated by society. Public exposure also poses challenges, especially for people who wish to remain anonymous or private. Sharing too much information online can put them at risk of being outed against their will. It is important to consider how much personal data one shares and who has access to it.
While social media provides opportunities to connect with others and express oneself, there are significant ethical dilemmas due to algorithmic mediation and public exposure. Individuals must carefully navigate these issues when creating online personas and maintaining their presence on digital platforms. By doing so, they can protect themselves from potential harassment or discrimination while still enjoying all the benefits of participating in online communities.
How do social media environments shape queer identity performance, community formation, and collective visibility, and what ethical dilemmas arise from algorithmic mediation and public exposure?
Queer identities are shaped by various factors, including personal experiences, relationships, and cultural contexts (Bauer & Lees, 2015). Social media environments provide new platforms for constructing identity and building communities, but they also present unique challenges and opportunities.