The Digital Fabric of Nationalism: How Social Media Weaves Banal Nationalism into Everyday Life

Abstract

In the digital era, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Weibo have transcended their roles as mere communication tools, emerging as pivotal arenas for the expression and amplification of banal nationalism. This paper explores how these platforms embed subtle nationalistic sentiments within the everyday online interactions of millions, thereby enhancing and reinforcing users sense of national identity. Through qualitative analysis of various social media posts and a comprehensive literature review, this study investigates the mechanisms through which these digital platforms perpetuate nationalistic narratives. Additionally, the paper employs visual data analysis of social media content to demonstrate the prevalence of national symbols and narratives, particularly during significant national events. The findings indicate that social media platforms not only reflect but actively shape societal trends through algorithm-driven content curation that promotes emotionally charged nationalistic posts. This paper underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of how digital environments influence national identity construction and the subtle ways in which they foster a digital form of banal nationalism.