Internet Culture Research Articles

Your smile works: understanding smiling face emojis in social media interactions

Previous studies on smiling face emojis mainly focus on how they are employed by the addresser for rapport management, with limited attention given to exploring the addressee’s interpretation of smiling face emojis. This study aims to explore whether smiling face emojis are interpreted as (im)polite in a virtual communication context and what factors might influence the interpretation. When carrying out the research, the author designed stimuli with 10 commonly used smiling face emojis in WeChat and then recruited 192 participants to take part in an experimental study. The results indicate that smiling face emojis enhance the politeness degree of an utterance while mitigating potential impolite intentions. They also indicate that the interpretation of politeness in utterances with smiling face emojis is influenced by age and gender. In addition, the interpretation of smiling face emojis is tightly related to the culture of politeness (礼) and internet culture. This article helps us to understand the use of smiling face emojis and the management of interpersonal relationships in a visual communication context.

Meme-Ing Waves: unpacking political narratives in the Romanian context

ABSTRACT Political memes are no longer (only) a humorous feature of internet culture, but also act as a vehicle for information diffusion and reimaging of politics. Using a mixed-methodology approach, combining content analysis, descriptive statistics, and social network analysis, this study unravels the complex dynamics of political memes within the Romanian context, uncovering how memes reflect and shape political narratives. By focusing on the political discourse surrounding the 2020 Romanian parliamentary elections, this research highlights the underlying power dynamics and themes prevalent within the Romanian political landscape. The study finds that memes frequently amplify the visibility of incumbent political actors from governing parties, unveiling their symbolic importance. Memes also tend to reflect salient themes and issues, such as corruption and incompetence, serving as a means of criticizing the personal attributes of politicians and overshadowing policy matters. Finally, the analysis reveals the intricate web of political affiliations formed through cross-cutting communities within the emerging subthemes of the meme corpus. Overall, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of memes as a driving force for political commentary, framing, and engagement.

“Airbnb Be Like…”: Examining the Impact of Memetic Doppelgängers on Meme Virality and Brand Image

This article examines how internet memes, a distinctive type of user-generated content, have served as a vehicle for the co-destruction of the Airbnb brand. For this purpose, we discuss the relevance of internet memes alongside the doppelgänger brand image concept, which explains the logic behind disparaging brand imagery that circulates within internet culture. A comprehensive research model is developed that links several meme- and user-related characteristics with both meme virality and the brand image of Airbnb. The proposed multilevel model is tested using a split-sample approach on a dataset that includes 121 Airbnb-related memes evaluated by 3,664 participants. The results reveal that the virality of disparaging memes is mainly driven by humor, unambiguity, pictorial format, inoffensive content, and “active” user status. The perceived brand image is, however, mainly affected by the valence (negativity) of the memes, while the meme content and user status are also important.

Criminal Prohibitions when Using Mobile Applications

The article summarizes interim results of a research performed under the project of the Russian Science Foundation focusing on criminal law risks of using mobile applications. These risks can be of two types: the risk of being held criminally liable and the risk of being victimized by the criminal activities of others. The second type of risk is better defined because it is addressed in the context of preventing crimes committed using information and telecommunications networks or in the field of computer information in general. The first one implies not only situations when a user intentionally causes harm through a mobile application, but also cases where people do things, the public danger and wrongfulness of which is not obvious to them. Such persons usually have no desire to violate criminal law but do so failing to understand the unlawfulness of their actions due to the specific environment and technological features. Therefore, the ultimate goal of this project (at the next step) is to ensure safety of mobile application users, including inadmissibility of their unjustified criminal liability, through the development of recommendations on the rules of behavior when using relevant technologies. The purpose of the work within the framework of the presented scientific article is to determine the state of use of mobile applications (characteristics of mobile Internet culture) and those criminal law regulations that may be consciously or unconsciously violated by users of mobile applications. To achieve this goal two sociological surveys were conducted among users of mobile applications to determine how they use their mobile devices. The provisions of the criminal law and the materials of criminal cases were analyzed in order to understand what crimes can be committed by users of mobile applications who actually did not want and did not understand that they were violating the criminal law.

Strategic authenticity in the promotion of a protest action on social media: the case of the School Strike 4 Climate in Sydney

ABSTRACT Protest organisers around the world are increasingly trying to pressure governments to act on climate change. Young people have been at the forefront of the mobilisation to raise awareness about the issue and to call for change. Student movements across the globe are redefining the political through innovative and creative actions. I focus on one of these actions with a case study of how young people from the School Strike 4 Climate (SS4C) movement in Sydney use social media to promote a protest event. In doing so, I propose the concept of ‘strategic authenticity’ to define the balance between professional communication and authenticity in young peoples’ communicative action online. Such a balance is achieved by melding well-crafted content with humour and references to popularity and internet culture. Studying students’ practices of ‘strategic authenticity’ contributes to deepening our understanding of democratic renewal and young people’s political engagement in the context of the climate change movement.

청소년의 부주의한 인터넷 이용 행태에 관한 연구

This study focuses on the lack of awareness and the careless behavior of adolescents when using the internet, despite the high possibility of being involved in crimes, such as the exposure of personal information. The study utilized secondary data from research conducted by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea and the Korean Council of Children's Organizations as part of the Child Rights Monitoring Project. It examined factors influencing careless behavior by categorizing them into adolescents' personal characteristics, behavioral characteristics related to internet use, and cognitive characteristics regarding cyberbullying. The analysis found that while the level of carelessness among adolescents on the internet was relatively low, repeated careless behavior could lead to desensitization, potentially resulting in greater negligence. Adolescents, in particular, can easily access a wide variety of content on the internet, and this repeated carelessness can diminish their perception of risk, eventually escalating to more serious risky behaviors. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that considers the characteristics and culture of adolescence, as well as the complexity and diversity of internet use, is continuously required. Related research is expected to be a crucial starting point for promoting healthy internet use among adolescents and, furthermore, for establishing a positive and safe internet culture.

From Waithood to Precariat: Unveiling the Unique Plight of the Sanhe Gods

In the realm of youth studies, the spotlight has often been cast upon the middle-class demographics and their contributions to internet culture, leaving a substantial portion of the youth populationthe lower-class youthlargely in the shadows. Among this overlooked demographic, the Sanhe gods stand out as a particularly neglected group. Despite their significant presence, having burgeoned in the early 2010s, it was not until the release of NHKs 2018 documentary Sanhe Talent Market: The Young People of China Earning 1500 Yen Daily that the academic world turned its gaze towards them for a thorough and systematic examination. This research paper aims to shed light on the unique circumstances surrounding the rise and current situation of the Sanhe gods. Through a qualitative analysis that incorporates anthropological studies by Chinese scholars and scrutinizes the digital footprints of the Sanhe gods across various internet platforms, this study seeks to unravel the complex tapestry of their existence. This study's findings underscore the Sanhe gods distinctiveness as a phenomenon deeply rooted in the socio-economic and cultural fabric of China, shaped by historical forces unique to the Chinese experience.

Three decades on the Chinese internet: Attention, authority, and cultural production

Emerging in the mid-1990s as an alternative space, internet culture in China has transitioned from an era of youthful idealism, egalitarianism, and communal spirit to an era of intensive commerce. This essay delves into the intricacies that define the vibrancy of digital culture, including the intense competition for user attention and the interplay between digital and traditional media. Amid contemporary challenges, such as geopolitical tensions, digital inequality, and socio-economic instability, it highlights the imperative of comprehending the strategies employed by different stakeholders to wield influence. Moreover, the essay underscores the significance of investigating how the digital sphere has emerged as a pivotal space for examining the convergence of contested ideologies and diverse generations of internet users.

Research on the Spread of Memes and the Positive Mental Health of Adolescents in the Internet Environment

With the proliferation of social media and Internet culture, playing memes has emerged as a primary mode of communication among teenagers, demonstrating their ability to interpret text and recreate language. Teenagers transform and use Internet memes in the rapid development of the Internet, constantly carry out innovative transformation and creative development in the development of Internet culture, draw inspiration from learned idioms and allusions and daily life practice, adapt, add, innovate, and form new forms of expression, so as to provide themselves with entertainment and the operation of mental thinking. This new activity promotes positive mental health and aids in the holistic development of teenagers. The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of playing memes on adolescents' positive mental health in the Internet environment, using a literature review and case analysis. The study found that moderate participation in meme-playing activities under the correct guidance can enhance the sense of group belonging and social interaction among adolescents, thereby promoting their mental health development.

Gendering of the “ideal user” in 1990s-era internet magazines

This project responds to calls by scholars to interrogate how gender was depicted on the early commercial internet. More broadly, it examines how the idea of “users” was and is constructed in different times and places. Specifically, it examines images—advertisements, photos, and other illustrations—and how they depicted gender norms and user behaviors on the internet—in their “idealized” forms. Our study looks at how magazines, such as Internet World and Yahoo! Internet Life shaped internet culture from the beginning. They differed from webzines in their crossover appeal to women, men, power users, and casual fans. We utilize a close reading of these primary sources and deploy a feminist historical approach to help understand how these images were constructed and received. In this, we are inspired by Megan Sapnar Ankerson and Jesse Lingel, with their research on the early civilian internet.

Language Evolution in Bookish Social Media: A Netspeak Analysis of Booktok and Bookstagram

This study investigates the evolution of language on Bookstagram and BookTok using digital ethnography to analyze posts from popular content creators. By employing content and thematic analysis, the research examines how Netspeak, consist of acronyms, emoticons, and abbreviations, reflects online language and identity. The findings reveal that #Bookstagram prefers emojis and a formal, literary style, while #BookTok adopts unique linguistic traits such as symbols and a lack of punctuation, reflecting a more conversational tone. These differences highlight the role of Netspeak in encouraging interaction, sharing literary experiences, and building a sense of community in online book discussions. The study shows the impact of internet culture on communication practices, illustrating the dynamics of identity and community in digital spaces. Ethical clearance was obtained, and permissions were secured from content creators, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and respect for intellectual property rights. This research provides valuable insights into how digital spaces shape language use and community building within online book communities.

Formation of national and cultural identity as a function of spectacularity and spectacularity culturee

“Spectacularity” in the modern information society is one of the crucial factors and tools for the formation of national and cultural identity, since its role in festive, ceremonial, visual, television, screen, Internet culture, and other similar types of postmodern culture, which have the most important ideological and educational resources for the formation of national and cultural self-awareness and self-identifi cation of citizens in society, is paramount. In modern times, namely in the era of postmodernism, the screen, as well as screen, television, Internet, and visual culture are a powerful ideological weapon, an infl uential educational tool, participating in the creative national and cultural policy of the state. The materials of the article can be used in the educational process in the Cultural Studies major.

Revolution or Order? Buddhist Responses to the 2021 Military Coup in Myanmar

The military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021 ended a period of semi-civilian rule (2011–2021), bringing the country once again under direct military rule. Recent research into the religious responses to the coup in its early phases indicate that the mass protests were characterised by global internet culture, inter-religious solidarity, and new visions for a plural and democratic Myanmar. The Buddhist Sangha, it is often claimed, remained silent and mainly supportive of the military. Through a multi-method approach to textual analysis, qualitative interviews, and field work, this article seeks to analyse possible shifts in the ways that Buddhism has contributed to both justification of the military’s action and resistance to it. It is argued that Buddhist support for the coup must be understood not only within an instrumentalist framework, but also through what is referred to in this article as a Buddhist Ideology of Order. In opposition to this, a Buddhist revolutionary movement is identified. It envisions radical societal transformations, including of institutional Buddhism itself. Finally, the data show that pro-revolutionary activities go well beyond established monastic revolutionary networks, indicating broader Sangha engagements in the Myanmar Spring Revolution than has often been assumed.

Fan Art in E-Commerce Marketplace Copyright Protection: A Study of the Chinese Experience

This research article aims to explore the Chinese experience in dealing with fan art within the copyright protection framework on e-commerce marketplaces. The findings highlight the complex relationship between fan art, copyright infringement, and e-commerce platforms in China. While fan art has become a significant cultural phenomenon and a means of artistic expression, it often infringes upon the copyrights of the original creators. The article examines the legal implications and challenges associated with fan art, focusing on its impact on intellectual property rights and the e-commerce environment. Furthermore, the study analyzes the measures taken by Chinese e-commerce marketplaces and the government to address the issue of copyright infringement in fan art. The research evaluates the effectiveness of existing copyright protection mechanisms, such as takedown notices, filtering technologies, and legal enforcement actions. This article investigates the Chinese experience in dealing with fan art within the copyright protection framework on e-commerce platforms. The article also explores the impact of Chinese internet culture and the attitudes of fan artists and consumers towards copyright protection. Additionally, it investigates the opinions and experiences of copyright holders in relation to fan art on e-commerce platforms. Overall, this research article provides valuable insights into the Chinese experience of addressing fan art within the copyright protection system on e-commerce marketplaces. By understanding the challenges and potential solutions, policymakers, copyright holders, and e-commerce platform operators can gain perspectives and develop strategies for adapting copyright protection mechanisms in the digital era.

Internet Culture as a Nomadic model: representation of the Unconscious

The article examines the issue of the formation of a new reality through Internet culture. The subject of this work is the nomadic model of the World Wide Web. The object is modern news programs presented on the Internet. The purpose of the study is to identify patterns that influence the formation of a new genre of media as a way of communication in the Internet environment. The peculiarity of the Internet device allows us to develop the concept of a viewer-author due to a high level of interactivity. The presence of a multitude of information expressed through an uncontrolled nomadic model creates an atmosphere of a new "reality" based on false freedom and pseudo-trust. In addition, the creation of a "virtual double" by the viewer contributes to the manifestation of hidden emotions and antisocial behaviors as a manifestation of the archetype "Shadow" (K. Jung). The article puts forward a hypothesis: the peculiarity of the Internet networks, expressed through the nomadic model, creates a platform for the realization of the unconscious viewer. This work is based on the nomadic model of culture developed by philosopher J. Deleuze and psychiatrist F. Guattari. Through the concept of psychoanalysis by K. Jung and J. Lacan examines the concept of the unconscious, as well as the "virtual reality" of S. Zizek, necessary for the most complete analysis of the transmission of information through Internet genres. The relevance of the research is emphasized by the need to comprehend the processes of constructing reality in the Internet network, through new information genres, in conditions of high interactivity. The novelty of the work lies in a new theoretical understanding of the experience of receiving and transmitting information via the Internet, one of the main participants of which is the viewer himself. The analysis of information production methods becomes especially necessary in conditions of reduced data moderation, which leads to the spread of false information in modern society. The author's special contribution to the research of the topic consists in the analysis of information and analytical programs, in particular "Caution: News", presented on the Internet platform. The main conclusion of the conducted research is the confirmation of the scientific hypothesis: the Internet environment is a nomadic model, which is a platform for the realization of the unconscious viewer.

Research on Dynamic Graphic Features in Digital Media Interfaces

In digital media interfaces, dynamic graphics integrate elements of animation design, graphic design, andcinematic language, presenting in various forms and demonstrating significant inclusivity. From the perspective of visual cognition, by capturing dynamic graphics within the interface, three-dimensional information such as time and space is acquired, and the cognition process exhibits characteristics of spatial and temporal correlation. In terms of information cognition, dynamic representation fragments information, resulting in a sense of discontinuity and intermittent memory. The efficiency of information cognition and transmission is enhanced through the coordination of audio, video, and other elements. In aesthetic perception, with the rise of Internet culture, people’s aesthetic perceptions towards dynamic graphic design have evolved, showcasing a generalization of form and the instantaneous nature of content. Technically, the complexity of design and the diversity of applications have established dynamic graphics as a typical design style label in digital media interfaces.

The Information Culture Level of Uzbekistan Students at Islamic Studies College

This article describes information culture in the modern period and its distinctive characteristics. Researchers have looked into the social elements that lead students at a special Islamic educational college to lack a critical approach to selecting the necessary information. The author also presented a number of suggestions and recommendations in this area, based on the idea that future imams must acquire information culture. The article in the Information Society examines in detail the necessity of the efficient use of information in the field of education and makes sure that information is circulated quickly and of high quality within the education system, which becomes the primary criterion for the advancement and development of the nation. The primary determinants of the information culture creation of secondary specialized Islamic education students are elucidated. Every student and adolescent in the twenty-first century must adhere to the fundamentals of information culture; issues with its application in the classroom and, naturally, fostering a more positive Internet culture are emphasized. The scholarly essay provides an examination of research done on how students in secondary specialized educational institutions use social media and the Internet. The development of students' information cultures in secondary specialized Islamic educational institutes has not been researched at all; this is a scientific study conducted in Uzbekistan as well as all of Central Asia. Information culture of students studying in secondary specialized Islamic educational colleges has been thoroughly defined and formed into formation standards

"ᚁ is Beith and means birch” - an exploration of Ogham in online fanfiction featuring King Alfred the Great

Through an analysis of three selected case studies, this study unveils how Ogham's integration into contemporary narratives generates fresh layers of meaning and revitalises this ancient alphabet. The chosen focus on Alfredian fanfiction offers a contextualised exploration of the role of this ancient Irish script in shaping novel interpretations, bridging historical languages with the digital age, and shedding light on how fan communities reconfigure cultural heritage across temporal and geographical boundaries within the dynamic landscape of internet culture. By employing a comprehensive approach, this research elucidates the intricate interplay between Ogham, historical narratives, and contemporary fan creativity, providing valuable insights into how this ancient script sparks innovative meanings and propels narratives within the digital realms of fan culture.

Analysis and Development Trend of Traditional Media and New Media Communication

In the context of the new era, people's access to information has gradually been reformed with the development of science and technology. The wide application of network technology in new media communication not only improves the limitations of traditional media communication, but also effectively promotes the development of the news media communication industry to a higher level, efficiently realizes the instantaneous, large and comprehensive nature of information dissemination, and plays a huge role in the healthy and sustainable development of society. Since the 21st century, the rapid development of Internet information and digital technology, new media communication has also emerged. Cultural communication and news communication have ushered in new development opportunities, but also inevitably some challenges. Advances in digital technology are driving the digital transformation of traditional publications. The dissemination of culture and news is also increasingly the mainstream form of Internet culture and news new media communication. Many developed countries are actively using Internet technology to develop new media communication. This paper will analyse in detail the basic status quo of new media communication under the background of traditional media and the Internet era and look forward to its future development trend.

Bodies on the screen : A short essay on performative memes

“Bodies on the Screen: A Short Essay on Performative Memes” explores the intersection of contemporary visual art and internet culture through an analysis of memetic performances. Focusing on David Horvitz’s viral “freezer project” as a catalyst, the essay examines the dynamics of repetition and variation within memetic systems, highlighting the role of instructions and the body as a medium of expression. Drawing parallels with more recognized art practices, such as the body-centric works of Bruce Nauman and Erwin Wurm, the article discusses the transformative power of performative memes, which often blur the line between art and everyday life. Through case studies like planking and viral challenges, the essay delves into the concept of “new media idiocy,” coined by Russian scholar Olga Goriunova, and explores the emergence of performative memes on platforms like TikTok, where the human body becomes a central tool for self-expression and identity exploration.