Kristina Krause #Hashtivism and Identity Blog

It seems like hash tags surround us almost everywhere we go or look surround us.  Originally hash tags were only found on twitter and then Facebook added a feature that enabled users to incorporate hash tags into their posts.

Just going online and searching Hashtivism in google pulls up so many results. The ALS Ice bucket challenge, Stand up for Planned Parenthood, Bring back our girls, and not one more are some examples that pop up preceded by a hashtag symbol.

Hashtivism to me is  the use of social media outlets to try to bring awareness or attention to a certain cause. Not all hashtags trying to bring attention to a cause are examples of hashtag activism though.

 Some that corporations use inappropriately, are trying to get consumers to buy or use their product. Corporation hashtags can also have their meaning twisted by users. Entenmann’s had a great faux pas when it used #notguilty in a tweet about people eating treats. That was ‘t advocating for anything concerning society greatly.

McDonald’s tried to use #McDStories  and #MeetTheFarmers to promote the quality of the suppliers it uses. Twitter users twisted this and used their stories about their bad experiences. Some include fried insects in their fries, getting food poisoning, poor display placement on counters, small portions that are overpriced and more.

It seems like companies and corporations feel almost untouchable behind social media. Their identity as a big corporation doesn’t grant them immunity from criticism for misusing hashtags or making inappropriate comments. In fact it is the opposite in some cases. Some corporations can lose customers or get a bad reputation for something the social media department thinks will help them like with Entenmann’s #notguilty tweet after Casey Anthony’s verdict.

I feel like social media makes most if not everyone that we have a whole new identity when it’s more like one facet of our entire identity.

The information I have on my Facebook profile or what I tweet is different from what I might say or do out loud, but I filter what I put on each. Most of my family are on my friend list, but hardly any of them know I have a twitter or what my twitter handle is.  Normally in real life I don’t complain much but when I do it’s something pretty irritating to m, but that doesn’t automatically go on Facebook or twitter.

Complaints about little things like stubbing my toe or not being able to find what I need is inconsequential to everyone else so I wouldn’t put it on any of my social media, but might talk on the phone or text a friend or my mom about it to vent. For me my social media profiles are all an extension of my identity and I don’t like anonymity.

To me anonymity can be beneficial sometimes, but I find there is a distinct lack of accountability, owenership of comments and responsibility if it’s on a forum and it’s harming someone else. One of the greatest examples is from Jimmy Kimmel. He does a segment where celebrities from all fields read some of the hurtful comments about them. Even though there is an account tied to it, that person is essentially John Doe to that celebrity because how would someone like Lady Antebellum know the name of any of their haters. It's nearly impossible when there's millions of people that listen to their music.