Meghan Scheuing

Rutgers Student

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

@SzetoYung The #antivax hashtag is definitely a huge component in the spread of misinformation and panic surrounding vaccines. However, it's also important to note the duality of the hashtag, in which some people actually post information to combat against any fake news being spread.

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

@gellllllloo It's great that these hashtags exist as a means of calling out misinformation. Although fake news likely wouldn't spread as fast in an age where social media didn't exist, there also wouldn't be as many opportunities to combat these fake truths.

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

In an age where social media didn't exist, many of these legislators may have been able to get away with downplaying the severity of a public health crisis. Now, thanks to these hashtags, they can no longer tell bold-faced lies simply because they hold positions of power.

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

The #disinfo hashtag serves to directly call out the spread of potentially harmful misinformation through both online and in-person narratives. This hashtag has specifically been used in response to legislators downplaying the severity of COVID-19. #RutgersDCIM #Virtual90

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

These legislators may be trying to diffuse any "panic" as a result of COVID, but are discounting the lives of those lost by downplaying its severity. By calling out these individuals, many hope to shed a light on who really cares about the people they're supposed to represent.

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

@gellllllloo The #GirlGamer hashtag is a great place for women to connect with and share stories with their female counterparts in the world of gaming. Women are very clearly not treated with respect both inside and outside of the games, making these safe communities super important.

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

@mgisinger1 Toxic masculinity definitely played a huge role in #Gamergate. Many men wanted their roles in the gaming community/the games themselves to be taken "seriously," but weren't willing to extend that respect to both the portrayals of women in the game and their fellow female gamers.

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

By taking the time to recognize and attempt to reform the flawed ethics throughout the video game community, players hope to see both an increase in diverse representation and decrease in the portrayal of harmful stereotypes.

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

One hashtag that has to do with the idea of #Gamergate is #GamingForAll. This hashtag celebrates the diverse community of gamers that aren't always recognized as part of the demographic gaming audience: an issue highlighted in the #Gamergate movement.
#Virtual90 #RutgersDCIM

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

This is due largely to the fact that "the industry rarely recognizes members of these [marginalized] groups as gamers," leading many ethically concerned members of the gaming community to promote the concept of #GamingForAll, promoting inclusivity and tolerance for all who play.

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

@marygracechris4 As crazy as it sounds, women are still very much a marginalized community, especially when it comes to the professional field. I am familiar with this hashtag and think it's super important for both raising awareness on inequality and allowing women a place to share their stories

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

@gellllllloo I also used a variation of this hashtag! It becomes more relevant each year as Halloween rolls around. As much as people try to argue, Halloween is a time when people try to look as exaggerated and crazy as possible, & other people's culture should not be taken advantage of.

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

In the reading, Jackson and Welles point out this shift away from mainstream media allows marginalized communities to "become influential online in ways that may not have been possible before." With the power to speak up, these individuals are finally taking back their culture.

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

#NotYourCostume is a strong example of marginalized groups using a hashtag to amplify their voices and encourage change. This hashtag relates specifically to Native American and Indigenous peoples whose culture has been appropriated through costumes. #Virtual90 #RutgersDCIM

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

However, these marginalized groups have began speaking up against this disrespect in recent years, thanks highly in part to social media growing to new heights/surpassing traditional media and allowing individuals to speak freely on the issues most important to them.

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

@SzetoYung It's amazing how much traction Twitch has got in such a short amount out time. Right now, I genuinely think that the twitch streaming community is one of the fastest growing online communities, and really does a great job of being inclusive to its members.

[Meghan Scheuing @ScheuingMeghan]

@GaldieriTimmy This is a great example. The GoPro community is very tight-knit from what I've observed and comes together frequently to both boost and comment on other GoPro users' videos.