Oxford Intersections: Social Media in Society and Culture

Abstract

This work will provide an integrated analysis of social media’s transformative and disruptive power across the global sociocultural landscape. Often referred to as the fourth communication technology revolution, the impacts of social media are felt across every aspect of society, from personal and community relationships to business transactions, knowledge acquisition, and societal norms, rules, and values. Edited by a board of scholarly experts, each of the nine sections will focus on a particular facet of society, engaging with how it has been impacted by social media across platforms, cultures, and geographies, both positively and negatively. Common themes related to privacy, misinformation, well-being, the digital divide, post-colonial legacies online, and literacy will emerge across these sections, highlighting the cross-cutting nature of social media research and the necessity of the project’s interdisciplinary scope. The section editors bring diverse scholarly and regional expertise, including backgrounds at the intersection of social media studies with education, religion, political science, communication, and more. With the intention of adopting a comprehensive strategy, new and original research will be offered in well-documented and understudied areas alike. By integrating insights from these various disciplines, the project hopes not only to enrich the intellectual landscape encircling the study of social media but also to create a more thorough and nuanced comprehension of its multifaceted impact on society and culture. This inclusive approach will serve to amplify underrepresented voices and the associated subtopics in the academic community and ensure that the resulting research is robust and comprehensive.