I totally agree with Wesch that the internet is not just about spreading information, it’s also about bringing new people together. He says that a lot of what is on YouTube is people participating in trends, which is known as “participatory culture.” While this video is from 2008, I think that his statement holds true.
I would say that this culture of participation is also extremely evident of the newer video platform TikTok. Trends are incredibly common on the app, including POVs, dances, and “get ready with me” videos. Creators can further participate in someone else’s TikTok video by reposting or dueting it. While this culture of participation was relatively new in 2008, it is the internet norm today.
As an educator, this presents several opportunities and challenges. Online trends spread quickly and age even quicker. While you may be the “cool teacher” one day for incorporating an online trend into your lesson, the same referenced trend can be incredibly dated a day later. Referencing old trends or memes as if they are still the relevant thing that teens are participating in can make a teacher seem out of the loop or even uneducated in a sense. This is why I’ve mainly tried to steer clear of referencing memes in my materials because they are so rarely reusable.
In class, my break-out group discussed the dangers of students having access to the internet and how important teaching them about internet safety is. While the internet and it’s participatory culture is an amazing source of connection and entertainment, it is also a breading ground for harmful and inappropriate interactions. Since people can participate in what they see online, students open themselves up to mean or predatory responses on their posts. They run a risk of being cyber-bullied or groomed.
On the other hand, students also have the ability to participate in this culture as well. They are not just scrolling other people’s posts and comments, but adding their own. This is better known as a “digital footprint.” What they say or share on the internet as an immature minor can have lifelong consequences. Even if they later on delete it, there’s a good chance that the content remains elsewhere. Therefore, schools and homes need to work together to teach students about the dangers of the internet and how to use it safely.
Trends are extremely relevant and they are absolutely everywhere! I myself find myself taking on some of the TikTok trends, such as Project Pan. But we see them everywhere in the real world too. Take food trends, there are more and more plant based ‘meats’ that come out as the vegetarian population rises.
The digital footprint is definitely a topic we need to be discussing with young students. We all have cringey posts that we posted when we were younger that we have tried to or successfully gotten rid of, but there’s always someone who remembers that video.
This is a thoughtful reflection on participatory culture and its evolving role in digital spaces! Your comparison of Wesch’s 2008 insights to today’s TikTok trends effectively highlights how deeply ingrained participation has become in online culture. The challenges you mention for educators are especially relevant—staying current with trends is difficult, and outdated references can quickly backfire. Your discussion on internet safety is also crucial. The internet’s openness allows for both positive engagement and serious risks, making digital literacy education essential. Emphasizing the importance of a responsible digital footprint is a key takeaway, and your call for collaboration between schools and homes is well-placed. Great insights!