Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Doja Cat and more on block list
⭐️Here's what you need to know⭐️
- Social media users have blocked some celebrities on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
- This is part of a pro-Palestinian movement aimed at pressuring celebrities to speak out against the war in Gaza.
- Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Justin Bieber are some of the names that often appear on blocklists.
- But experts are skeptical about its potential impact.
- Keep reading to find out why. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
If you block a celebrity on social media, chances are they'll never notice unless you're a close friend of theirs.
But what happens if 1,000, 100,000 or even 1 million fans block them? Will they balk?
That's the hope behind a new social media campaign called #blockout2024 that started earlier this month.
The goal of online activists is to pressure celebrities, especially those who have not spoken out against the conflict, to speak out about the plight of Palestinians in the ongoing war in Gaza.
The blockade is part of a larger campaign of pro-Palestinian protests aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hamas.
But some experts are skeptical about what impact the move will have.
How did this all begin?
Protests against the war have intensified in Gaza in recent months.
And then the Met Gala was held.
It's an annual party held in New York City where celebrities gather to show off high fashion attire and raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.
Photos of the May 6 events emerged around the same time that images surfaced of Israel's recent military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
The contrast between celebrity luxury and images of war has led some social media users to criticize celebrities for not doing more to stop the conflict.
What does block out mean?
When you block someone on social media, you won't see any of their content, including photos, videos, and sponsorships.
Since many celebrities make money from their content, the idea is to target their paychecks in the hopes that it will force them to take action.
The organizers provided a specific list of celebrities that should be blocked, including Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber.
However, there are other lists circulating, and some users are choosing for themselves who to block.
It is unclear exactly how the celebrities were selected, or the extent to which they may or may not have spoken publicly about the war.
Experts say blockouts are drawing attention to the problem
Catherine Corrigall-Brown, a sociology professor at the University of British Columbia, said online social movements are a great way for young people to get involved.
“I think blocking out is very subtle because it brings attention to an issue and it can have an impact even for people who can't vote,” she told CBC Kids News.
She said that in the past, boycotting brands such as Nike that use unethical labor practices to manufacture their products has been successful in changing the company's behavior.
“At the end of the day, companies exist to make money, and if they can't make money, that's really bad for them, and it affects their behavior,” Corrigall-Brown said. Ta.
Kim Kardashian, second from left, poses at the Met Gala in New York City on May 6. She is one of the top celebrities to be found on block lists circulating online. (Image credit: Andrew Kelly/Reuters)
Blockout lacks focus
But Corrigall-Brown and other experts say they are skeptical about the impact the blockout will have.
That's because it's unclear which celebrities should be blocked, why, and what exactly is being asked for, whether it's a cease-fire or something more.
“If people in power don't know what you want, it can be hard for them to give it to you. If groups make more specific requests, they're more likely to be successful,” she said.
Jordan Foster, a doctoral student at the University of Toronto who studies new media and inequality, is also skeptical.
“I think what's going on right now is going to be a small blow to some celebrities,” he told CBC News.
That said, it's possible that the impact is already being felt.
NPR reported last week that Taylor Swift lost 300,000 followers on TikTok and 50,000 followers on Instagram.
She still has 33 million followers on TikTok and 283 million followers on Instagram.
It is also unclear whether the number of people who have blocked accounts is linked to the blockout campaign, as the social media platform does not allow for verification.
Differences between online and face-to-face activities
Corrigall-Brown said it's really important to voice your opinion and take part in democracy.
However, how you do it is important.
When it comes to online exercise, it can be tempting to join in and then move on and end the activity when you're done with it.
She said young people may find it more appealing to be involved in a movement where they can discuss issues with others at school or in the community.
Children, open your hearts
She said it's also important to keep an open mind and talk to people who disagree with you.
“We need to be honest with ourselves and admit that the world is very complicated. There are rarely any situations where one side is completely right or wrong,” she said.
“Talk to people who disagree with your views can help you understand your point of view more.”
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With files from The Associated Press and Kevin Maimann/CBC News
