Today's activists are on a virtual frontline. Some of the biggest social movements of recent decades started as hashtags. #BlackLivesMatter got millions of people worldwide to go and protest and #MeToo put Harvey Weinstein behind bars. Writer and feminist Tessel ten Zweege (25) also ventures into the virtual landscape of cyberactivism, in which she particularly speaks out for women's rights. Yet she increasingly wonders how effective cyberspace is as a battleground for her social activism. In the 3Lab: Tessel in Cyberspace she investigates how effective so-called hashtag activism actually is.
Episode 1
In this first episode, Tessel examines the effectiveness of cyberspace as a battleground for social activism and discusses the criticism of online actions. Tessel interviews hashtag activists from Kick Out Zwarte Piet, BLM and gender expression coach on TikTok and Instagram to understand why they speak out online.
Episode 2
This episode delves into the accessibility of online sex work through social media and OnlyFans. The feminist issues surrounding sex work are discussed, at the same time there is the possibility that online sex work can be empowering. Tessel interviews dominatrix Coco from OnlyFans, Feya from Pornhub and QuennDragon, a paid men shamer, to understand how the internet has influenced their quest for independence.
Episode 3
Tessel investigates how TikTok algorithms offer queer content to users and how the internet contributes to the discovery of LGBTI identities. Researchers call the increase in trans people a 'social contagion'. Tessel discusses queer activism and the search for identity online with Jamela, Nadine and Sarah, who share their own experiences.
Episode 4
Tessel delves into the manosphere on the internet, where men from different subgroups such as incels, pick-up artists and men's rights activists can be found. She explores how boys end up in this online world, the degree of misogyny and their trust in the world. Conversations with crypto influencer Shariff, Mancademy founder Rienk, and ex-Red Pill Community member Joƫl reveal the complex landscape of traditional masculinity and anti-feminism.
