<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Through an interpretive, user-centred approach, in this article I investigate a frequently overlooked dimension of online political engagement: spectating. Drawing on mini focus groups with Norwegian young adults, I challenge depictions of so-called lurking as antisocial and unproductive by advocating a more nuanced view of silent social media use. The findings demonstrate that spectating is viewed as a socially acceptable and meaningful activity within the participants’ broader expectations for civic behaviour. The analysis also presents active and normatively desirable activities encompassed in spectating – such as monitoring, critically consuming, and consciously curating political content – which can support citizens to maintain public connection and develop informed opinions. Ultimately, the study elevates the discussion on digital citizenship by illustrating how active spectating can serve as a meaningful and cooperative form of participation within a distributed understanding of civic engagement in an era of communicative plenty.</p>
</abstract>

Through an interpretive, user-centred approach, in this article I investigate a frequently overlooked dimension of online political engagement: spectating. Drawing on mini focus groups with Norwegian young adults, I challenge depictions of so-called lurking as antisocial and unproductive by advocating a more nuanced view of silent social media use. The findings demonstrate that spectating is viewed as a socially acceptable and meaningful activity within the participants’ broader expectations for civic behaviour. The analysis also presents active and normatively desirable activities encompassed in spectating – such as monitoring, critically consuming, and consciously curating political content – which can support citizens to maintain public connection and develop informed opinions. Ultimately, the study elevates the discussion on digital citizenship by illustrating how active spectating can serve as a meaningful and cooperative form of participation within a distributed understanding of civic engagement in an era of communicative plenty.

Active spectating in the digital public sphere: A qualitative exploration

Nordicom Review

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Active spectating in the digital public sphere: A qualitative exploration"}

Through an interpretive, user-centred approach, in this article I investigate a frequently overlooked dimension of online political engagement: spectating....

Active spectating in the digital public sphere: A qualitative exploration

Published Online: Jun 05, 2024

Page range: 170 - 194

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/nor-2024-0018

Keywords
social media, lurking, spectating, political participation, young adults, youth

© 2024 Elizabeth Solverson, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Active spectating in the digital public sphere: A qualitative exploration

Published Online: Jun 05, 2024

Page range: 170 - 194

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/nor-2024-0018

Keywordssocial media, lurking, spectating, political participation, young adults, youth

© 2024 Elizabeth Solverson, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
social media, lurking, spectating, political participation, young adults, youth