Critical Mass of Online Space and Blogs for Social Change

• In Event: 338 - Section on Communication and Information Technologies Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Paper Session: Table 08.

Abstract

This paper aims to explore conditions for successful social change from online space and to grasp the characteristics of blogs in formation of critical mass, using Network Text Analysis (NTA) with UCINET6 and Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA). In order to accomplish this I researched the contents of blog posts on the cases of Cho Doo-soon which influenced the course of abolition of statutory limitations on sexual assault against children under age 13 and disabled people in Korea. The period of the investigation is from September 2009, when the case was first introduced by the media, to August 2011 before the petition campaign began. The result of NTA indicates that in that periods common words associated with child protection and prevention of sexual crime had greater influence than others. The result of QCA has shown that the formation of critical mass in online space towards tipping point is possible through logical response to the issue, representation by repetition and overcoming the problem of anonymity. As a result, fact-based critical mind is a major route to reach a critical mass. Therefore, I tentatively conclude that three characteristics of the blogs could be conditions for bringing positive change in offline world from the issues arising in online space. In other words, expansion of communication and sharing is to be in demand and, at the same time, distinctly reveals the subject of conflict resolution.

Author

• Sun Hyoung Lee, Yonsei University