Advanced digital technologies (ADT) play a crucial role in enabling the creation, dissemination, and reimagining of stories that define who we are and how we connect with one another. This presentation explores the role of social media (as a form of ADT) in shaping identity and cultural narratives within Canadian and global contexts, focusing on their implications for our sense of belonging, truth, social cohesion, collective memory, and cultural representation. Based on a scoping review and meta-analysis of studies from 2014 to 2024 in diaspora studies, sociology, and literary studies, this presentation traces the shift in social media research from early optimism to a more critical reassessment of its impacts. The findings highlight three key areas: (1) The dual nature of social media. While social media facilitates community-building, it also spreads misinformation and polarizes communities. Recent research critiques social media as a space governed by algorithms and AI, and filled with doppelgangers, micro-fascists, or an anxious generation. (2) Identity and Narrative Formation. Social media enables personal storytelling but commodifies narratives. The rise of “micro-influencers” shapes political discourse, often blurring the line between the truth and misinformation. (3) Cultural Identity and Collective Memory: ADT preserves and transforms cultural heritage, yet profit-driven algorithms risk homogenizing experiences and undermining cultural diversity. Social media’s ephemerality may contribute to “digital amnesia.” I conclude by proposing a new analytical framework for examining diasporic identity and collective memory in relation to social media narratives, along with specific suggestions for future research in this ever-evolving landscape.

Authors:
Masoud Kianpour, Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Masoud Kianpour is currently a Senior Research Fellow at Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration program at Toronto Metropolitan University in Canada.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/masoud-kianpour-67583824

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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