Crafting self identity in a virtual community: Chinese internet users and their political sense form

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the construction of virtual community identities among Chinese internet users and their motivation for lurking, posting or flaming.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking Qiangguo Luntan as an online study site the authors apply an ethnographic approach for the research, a method that is becoming more and more favourable by scholars in study virtual communities. The data gathered are mainly through participant observation and in‐depth interviews.

Findings

The findings suggest that internet bulletin boards enable ordinary Chinese to have their identities as politically activated citizens constructed in cyberspace. A consistent enthusiasm for political participation can be found in user's pennames, signature files, political clusters, and online behaviours.

Originality/value

This is an original case study.

Citation

Tian, R.G. and Wu, Y. (2007), "Crafting self identity in a virtual community: Chinese internet users and their political sense form", Multicultural Education & Technology Journal, Vol. 1 No. 4, pp. 238-258. https://doi.org/10.1108/17504970710832835