Religious “Bubbles” in a Superdiverse Digital Landscape? Research with Religious Youth on Instagram

Abstract

Religious activities are no longer confined to local religious communities, but are increasingly taking place online. In that regard, social media is of particular importance for young believers that connect with their peers via platforms such as Instagram. There are conflicting views on the functioning of social media platforms: they are either conceptualized as superdiverse spaces, in which social boundaries can be overcome, or as resulting in separate bubbles that foster exclusive exchanges between like-minded people sharing certain characteristics, including religious affiliation. This article assesses online religious activities based on qualitative research involving 41 young, urban, religious Instagram users of different faiths. We demonstrate how young believers’ interactions on social media produce thematically bound content bubbles that are considerably homogeneous when it comes to religion, but superdiverse in other areas. Religious activities online often have an affirmative effect on religious belonging. This is especially true for young people that perceive themselves in a minority position and search for like-minded people online. We have found that religious content bubbles are clustered around religious traditions. Interreligious exchange (e.g., between Christians and Sikhs) is largely absent, whereas intrareligious boundaries (e.g., between Lutherans, Catholics, and Pentecostals) become blurred. This suggests that differences within religious traditions are losing significance in a digitalized world, while interreligious boundaries remain.

Religious Affiliation and Consumer Behavior toward Biodiversity Conservation in Europe

“…Religious beliefs and teachings often go against scientific findings and can create a filter bubble that limits exposure to diverse perspectives and knowledge. This can result in individuals accepting misinformation that aligns with their beliefs and spreading false information (Novak et al 2022). Religious beliefs and teachings can also lead to resistance to new ideas and scientific advancements.…”

Dynamics of Digital Media Use in Religious Communities—A Theoretical Model

“…As a religious meaning system is made up of specific religious beliefs, attitudes, and interpretations (Park 2005), it can be assumed that this system also acts as a source of selective exposure to digital media. We therefore suggest that religious individuals select digital media in line with their religious attitudes and beliefs (Novak et al 2022). Thereby, a religious meaning system can shape an individual's digital religious media use.…”

“…With the communication of religious symbols, ideas, and attitudes (Hjarvard 2012;Fischer-Nielsen 2012), digital religious media can shape a religious meaning system (Taves 2018;Hoover 2006;Park 2005). However, an individual's attitudes and beliefs that make up the meaning system can impact media selection (Knobloch-Westerwick et al 2019;Novak et al 2022) and hence, define digital religious media use. Therefore, an individual's religious meaning system and digital religious media use are interconnected.…”

“…As a religious meaning system is a central part of a religious individual and defines their beliefs and attitudes (Park 2005), we assume it can influence media selection and shape digital religious media use. Herein, previous research could show that religious individuals appear to seek content fitting their religious orientation (Novak et al 2022).…”

“Hair for Freedom” Movement in Iran: Interreligious Dialogue in Social Media Activism?

“…Different religious identities and traditions share their activities on various digital platforms, which must be analyzed to understand the potential for generating interreligious encounters and dialogues. The role of the media in conveying religious identities and meanings through digital platforms is not new and is not exclusive to social media (Novak et al 2022). However, these platforms have the potential to generate and support transnational dialogues and communities.…”