The echo areas of fourth wave feminism: Digital tools and applications

Whereas digital tools and applications allow people who cannot find a place in traditional media to express themselves, they also provide an alternative environment for them to participate in collective action processes and discussions. Upon the increase in the use and popularity of digital tools, the feminist movement has embraced digital media as an important field for activism. Such features as availability, low cost, anonymity, demassification, and asynchrony encourage feminists to use digital tools so as to share their thoughts, raise awareness, and mobilize people. In this study, it is purposed to examine the changes in feminist organization, actions taken in digital environments, and for what purpose the fourth wave feminist movement, which emerged with the development of digital technologies, uses digital tools and applications for activism. In this respect, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the digital representatives of Erktolia, located in Turkey and operating online, and Mor Dayanışma (Purple Solidarity) and Kadın Cinayetlerini Durduracağız Platformu (We Will Stop Femicide Platform) which operates both online and offline. As a result of the research, it can be stated that Erktolia, Mor Dayanışma and Kadın Cinayetlerini Durduracağız Platformu increase the visibility of feminism in digital environments by using digital tools and applications to inform, mobilize, interact, and organize. In addition, it is concluded that the actions carried out in digital networks, especially the hashtag actions initiated in social media tools, receive faster interaction and obtain expected results for the feminist movement.