Background of the study
The rise of social media platforms has fostered a new era of digital activism and cultural expression in Nigeria. Hashtag trends on platforms such as Twitter and Instagram serve as powerful tools for mobilizing public opinion, shaping cultural narratives, and driving social change (Akinlade, 2023). This study examines the comparative dynamics of hashtag movements across these platforms, focusing on how each environment influences linguistic practices and public discourse. On Twitter, hashtags often encapsulate political protests and social campaigns in succinct forms, while Instagram hashtags tend to reflect lifestyle trends and aesthetic narratives (Okeke, 2024). The interplay between these platforms creates a complex tapestry of digital communication, where hashtag trends not only unify users but also delineate distinct linguistic and cultural identities (Eze, 2023). This research analyzes how the affordances of each platform contribute to the evolution of hashtag usage, exploring differences in user engagement, narrative construction, and cultural resonance. By investigating these trends, the study aims to provide insights into the broader implications of digital activism and language innovation in Nigerian society (Ibrahim, 2024).
Statement of the problem
Although hashtag trends have become a ubiquitous part of Nigerian social media culture, there is a lack of comparative studies examining their impact across different platforms. The unique characteristics of Twitter and Instagram create varying conditions for hashtag use and linguistic expression, yet current research has not adequately addressed these differences (Nwosu, 2023). This gap hinders a holistic understanding of digital communication and its cultural ramifications. The study seeks to clarify how platform-specific features shape hashtag trends and their role in fostering public discourse. The insufficient empirical evidence on the comparative impact of these trends necessitates further investigation into their socio-cultural and linguistic dimensions (Obi, 2024).
Objectives of the study
Research questions
Significance of the study
The study is significant as it provides a comparative analysis of hashtag trends on Twitter and Instagram, offering insights into the diverse mechanisms of digital activism and language innovation. The findings will enhance understanding of how social media platforms shape public discourse and cultural identities, benefiting researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in digital communication and sociolinguistics (Afolabi, 2023).
Scope and limitations of the study
This study is limited to the analysis of hashtag trends on Twitter and Instagram within the Nigerian digital landscape. It focuses exclusively on the linguistic and cultural aspects of hashtag usage and does not extend to other social media platforms or offline practices.
Definitions of terms
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