On the fly: How Japanese social media “watchers” improvise to counter problematic information

Abstract

Recent studies have explored how the purveyors of problematic information can mobilize online crowds by tapping into positive feelings like amusement, belonging, and optimism. Unfortunately, it is not clear how such participation and emotions can also help communities reduce the spread of problematic information. We address this gap by examining how a group of Japanese social media “watchers” monitored and countered YamatoQ, a pro-QAnon Japanese conspiracy group. We analyze interviews with 12 watchers to make empirical contributions about the how, where, and why of their activities. Participants describe a playful approach to confronting problematic information, whereby they leverage a sense of improvisation, humor, and community to meet the challenges of their work. These results extend our knowledge of volunteer efforts to address problematic information, and expand the range of perspectives represented in the literature regarding the participatory and emotional aspects of problematic information.