Following the Tim singer case: How to idolize in a civilized way?

Following the controversy surrounding singer Tim's video, the issue of idol worship on social media has been raised once again. According to media experts, admiring an artist is not only a matter of personal freedom but also requires responsible behavior.

After singer Tim posted a video of himself using an Argentina national team jersey to wipe his car while wearing a Portugal national team jersey, social media quickly erupted in debate. Some viewed it simply as a way of showing admiration for their idol, but many others argued that the action was offensive and disrespectful to fans of other teams. The controversy quickly spread beyond the video, becoming a hot topic of discussion across multiple platforms.

This story has led many to question: where is the line between expressing love for idols and actions that could inadvertently increase conflict and extremism within online fan communities?

The allure of the "attention economy "

Speaking to Thanh Nien newspaper , Master's degree holder Tran Xuan Tien (journalism and media expert, Van Hien University) said that, on the surface, this is a story about how a celebrity expresses affection for their idol. However, from a media perspective, the incident also reflects how the "attention economy" operates on digital platforms.

According to him, social media platforms are now fiercely competing to retain users and increase engagement. Therefore, algorithms often prioritize distributing content that evokes strong emotions. This is also why controversial or confrontational topics between fan communities tend to spread quickly and attract more attention.

Singer Tim sparks controversy for using an Argentina national team jersey to clean his car.

Photo: Screenshot

However, according to Master's student Tran Xuan Tien, one should not hastily assume that all celebrities intentionally create controversy to attract views. What is more important is the media impact that each piece of content can create after it is posted.

"A jersey, logo, or image is not just an ordinary object, but also a spiritual symbol of an entire community. When these symbols are used in a way that offends others, the public will no longer see it as simply an individual act, but will interpret it as a communication message," he analyzed.

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According to experts, when content is built on symbols of confrontation rather than dialogue, it easily triggers factionalism. The discussion therefore quickly shifts from exchanging viewpoints to attacking each other.

In this context, the operating mechanisms of social networks further exacerbate the controversy. According to him, the algorithm itself does not create conflict, but tends to amplify controversial content because it keeps users engaged longer and generates more comments and shares.

"The worrying thing is that when controversial content consistently achieves high engagement, many people will develop the mindset that to get attention, they must create conflict. Over time, this could become a negative norm in the online environment," he remarked.

According to Master's student Tran Xuan Tien, in the digital environment, being noticed does not equate to being trusted. A sustainable communication strategy should aim to build trust and positive values ​​for the community, rather than simply chasing interaction rates.

Having an idol doesn't mean belittling others.

Discussing the line between expressing love for an idol and actions that might be considered disrespectful to others, experts suggest that the issue isn't about who you love, but rather how you choose to express that affection.

He emphasized that everyone has the right to admire an artist, player, or team. However, that admiration should be expressed by honoring the positive values ​​of their idol, rather than belittling or ridiculing what other communities cherish.

"In my opinion, true idol worship isn't about loving someone more than others, but about loving them with respect. If affection for an idol is based on harming another community, then that expression deviates from the beautiful spirit of fan culture," he said.

Assessing the role of celebrities, Master's student Tran Xuan Tien believes that freedom of expression must always be accompanied by media responsibility, because every piece of content they post can create an impact that extends beyond the scope of a personal account.

According to him, before sharing potentially controversial content, celebrities should ask themselves three questions: Does the content open up dialogue or only incite confrontation? Does the media impact outweigh the potential social consequences? And if young people emulate this behavior, will the media environment become more positive or negative?

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"Sustainable influence doesn't come from constantly creating controversy, but from the ability to build trust. Credibility is always a more valuable media asset than any fleeting interaction," he emphasized.

For young people, experts suggest that the concept of idols also needs to change. Idols are not people to be protected at all costs, but rather people who inspire individuals to improve themselves.

In addition, users need to equip themselves with digital communication skills such as knowing how to verify information, understanding how platforms operate, and thinking carefully before commenting on or sharing offensive content.

"A civilized fan community isn't measured by how noisy they are or their ability to create trends, but by the positive values ​​they contribute to society. When fans respect differences and behave responsibly online, that's the most positive meaning of idolizing someone," he shared.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tu-vu-ca-si-tim-than-tuong-sao-cho-van-minh-185260629183818429.htm