Internet Subcultures are communities that form and exist primarily online, using the internet as their main way to connect and express themselves. They share some characteristics with traditional subcultures, but they are different in their own right due to their online nature. These communities often challenge our usual ideas of what a community is and how it functions, since members might be spread out all over the world but still feel closely connected through shared online experiences. Internet subcultures come, go, or change really quicky. They tend to be more flexible and have less rigid rules than subcultures that exist in real life.
Members of internet subcultures can express themselves in many ways, like using specific social media platforms, online forums, or participating in niche communities really dedicated to a specific topic, such as memes or internet-based music genres. There's some debate about whether these online communities are "real" subcultures, as some people think they lack the history and real-world impact of traditional subcultures. However, they are still influential on how people form their identities and interact with each other.
The earliest internet subcultures were often controversial in nature. Some examples include Incels, characterized by their "inability to get a romantic partner" and misogynistic views, Lolicore, a microgenre that originated in 4chan with the intention to parody Otaku culture, and Nerdcore music, which has been around since the late-1990s. However, as social media spaces are constantly evolving, other groups have emerged, and the connotation with shock value is no longer as common. More recent examples include Doomers, characterized by their pessimistic views, or fandom groups such as K-pop and Drain.
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