Why are people blocking celebrities on social media? Blockout 2024 explained

THOUSANDS of people are getting ready to block well-known celebrities as part of a new movement.

The mass blocking is a protest against celebrity culture in an attempt to reduce their huge followings. Here’s what we know.

What is Blockout 2024?

Blockout 2024 is being called “celebrity blockout 2024” and “digitine” and involves thousands of people coming together to block certain celebrities.

The movement is a protest against celebrity culture to block celebs who have not yet used their power to take a stance on the Israel Gaza war.

Some social media users have been circulating a list of celebrities that they think should lose followers.

Why are people blocking celebrities on social media?

The aim of blocking celebrities is to reduce the amount of followers they have which may ultimately impact their earning potential.

It has been reported that blocking someone reduces their overall engagement whereas just unfollowing them means you personally don’t see their posts.

Blocking completely cuts off all interaction with that person online.

This decreases the person’s audience size which leads social media algorithms to no longer prioritise their content.

As more people block someone their posts become less visible across the site.

Eddy Borges-Rey, an associate professor in residence at Northwestern University in Qatar told Al Jazeera: “Social media celebrities heavily rely on high visibility and engagement to attract and maintain advertising deals.”

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What started the Blockout 2024 movement?

As mentioned, it all comes down to some celebrities not talking about their stance on the Israel Gaza war despite being in a position of power.

The Blockout movement first began after the Met Gala on May 6, 2024.

Since then photos have circulated comparing celebrities dressed to the nines in expensive outfits to the destruction in Gaza.

Each event ticket cost those who attended $75,000 each.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 35,000 people have been killed in the conflict since October 2023.

United Nations World Food Programme head Cindy McCain said Northern Gaza was experiencing a “full blown famine”.

How have people reacted to Blockout 2024?

Thousands of people are planning on blocking celebrities online.

The hashtag has already been used more than 29,000 times on TikTok.

Those who are taking part in the movement are planning to block celebrities on multiple platforms such as Instagram, X and TikTok.

People have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to talk about the situation.

One said: “The downfall of celebrity culture has begun and we’re here for it #blockout2024.”

As a second wrote: “One good side-effect from #BlockOut2024, hopefully, is our realisation that we don’t have to be obsessed over celebrities and influencers.”

Meanwhule, TikToker @ladyfromtheoutside, who coined the term “digitine”, said: “We gave them their platforms.

“It’s time to take it back – take our views away, our likes, our comments, our money – by blocking them on all social media platforms.”