Social media’s incessant connectivity cultivates a vibrant digital landscape centred around shared interests. Though these fandoms offer a sense of belonging, they also pose risks due to the unchecked dissemination of toxic practices - harmful rhetoric, intolerance, and hateful speech. Beyond Fandom offers a meticulous exploration of online communication in social media, providing insights into online discourse and a timely perspective on the evolving nature of communication.

Standing out for its deliberate and comprehensive engagement with fan studies and toxic fan practices within the context of contemporary online communication, this collection situates fan communities at the forefront, not only meticulously investigating the broader impact of social media on contemporary society, but also delving into an in-depth exploration of the dynamics inherent to fan practices within these digital spaces. Integrating perspectives from Information Technology, Communication Studies, Sociology and more, the collection captures the complexities of how online fan communities’ function, communicate, and influence the evolving digital landscape. By centralising fan studies, this collection provides a crucial lens through which to understand the capability of fan practices to shape the trajectory of online communication. It provides a nuanced understanding of the interplay between social media and contemporary society.

Providing a thorough exploration of online discourse and focusing on the “always on” nature of social media and the dynamics of fandom, this is compelling reading for scholars of digital communication.

Natalie Le Clue is a media lecturer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa. She specialises in fan studies, and her research specifically explores toxic fan practices and their effects within fan communities and media environments. Notably, Dr Le Clue has conducted research that explores toxic fan practices in political fandoms, offering insights into their manifestation and impact on online discourse.