Social media challenges as an intersection between Internet memes and traditional challenges: a conceptual analysis

The article contributes to the conceptual understanding of Social Media Challenges (SMCs). While many empirical studies focus on the content and impact of such challenges, there is limited literature that examines these phenomena conceptually. This theoretical article conceptualizes SMCs as an intersection of Internet memes and traditional challenges. Employing an etymological and historical review of the concepts of challenge and meme, the study traces their historical and conceptual development and illustrates how they “blend into” social media challenges. This exploration provides insights into how these terms have been shaped over time, culminating in their current digital manifestations. By showing how these phenomena blend the viral attributes of Internet memes with the established dynamics of traditional challenges, the paper offers new perspectives on digital culture studies.