Digitalsplaining

A form of Digitallighting that mimics the structure of mansplaining but operates in digital spaces: a person (often with more perceived status, platform, or algorithmic reach) explains the target’s own experiences, ideas, or feelings back to them, usually incorrectly, while dismissing the target’s actual words. Digitalsplaining is used to assert dominance, reframe narratives, and gaslight the target into questioning their own expertise or reality. It often involves long threads where the splainer “corrects” the target with obvious or irrelevant information, framing the target as ignorant.

Example: “She posted about her own fieldwork experience; a random user with no background explained to her what she ‘really’ observed. Digitalsplaining: using the platform to overwrite someone’s lived reality.”

Digitalsplaining by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 25, 2026