Original version

BBC World Service Online

The Conversation

Factual: Life Stories

Two women from different parts of the world share the stories of their lives

Two women from different parts of the world, united by a common passion, experience or expertise, share the stories of their lives.

The Conversation: My Online Life

Internet Stars Ugaaso Abukar Boocow and Luisa Clasen

06/04/2015

My Online Life

BBC World Service - The Conversation, My Online Life

A Brazilian vlogger and a Somali social media star who share their lives online

How do you get a "troll" to apologise? From Brazil and Somalia two internet stars talk about sharing their lives online and how only 12 'likes' can "shatter" your soul

Luisa Clasen AKA Lully is a video blogger, or "vlogger" from Brazil. Her vlogs about art and culture, shot from her apartment in Rio de Janeiro, have attracted nearly 180,000 YouTube subscribers. Lully launched her channel giving fashion tips, but then refocused it on her first passion, filmmaking. Advertisers love her, so Lully's able to make a living from her online posts. She says she's nicer than the average vlogger and gives a balanced opinion, which "scares trolls". Lully doesn't use bad language, avoids politics and admits when she's wrong. It's hard for her to disconnect from her online life though, especially as her boyfriend is also a well-known vlogger in Brazil "it's a struggle for both of us to let go of our phones and just talk to each other", but they keep each other up to date with what's going on.     

Ugaaso Abukar Boocow lives in the Somali capital Mogadishu and has become a hit on social media with her pictures and videos documenting everyday life in the city. Ugaaso left Somalia during its civil war and grew up in Canada, she recently went back to live in Mogadishu and says she wants to show a side of the city that's often overlooked - the humour, beauty and beaches. Ugaaso has nearly 70,000 followers on Instagram, from inside Somalia and outside the country. Like Lully she tries to avoid politics, so she doesn't get "stuck in the middle". Ugaaso says she is "cautious" about what she posts to social media because it has a "life of its own and once it escapes your hand it can end up in anyone else's hand". 

Image: Ugaaso, credit: Ugaaso A. Boocow; Lully, credit, Lais Moss

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Conversation

My Online Life

Genres

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service