Gender in Online Communities

Gender in Online Communities

Ellen ArmstrongLIS 60644

March 11, 2008

Ellen ArmstrongLIS 60644

March 11, 2008

History of Online Community

History of Online Community

Usenet Internet Relay Chat MUDs

Usenet Internet Relay Chat MUDs

UsenetUsenet

Online CommunityOnline Community

Definition Share a common language Shared web of virtual & textual

significances that are Substitutes for/distinct from wider

community

Definition Share a common language Shared web of virtual & textual

significances that are Substitutes for/distinct from wider

community

Shared meaning & significances

Shared meaning & significances

Internet Access By GenderInternet Access By Gender

www.pewinternet.org More men that only access web

from home More women that only access web

from work Men spend more time online,

regardless of location

www.pewinternet.org More men that only access web

from home More women that only access web

from work Men spend more time online,

regardless of location

Internet Use by GenderInternet Use by Gender

Email and product purchase have no bias

Men: spend more time surfing for fun, for financial information

Women: more time on travel info, health info, research for school

Biases more pronounced at home

Email and product purchase have no bias

Men: spend more time surfing for fun, for financial information

Women: more time on travel info, health info, research for school

Biases more pronounced at home

Internet Use By GenderInternet Use By Gender

Different ways of using Women send/use more email, chat, IM,

egreetings & internet phone calls and more likely to use it for personal More likely to visit online communities

for health issues or email family/friends about health issues

Different ways of using Women send/use more email, chat, IM,

egreetings & internet phone calls and more likely to use it for personal More likely to visit online communities

for health issues or email family/friends about health issues

Online PerceptionsOnline Perceptions

Study of self-confidence in internet skills

Men rated themselves more highly than women in 4 different areas

Particularly hardware & troubleshooting

Study of self-confidence in internet skills

Men rated themselves more highly than women in 4 different areas

Particularly hardware & troubleshooting

Perceptions - MyspacePerceptions - Myspace

Content analysis on Lexis/Nexis using “myspace”, “victim” and “boy/girl”

Girls as victims of sexual predators (myspace as a tool)

Provocative photos & of girls attracts predators

Boys as threats/victimizer

Content analysis on Lexis/Nexis using “myspace”, “victim” and “boy/girl”

Girls as victims of sexual predators (myspace as a tool)

Provocative photos & of girls attracts predators

Boys as threats/victimizer

Anthropology of Online Communities

Anthropology of Online Communities

Not a utopia: groups still disenfranchised (class, gender, etc.)

Focus on user communication, not technology

Constructed identity: not separate from real world

Not a utopia: groups still disenfranchised (class, gender, etc.)

Focus on user communication, not technology

Constructed identity: not separate from real world

Gender in information technology revolutionGender in information technology revolution

Context: 19th century mass media growth, 1960’s feminist networks

Both had personal networks & ephemeral texts

Predominantly female spaces vs. intentionally feminist spaces

Context: 19th century mass media growth, 1960’s feminist networks

Both had personal networks & ephemeral texts

Predominantly female spaces vs. intentionally feminist spaces

Further ResourcesFurther Resources

http://del.icio.us/ellen_a_/lis60644+gender

http://del.icio.us/ellen_a_/lis60644+gender