Onlife identity: The question of gender and age in teenagers' online behaviour

 Sara Serrate-González, Universidad de Salamanca (Spain)

 Alberto Sánchez-Rojo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain)

 Luis-E. Andrade-Silva, Universidad de Salamanca (Spain)

 José-Manuel Muñoz-Rodríguez, Universidad de Salamanca (Spain)

https://doi.org/10.3916/C75-2023-01

Keywords

Digital identity, adolescence, social networks, digital behaviour, gender, stereotypes

Abstract

The presence of cyberspace in the lives of young people is such that we can no longer distinguish between online and offline spheres. They live a process of onlife development that is not always equitable in terms of gender. This paper aims to account for the online behaviour of Spanish adolescents according to gender and age, the decisions they make when constructing their virtual identity, and the effects that this has on them. A quantitative study has been carried out at a national level (N=2,076, 12-18 years old) following a non-experimental ex post facto design by means of a survey study. The results show that there are gender differences in the preference for one or other social network. A high percentage of girls make different choices when it comes to their online presence. Unlike boys, girls state that their virtual self and their behaviour significantly influence the opinion that they have of themselves and their need to feel integrated. In conclusion, the decisions that adolescents make when creating their virtual selves do not only have negative consequences derived from poor management, but are also plagued by mandates and stereotypes that determine how they should be and what they should do online; something that is especially pressing for girls.

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Fundref

GIPEP-Processes, Spaces and Educational Practices Research Group (GR209). University of Salamanca. This research is part of the R+D+I projects CONECT-ID (PGC2018-097884-B-I00), NATEC-ID (PID2021-122993NB-I00) and NATUR-TEC KIDS LIVINGLAB (TED2021-130300A-C22), financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

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Technical information

Received: 28-09-2022

Revised: 14-10-2022

Accepted: 29-11-2022

OnlineFirst: 30-01-2023

Publication date: 01-04-2023

Article revision time: 16 days | Average time revision issue 75: 32 days

Article acceptance time: 62 days | Average time of acceptance issue 75: 93 days

Preprint editing time: 140 days | Average editing time preprint issue 75: 171 days

Article editing time: 185 days | Average editing time issue 75: 216 days

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