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ISCC 2 (3) pp. 225–242 Intellect Limited 2010
Interactions: Studies in Communication & Culture
Volume 2 Number 3
© 2010 Intellect Ltd Article. English language. doi: 10.1386/iscc.2.3.225_1
cilia Willem
University Barcelona
núria araüna
University Rovira i Virgili
lucrezia creScenzi
University Barcelona
iolanda tortajada
University Rovira i Virgili
girls on Fotolog:
reproduction of gender
stereotypes or identity play?
abStract
In recent years a great deal of contemporary research has centred its attention on
teenagers’ online presence and behaviour, thus responding to educators and parents’
increasing concerns regarding privacy and safety on the Internet. This article is the
result of an in-depth qualitative study looking at anonymous girls’ picture albums
on Fotolog, one of Spain’s most popular social networking sites (SNS). The main
goal is to gain insight into these girls’ self-representation strategies, looking at what
kind of images they choose to upload and which of the gender displays found in mass
media portrayals they incorporate. Coding was done according to Goffmanian cate-
gories of gender display and performance (feminine touch, ritualization of subordi-
nation, licensed withdrawal), combined with findings from other studies (male gaze,
representation as sexual subjects, pleasing ourselves and lesbian pose). Results show
KeyWordS
Fotolog
self-representation
gender display
identity construction
girls