Social Networks

            Facebook is a social networking site that allows users to create profiles or pages, allowing them to maintain contact with friends and family.  In addition, users are allowed to “blog” about anything they are feeling, which always their "friends" on Facebook to see the post and comment on it.  Overall, users post about feelings and thoughts in an effort to portray themselves to others as they see fit.

            When I was browsing through Facebook the other day, I noticed that my “friends” usually post pictures or activities they have partaken in.  For example, people usually post about a crazy party they went to the night before or big events that happened over the weekend such as fraternity or sorority events, a professional game they went to, or a concert they attended.  Many of the post are created to elicit a response from people that view it.  In addition, I believe that many of the posts I see on my news feed are highly gendered.  To elaborate, women usually post selfies or a picture of themselves wearing a new outfit they recently purchased.  Many of the pictures are highly sexualized and involve an appearance that would not be seen under normal conditions.  It is a rare occurrence so they decide to post a picture about it on Facebook.  Furthermore, they post pictures of themselves hanging out with their girlfriends.  In comparison, men usually post more masculine pictures and posts about being at the gym, pictures of taking vehicles off-roading, or posts about sporting events.  The pictures and posts are more rugged and characteristic of a masculine man.  However, pictures that are always posted and seem to be gender neutral are about parties and drinking. 

            Overall, I believe people create a type of virtual personality when they constantly use social media sites such as Facebook.  The user aims to represent themselves as they want to be viewed in the eyes of their “friends.”  In my own opinion, I feel all the posts on Facebook are an effort to elicit a response from other Facebook users.  Many of the posts are created sitting behind a screen and are not what you would see on a normal occurrence.  I feel the users want to give off a personality that will be accepted by others and to communicate over the internet, not person to person.  Everyone assumes a role of being a woman (over sexualized pictures, emotional posts, crazy parties, etc.) or being a man (working out, sporting events, drinking etc.).  For this reason, I believe that Facebook is highly gendered and users create virtual personalities that will be accepted by others.