Manifestation of Misogynic Connotations in Digital Age: an Empirical Study of Social Media Users in the Context of Gender Trolling Shantharaju S1,*, Vagdevi H.S.2 1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Media Studies, Christ University, Bengaluru 2Project Fellow, UGC UPE FA – II, University of Mysore, Mysuru *Corresponding Author Email: shantharajus7@gmail.com
Online published on 24 May, 2018. Abstract Despite growing voices for gender equality there persists gender inequalities in many areas of life manifested through gender stereotypes and gendered constructions of both male and female. In all, these gendered social structures restrict the ability to participate fully be it male or female. It is clear in this digital world that Internet has created new opportunities and has created platforms for various social discussions, debates, and interactions. Not to forget, it has also constructed new combat zone for exhibiting worst human behavior. The ingraining of already existing and even constructing new social, gendered roles through the internet and more so social media seem less. A one whole day examine of forwards on FB, WA and other Social media platforms makes it very clear and pronounced that how many of these messages are exchanged daily and going by the Walter Lippmann ideology, we are indeed ‘manufacturing consent’ and cultivating an everyday world. In India, there are 432 million internet users in December 2016, as per the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IMRB) report. As per Jaydip Parikh, CEO of TEjSolPro, 120 million of all Indian Internet users are college students. In this scenario, the research took up an initial survey among 300 college students based on non – probability sampling to understand the readings of younger generation towards such messages and their driving out of it. The study is carried out in Bangalore and Mysore among the college students aged between 20 – 25 years. The results of which will be discussed are discussed in the following chapters. Top Keywords Misogyny, Internet, Gender, Social Construct, Trolling. Top |