Filipinos' Gender and Age Representation in Facebook: A Deviation from a Patriarchal Society According to Facebook statistics for the Philippines[1], within the last six months the total number of Facebook users in the country is estimated to be 16,492,880. This accounts for approximately 16.51% of the total population, and 55.53% of online users. Of these, 47.3% (7,799,240) are males and 52.2% (8,604,220) are females. The dominant age group is 18-24 years old, comprising 44.38% of the users, followed by 25-34 with 23.93%, 13-17 at 19.25%, 35-54 with 11.40% and the remaining 1.04% consisting of 55-64 age group.[2] This indicates clearly that the youth, 18-34 (63.81%), are the major users of Facebook in the Philippines, while teenagers (13-17) are definitely following suit. For the most part, female comprised the Facebook populace.
Similarities and Differences In terms of intent or purpose of engagement with Facebook, there are no significant differences between male and female, or across age groups. It is generally for social connection – building social network, and creating new friendships. Females are said to be most likely to author slightly higher numbers of postings than men, and these are usually about family relationships and romantic relationships. It is also assumed that because women are more open in expressing their emotions, and are capable of positive emotions, they are most effective social network users than their counterparts. However, this might be debated by gay men who would claim having the same emotional capacity and are said to be the earliest groups to join SNS. [3]. Teenagers and youths are usually subscribers of the various FB applications such as games, chat, online gallery, etc., and would likely to dismiss security and privacy concerns, unlike adults who are mostly privacy conscious: 60% restrict access to their profiles so that only their friends can see them, and 58% of adult social network users restrict access to certain content within their profiles. [4] What further encourages both sexes and people across age groups to continue engaging in SNS such as Facebook is its impartiality -- everyone becomes equal online. Comments are posted without minding gender or age differences. And because people are less inhibited online, they can express themselves freely. Similarly, FB users from all walks of life can equally participate in various applications like games e.g. Farmville, or chat, without biases for and against age and gender. FB also usually affords the user the feeling of having a certain sophistication in terms of communication technology.
This platform likewise closes the gap between ages or generations as one gets a glimpse of how certain generations relate or respond to each other through the exhanges or postings among contacts of the same age group. Clearly, it helps people understand the nuances and appreciate the uniquenesses of the different generations—as well as of gender differences, for that matter. As such, it facilitates communication and interaction among age groups.
Issues And Concerns
On the contrary, certain issues or concerns could arise from such a setting or arrangement.
The feeling of discomfort among teenagers and youth being in the same network with parents or other family members.
In a study on the attitude of US teen influencers toward their parents being on the same social network, a majority of younger teens reportedly hate it or feel annoyed or nervous when their parents are on the same social network, but among more mature 18- and 19-year-olds that percentage falls to 27%.[5] More often than not, parents are “defriended” to address this concern. Inappropriate or offensive postings Since there is clearly a blurring of ages and gender in Facebook, the chances of indirect inappropriate or offensive postings being made are more likely. But that is the price of the neutrality of the platform. Trolling This is a case of using FB to emotionally abuse individuals. This can be manifested in different forms like defacement of a deceased person’s tribute page, name calling, playing online pranks on volatile individuals, and controversial coments with the intention to cause anger and arguments.**[6]** This could happen to anyone, and can be caused by even a slight provocation or a simple miscommunication among users, since the majority of users are youth, who are generally lacking in experience and wisdom, and are aggressive by nature. Online bullying Because of the lack of control or limitations to what can be uploaded or posted, some FB users take advantage of this by putting up offensive remarks and pictures which could cause emotional pain and trauma to targeted individuals.**[7]** Teenagers are usually the targets of this action, being innocent and having no ability to fight back. Stunted interpersonal skills or poor communication skills The addictive nature of the SNS/Facebook, and relying heavily on it as a means of communication, could hamper the development of interpersonal skills. And because the interaction is transitory and messages are brief, the interface among individuals becomes superficial.
The most troubling of the issues are the abuse that the Filipino young are exposed to. Trolling and bullying are acts beyond the user’s control or inflicted on users by his or her contacts, leaving them helpless and traumatized. This is most likely to happen among teenagers, and younger youth, especially females.
For me, nothing still beats knowledge and having enough information on how to properly use and engage in SNS or Facebook. Generally, we simply hear about FB from a friend or a family member, and without acquainting oneself with the FB usage procedures, rules and privacy settings, we go ahead, sign up and create a profile. That is how most users and especially teenagers and youths come into FB.
We cannot discount the possibility of more individuals joining FB blindly, and it is a fact that SNS/FB is here to stay and could definitely be utilized for other purposes like education or learning processes, collaboration on certain activities or project, and the like. Therefore, it is of utmost necessity to orient new users, as well as FB users, particularly teenagers and the youth about SNS/FB.
These can be addressed by introducing and mainstreaming SNS or FB in elementary and high school curriculum. This topic can be part of computer classes that are now one of the subjects in both levels. In this way, the students are made aware of how SNS/FB works, how to properly engage and behave in SNS/FB, what are the pros and cons, as well as the privacy and security settings of SNS/FB.
A code of conduct and guidelines in engaging in SNS/FB for Filipinos should be developed and prescribed for all Filipino FB users. A Filipino translation of these guidelines should also be available. A simplified version and visually appealing multimedia material for all ages should pop up for several seconds every time an FB user signs in. In this way, it is difficult to ignore the message or warning, for that matter.
However, at the end of the day, it is still the individual who should do the balancing act between his/her public and private life -- how much of it should be revealed or how much of it to hide from public. We should take responsibility for our actions and decisions.
According to Facebook statistics for the Philippines[1], within the last six months the total number of Facebook users in the country is estimated to be 16,492,880. This accounts for approximately 16.51% of the total population, and 55.53% of online users. Of these, 47.3% (7,799,240) are males and 52.2% (8,604,220) are females.
The dominant age group is 18-24 years old, comprising 44.38% of the users, followed by 25-34 with 23.93%, 13-17 at 19.25%, 35-54 with 11.40% and the remaining 1.04% consisting of 55-64 age group.[2] This indicates clearly that the youth, 18-34 (63.81%), are the major users of Facebook in the Philippines, while teenagers (13-17) are definitely following suit. For the most part, female comprised the Facebook populace.
Similarities and Differences
In terms of intent or purpose of engagement with Facebook, there are no significant differences between male and female, or across age groups. It is generally for social connection – building social network, and creating new friendships.
Females are said to be most likely to author slightly higher numbers of postings than men, and these are usually about family relationships and romantic relationships. It is also assumed that because women are more open in expressing their emotions, and are capable of positive emotions, they are most effective social network users than their counterparts. However, this might be debated by gay men who would claim having the same emotional capacity and are said to be the earliest groups to join SNS. [3].
Teenagers and youths are usually subscribers of the various FB applications such as games, chat, online gallery, etc., and would likely to dismiss security and privacy concerns, unlike adults who are mostly privacy conscious: 60% restrict access to their profiles so that only their friends can see them, and 58% of adult social network users restrict access to certain content within their profiles. [4]
What further encourages both sexes and people across age groups to continue engaging in SNS such as Facebook is its impartiality -- everyone becomes equal online. Comments are posted without minding gender or age differences. And because people are less inhibited online, they can express themselves freely.
Similarly, FB users from all walks of life can equally participate in various applications like games e.g. Farmville, or chat, without biases for and against age and gender. FB also usually affords the user the feeling of having a certain sophistication in terms of communication technology.
This platform likewise closes the gap between ages or generations as one gets a glimpse of how certain generations relate or respond to each other through the exhanges or postings among contacts of the same age group. Clearly, it helps people understand the nuances and appreciate the uniquenesses of the different generations—as well as of gender differences, for that matter. As such, it facilitates communication and interaction among age groups.
Issues And Concerns
On the contrary, certain issues or concerns could arise from such a setting or arrangement.
The feeling of discomfort among teenagers and youth being in the same network with parents or other family members.
In a study on the attitude of US teen influencers toward their parents being on the same social
network, a majority of younger teens reportedly hate it or feel annoyed or nervous when their
parents are on the same social network, but among more mature 18- and 19-year-olds that percentage falls to 27%.[5] More often than not, parents are “defriended” to address this concern.
Inappropriate or offensive postings
Since there is clearly a blurring of ages and gender in Facebook, the chances of indirect inappropriate or offensive postings being made are more likely. But that is the price of the neutrality of the platform.
Trolling
This is a case of using FB to emotionally abuse individuals. This can be manifested in different forms like defacement of a deceased person’s tribute page, name calling, playing online pranks on volatile individuals, and controversial coments with the intention to cause anger and arguments.**[6]** This could happen to anyone, and can be caused by even a slight provocation or a simple miscommunication among users, since the majority of users are youth, who are generally lacking in experience and wisdom, and are aggressive by nature.
Online bullying
Because of the lack of control or limitations to what can be uploaded or posted, some FB users take advantage of this by putting up offensive remarks and pictures which could cause emotional pain and trauma to targeted individuals.**[7]** Teenagers are usually the targets of this action, being innocent and having no ability to fight back.
Stunted interpersonal skills or poor communication skills
The addictive nature of the SNS/Facebook, and relying heavily on it as a means of communication, could hamper the development of interpersonal skills. And because the interaction is transitory and messages are brief, the interface among individuals becomes superficial.
The most troubling of the issues are the abuse that the Filipino young are exposed to. Trolling and bullying are acts beyond the user’s control or inflicted on users by his or her contacts, leaving them helpless and traumatized. This is most likely to happen among teenagers, and younger youth, especially females.
For me, nothing still beats knowledge and having enough information on how to properly use and engage in SNS or Facebook. Generally, we simply hear about FB from a friend or a family member, and without acquainting oneself with the FB usage procedures, rules and privacy settings, we go ahead, sign up and create a profile. That is how most users and especially teenagers and youths come into FB.
We cannot discount the possibility of more individuals joining FB blindly, and it is a fact that SNS/FB is here to stay and could definitely be utilized for other purposes like education or learning processes, collaboration on certain activities or project, and the like. Therefore, it is of utmost necessity to orient new users, as well as FB users, particularly teenagers and the youth about SNS/FB.
These can be addressed by introducing and mainstreaming SNS or FB in elementary and high school curriculum. This topic can be part of computer classes that are now one of the subjects in both levels. In this way, the students are made aware of how SNS/FB works, how to properly engage and behave in SNS/FB, what are the pros and cons, as well as the privacy and security settings of SNS/FB.
A code of conduct and guidelines in engaging in SNS/FB for Filipinos should be developed and prescribed for all Filipino FB users. A Filipino translation of these guidelines should also be available. A simplified version and visually appealing multimedia material for all ages should pop up for several seconds every time an FB user signs in. In this way, it is difficult to ignore the message or warning, for that matter.
However, at the end of the day, it is still the individual who should do the balancing act between his/her public and private life -- how much of it should be revealed or how much of it to hide from public. We should take responsibility for our actions and decisions.
References
[1] http://www.facebakers.com/countries-with-facebook/PH/, retrieved 23, September 2010
[2] http://www.greyreview.com/2010/03/02/facebook-in-asia-total-users-and-age-groups-latest-stats/, retrieved 23 September 2010
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_differences_in_social_network_service_use
[4] http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2009/Adults-and-Social-Network-Websites.aspx
[5] http://www.futurelab.net/blogs/marketing-strategy- innovation/2010/07/what_teens_think_ when_parents_.html
[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_network_service
[7] Ibid.