Communication 229SIDEBAR 7.2:Online Communication
Today, we have many more forms of communication than face to face or even telephone. We
communicate with one another on cell phones via text and on computers via email, instant mes-
saging, and social networking sites. There are some similarities and differences in the ways that
females and males communicate. Here, we discuss communication via computer, via phones,
and then via social networking sites.
Regarding computers, females and males are equally likely to use the Internet, regardless of
whether they are children or adults (Jackson, Zhao, Qiu et al., 2008; Ohannessian, 2009). Nearly
three-fourths (74%) of adults use the Internet at least three to five times a week (Pew, 2010). How-
ever, there are race differences in usage that interact with sex. Among Caucasians, there is no sex
difference in Internet usage but Black women use the Internet more than Black men (Jackson et al.,
2010; Jackson, Zhao, Kolenic et al., 2008). Despite the similarities in Internet usage, females and
males spend their time on computers somewhat differently. Among both children and adults, fe-
males are more likely than males to use computers for writing and for communication by email or
instant messaging, whereas males are much more likely than females to play videogames (Jackson,
Zhao, Kolenic et al., 2008; Jackson, Zhao, Qiu et al., 2008; Ohannessian, 2009; Rideout, Foehr, &
Roberts, 2010). Many of these sex differences extend to other countries such as China, the United
Kingdom, and Turkey (Akman & Mishra, 2010; Jackson, Zhao, Qiu et al., 2008; Li & Kirkup, 2007).
Although females engage in more online communication than males, the content of those commu-
nication are more similar than different. Female online communication contains more references
to emotion (Fox et al., 2007) and more nonverbal cues or emotions, such as 6 (Ledbetter & Larson,
2008). However, these cues have no impact on receiver satisfaction with the message.
Cell phone usage is a form of communication that is increasing exponentially—especially
among teens. Whereas 45% of teens ages 12–17 had cell phones in 2004, the figure rose to 71% in
2008 and is projected to be 85% in 2009 (Lenhart, 2009). Females and males are equally likely to
use a cell phone. There are no ethnic or racial differences in cell phone ownership but higher so-
cioeconomic status teens are more likely to own phones. Among teens, cell phones are not used
for talking as much as they are texting (see Figure 7.4). Today, texting on cell phones is the num-
ber one way that teens—girls and boys—communicate with one another (Lenhart et al., 2010).
Cell phone texting exceeds email, instant messaging, talking in person, talking on the phone, and
social networking sites. Three-quarters of teens between the ages of 12 and 17 have cell phones
and one-third of those who do not have had one at one time. A majority (75%) have unlimited
text, which is a good thing because one-third send over 100 text messages per day. Females aver-
age 80 texts per day, whereas males average 30 texts per day.
A more novel way of communicating is via an online profile on a social networking site, such
as Facebook or MySpace. One-third of adults, male and female alike, have an online profile (Pew,
2009b). Among teens of ages 12–17, girls are slightly more likely than boys to use a social network-
ing site (58% vs. 51%; Lenhart & Madden, 2007). Females and males use these sites somewhat dif-
ferently. Females are more likely to use the sites to communicate with existing friends, whereas
males are more likely to use the sites to flirt and make new friends. Females and males present
themselves in ways that are consistent with gender-role norms, males emphasizing their power and
strength and females emphasizing their sociability and physical attractiveness (Manago et al., 2008).
In the end, technological advances have made it easier for people to communicate with one
another. Never before have people been so accessible. It remains to be seen what the impact of this
communication is on the nature of relationships, and if the effects vary for males and females.M07_HELG0185_04_SE_C07.indd 229 6/21/11 8:11 AM