week 3 task 1 c

Without using a web cam on msn , chat rooms and facebook etc it is  easy for interactive consumers of new media to change their identity online. Our race and gender can be completely different to our real selves, we are able portray different selves online “techno-determinism”(Reading from Lister). The Internets multiple personas allows people “to go outside of the socially constructed boundaries that guide the ‘real world’ relationships" (Rudestam, 2002: 141)and so the internet provides greater freedom. However, at this stage it is important to suggest that not everyone uses these internet chat rooms etc for the same reason, mainly because not everybody wants to change their identity online. There are in fact people online who are happy with their personality and physical appearance.

Those who portray themselves by means of a different race and gender etc go on pre existing assumptions about people in society. These assumptions are created by ideology and stereotypes already imbedded into our society. With stereotypes “We are told about the world before we see it. We imagine most things before we experience them” they govern our “perception.” (Lipman in Corner and Hawthorn, 1993: 137) Therefore those who decide to change their identity online follow the stereotypes and constructions of society rather than the truth and reality. As a result people are not free online from signs. The Internet simply allows for a more worldwide representation of stereotypes, the world in the online domain to some degree magnifies the problem of stereotyping.