1. Avatars in Adolescent Chat Spaces Lois Ann Scheidt School of Library and Information Science Indiana University

2. Avatars – What are they?

3. Research Questions What types of avatars do adolescents use in graphical chat spaces? How is gender represented in these avatars?

4. Methodology – General Chat Room The chat site chosen consists of 180+ chatrooms. 24 chatrooms designated for General Chat and populated by adolescents. Each room had a capacity of 30 participants. The total General Chat participation regularly exceeds 200 participants.

5. Methodology – Chatroom Selection Five General Chatrooms were selected for this study based on: The consistent use of avatars. Regularity of five or more participants around the clock.

6. Methodology – Data Collection The day was divided into 4 time blocks. Data was collected in 1 hour increments. 2 hours of data was collected in each time block. Individual avatars were collected and saved for analysis.

7. Methodology - Analysis Content Analysis. Coding scheme was developed during an earlier pilot study.

8. Methodology – Avatar Coding Scheme Two sets of forced choice (exclusive) selections were made to: Humanoid/other pictured in the avatar: Humanoid - female, male, female(s) and male(s), and unknown gender, or Other - non-human, and graphical.

9. Methodology – Avatar Coding Scheme Advertising Angels, pixies, etc Animated Avatar is drawing Avatar is photo Baggy clothing Celebrities, musicians, actors, etc Combination construction Compound construction

10. Methodology – Avatar Coding Scheme Coy gaze Drug, smoking, alcohol Exaggerated secondary sexual characteristics Eyes obscured Figures in action Gore and/or blood Guns, swords, spears, armor, etc Humanoid group (3 or more) Membership or group tags

11. Methodology – Avatar Coding Scheme Nickname superimposed on avatar Nudity Pornographic Race – Asian, Black, Hispanic, White, Unknown Revealing Dress Sexually suggestive Superheroes, vampires, supernatural figures Trappings of childhood

12. Findings - General 1296 unique nicknames. 28.2% (n=365) of the nicknames used avatars. 312 unique avatars were collected. Moderators were removed from the analysis as they must be 21.

13. Findings – Humanoid Avatar Categories 92.3% (n=288) Humanoid 46.2% (n=144) Female 32.1% (n=100) Males 2.6% (n=8) Female(s) and Male(s) 11.5% (n=36) Unknown Gender

14. Findings – Other Avatar Categories 7.7% (n=27) Other 1.6% (n=5) Non-Human 6.1% (n=19) Graphical

15. Findings – Race of Avatar

16. Findings – Drawing or Photo

17. Findings – Female Avatars Combination/compound avatars or avatars with nicknames superimposed on a photo or drawing. 31.3% (n=45).

18. Findings – Female Avatars Coy gaze. 75.0% (n=108).

19. Findings – Female Avatars Exaggerated secondary sexual characteristics. 36.8% (n=53).

20. Findings – Female Avatars Nudity & revealing clothing. 50.0% (n=72).

21. Findings – Male Avatars Baggy clothing. 35.0% (n=35).

22. Findings – Male Avatars Combination/compound avatars or avatars with nicknames superimposed on a photo or drawing. 32.0% (n=32).

23. Findings – Male Avatars Eyes obscured. 33.0% (n=33).

24. Findings – Male Avatars Figures in action & superheroes, vampires, supernatural figures & animated. 40.0% (n=40).

25. Findings – Male Avatars Guns, swords, spears, armor, etc & gore & drug, smoking, alcohol. 38.0% (n=38).

26. Findings – Both Female(s) and Male(s) Avatars Combination/compound avatars or avatars with nicknames superimposed on a photo or drawing. 75.0%% (n=6).

27. Findings – Both Female(s) and Male(s) Avatars Baggy clothing. Coy gaze. Eyes obscured. 37.5% (n=3).

28. Findings – Both Female(s) and Male(s) Avatars Nudity & revealing clothing. 50.0%% (n=4).

29. Findings – Unknown Gender Baggy clothing. 30.6% (n=11).

30. Findings – Unknown Gender Combination/compound avatars or avatars with nicknames superimposed on a photo or drawing. 33.3% (n=12).

31. Findings – Non-Human Combination/compound avatars or avatars with nicknames superimposed on a photo or drawing. 60.0% (n=6).

32. Findings – Non-Human Figures in action & superheroes, vampires, supernatural figures & animated. 60.0% (n=6).

33. Findings – Graphical Combination/compound avatars or avatars with nicknames superimposed on a photo or drawing. 47.4% (n=9).

34. Interpretation - Ritualized subordination Females adopting postures which indicate submission to control by others. Seductive glances. Sexually suggestive. Revealing clothing. Idealized bodies (Exaggerated Secondary Sexual Characteristics).

35. Interpretation – Psychological Withdrawal Attention drifts away. Distancing/ obscuring of self. Eyes Obscured. Baggy Clothing.

36. Interpretation – Markers of Masculinity Influence of gaming/fantasy culture. Figures in action. Supernatural figures. Implements of destruction.

37. Interpretation – The Masculinity of Anonymity Unknown gender and non-human mirror male categories Baggy clothing supernatural figures

38. Further Research Questions Raised by the Study Gender Issues Related to: Creators of the avatars. Those that maintain the avatar libraries.