Social networking sites (SNS), and especially Facebook, have revolutionised patterns of language and
communication. We conducted a study to examine gender differences in language use on Facebook, by
surveying 600 undergraduate students (388 females and 207 males), and analysing males’ and females’
responses to two Facebook status updates. There were a number of gender differences in terms of public
replies to Facebook status updates. Females were significantly more likely to ‘Like’ a Facebook status
update than males, post a public reply to a Facebook status update than males and show higher levels
of emotional support than males. In contrast there were hardly any gender differences in terms of sending
private messages in response to Facebook status updates. There was no gender difference in terms of
level of emotional support in private messages. Females were more likely to send a private message than
males, but this difference was very small. The implications of these findings for explanations of gender
differences in language are discussed.
Social networking sites (SNS), and especially Facebook, have revolutionised patterns of language andcommunication. We conducted a study to examine gender differences in language use on Facebook, bysurveying 600 undergraduate students (388 females and 207 males), and analysing males’ and females’responses to two Facebook status updates. There were a number of gender differences in terms of publicreplies to Facebook status updates. Females were significantly more likely to ‘Like’ a Facebook statusupdate than males, post a public reply to a Facebook status update than males and show higher levelsof emotional support than males. In contrast there were hardly any gender differences in terms of sendingprivate messages in response to Facebook status updates. There was no gender difference in terms oflevel of emotional support in private messages. Females were more likely to send a private message thanmales, but this difference was very small. The implications of these findings for explanations of genderdifferences in language are discussed.
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