Observations of Chat Room Conversations on the Internet: Implications for Educators Addressing the Needs of Female Adolescents

Authors

Dixie Sanger, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Mitzi Ritzaman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Barbara LaCost, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Keri Stofer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Amie Long, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Marilyn L. Grady, University of Nebraska-LinolnFollow

Date of this Version

1-2005

Document Type

Article

Citation

Journal of Women in Educational Leadership, Vol. 3, No. 1-January 2005 ISSN: 1541-6224

Comments

©2003 Pro>Active Publications

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the meanings of chat room conversations through observations of teenagers using the Internet. Adolescent girls were a focus because of their shaky sense of self. Participants in ten chat rooms included 534 individuals. Six themes, emerging from analyzing 2526 utterances [descriptive statements], included (a) communicating with abbreviations and acronyms, (b) requesting/providing personal information, (c) requesting/providing pictures, (d) requesting/accepting private chats, (e) using profanity/vulgarity or sexual comments, and (f) using figurative language or sarcasm. Implications were outlined to assist educators addressing the needs of female adolescents.