Snapchat and affective inequalities: affective flows in a schooling assemblage

Abstract

<p>Gendered power relations and cyber-objectification can be produced through Snapchat in schooling contexts. The research illustrates how social media circulates affect in an Australian high school setting. While "Snapchatting" can evoke joy, it can produce gendered inequities. This research details affective inequalities associated with Snapchat use. Affective inequalities ("lad culture", "rape culture" and "everyday sexism") are produced through texts, images and videos and are normalised through the gendered material-discursive relations in schools. Through making new material entanglements visible, the subtle sexist practices associated with misogyny in schools can be surfaced and recognised. Explicit critiques of misogyny are required to support gender equity in schools. This article contributes to the literature both as new material school-based research, and as an exploration of the gendered implications of Snapchat technology use among young people. It addresses the need to challenge masculine sexual entitlement, both online and in schools.</p>