Adolescents on YouTube: Gender Differences Regarding the Videos They Upload and Watch

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51480/1899-5101.14.2(29).7

Keywords:

YouTube, teenagers, gender, visual consumption, audience

Abstract

This study examines whether gender is a key factor when producing and uploading audio-visual content to this social network. The research has been carried out using content analysis methodology applied to a sample of 300 videos uploaded to YouTube by adolescents aged 11-17 years, which were collected and analysed during the state of emergency in Spain (13 March – 21 June of 2020) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Contents uploaded by these YouTubers are amusing, and their topics differ significantly depending on the author’s gender. Boys focus mainly on playing games, while the range of topics among girls is more diverse. There are no significant differences in the way both genders approach the topic of COVID-19. Channels oriented toward girls are protected from comments their followers might make about them, whereas boys are more exposed to members of the public who view their audio-visual productions.

Author Biographies

Rebeca Suarez-Alvarez, King Juan Carlos University

Doctor of Science in Social Communication. Member of the Research Group on Communication Society and Culture (GICOMSOC). Research Lines: communication and vulnerable audiences (in particular minors), new digital media (social networks), media literacy and digital competence.

Antonio García-Jiménez, King Juan Carlos University

Ph.D. in Information Sciences (Communication). Full Professor of Journalism (Media Studies) at Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC) (Spain). Former Dean of the Faculty of Communication Sciences at URJC (2008-2014). Main researcher of GICOMSOC research group. Main researcher or researcher on 20 projects and author of 55 impact papers.  

Manuel Montes-Vozmediano, King Juan Carlos University

Doctor of Science in Communication. Member of the Research Group on Communication Society and Culture (GICOMSOC). Research Lines: the visual communication and interaction with the media and advertising and associated social events to new forms of communication, in particular with regard to young people and adolescents.

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Published

2021-12-28

How to Cite

Suarez-Alvarez, R., García-Jiménez, A., & Montes-Vozmediano, M. (2021). Adolescents on YouTube: Gender Differences Regarding the Videos They Upload and Watch. Central European Journal of Communication, 14(2(29), 321-342. https://doi.org/10.51480/1899-5101.14.2(29).7

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Section

Scientific Papers