Is a feminist organisation and works to advance gender equality and justice in South Africa through the use of Information &Communication Technologies (ICTs) by:

- Providing content and training that supports individual women, girls, women’s organizations and networks to take control of their own content and use of technology

- Intervening in ICT policy processes to ensure access, and meaningful use

• Cellphones are primary mode of socialisation for teens

• Cellphones = young people’s best friend• Because:- Privacy when communicating- Fit in with peers- The convergence of technologies- The Internet on cellphones- social networks/mobile social networks/mobile

instant communication

• Mobile instant applications have been adopted by young people

• Inexpensive, privacy and can help increase the number of friends

• Research – girls are frequent users of social networks

• however, these spaces pose a danger to girls• Mirror inequalities outside these spaces

Mobile Social Networks in South Africa: APreliminary Investigation into Young People's Use

• 11 girls from Orange Farm aged between 15-16 • They all knew Mxit• One did not have a cell phone• Other group: 16 – 31, Grow Bacha in Orange

Farm, equal number of male and female

Air time for the cellphones???

I get it from one of my parent, I save or from the chicken (quote from one of the girls)

● Girls jokingly referred to “minister of Airtime’’ – a reference to transactional sex for airtime

Using Mxit● Girls denied using Mxit ● But eventually admitted to using it● Did not open up because:- They know many adults/parents are pessimistic

about mobile texting applications- Some of the ‘sexting’ they had encountered

made them embarrassed

● Girls said they felt uncomfortable and unsafe when using Mxit

● Continual encounters to textual harassment or exposure to pornography

● Girls are shy to talk about their experiences because of fear of being judged and simply because they do not know these are criminal offenses

● Boys felt comfortable to use the application● They expressed that is an easy way to get

‘chics’

Sicelo: while you are chatting, you will show an interest in her life and you will arrange a date: if she agrees, then where does she live? Can we met? The nearest place where she lives, you will arrange. Maybe in town. Or a mall, where ever. But ill have to check you first, ill stand far away, if you are what I am expecting, then there I will come, If you are not then I'm gone

Cell phones and identity

● Part of the three Cs (Clothes, cosmetics and cellphones)

● Cell phones give status

● Cellpnone brand important

● It stands to reason that 'virtual' spaces reflect the realities of day to day life for South African girls – sexual harassment, sexual violence and domestic and dating violence is common

●This limits the girls’ participation in these technologies

If we don' t intervene, the mobile and online social spaces young people occupy will become like our

streets (and homes) where violence is rife and sexism predominates ..

transformation is key:-)

• Keep-Your-Chats-Exactly-That is a campaign that will educate and raise awareness on the pitfalls of using social networks

• To empower South African girls and boys with information and tactics to keep themselves safe when using social networking tools with a computer or mobile phone.

• Like the streets, and at home, social networks reflect power and gender imbalances

• Like in other spaces, girls need support and empowerment

• These spaces must be transformed

Picture taken from “The Reality of the MXit Mania”, Ramon Thomas

How we do it?

Through public education aimed at:

• Girls and boys

• Teachers

• Parents

• Policy makers

• Service providers

Contact us…. Lebo Marishane

+27 11 429-0000

lebo@womensnet.org.za

• http://www.womensnet.org.za