The Online Stage. Youth and heteronormativity, self representation and identity construction in online communication: a multi methodical audience study

Media assign meanings to gender and sexuality which are ideological/cultural conceptions. These conceptions are mostly heteronormative, which has possible implications on the gender- and sexual identity of individuals. New media such as social networking sites know a rising importance. This research wishes to describe how early adolescents articulate heteronormative assumptions and possibly reinforce or break through them in these online surroundings.