In this engaging conversation, Anna Gjika, an assistant professor of sociology at SUNY New Paltz, sheds light on youth and sexual assault in the digital age. She discusses how incidents like sexting scandals reflect deeper societal norms and power dynamics. Gjika advocates for understanding digital cultures rather than mere surveillance. The discussion explores the complexities of victim identities and the challenges institutions face in addressing youth sexual violence, emphasizing the need for comprehensive education on digital ethics.
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insights INSIGHT
Youth Digital Behavior Reveals Norms
Youth rapidly adopt technology but often make mistakes reflecting their evolving norms.
Their digital behaviors reveal core gender norms and peer culture influences.
insights INSIGHT
Rape Culture Upholds Aggression
Rape culture normalizes male sexual aggression and blames victims, shaping gendered sexual behaviors.
Digital sexual violence reflects and amplifies these entrenched cultural norms and myths.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Prioritize Education on Digital Consent
Implement comprehensive sex and digital ethics education from a young age.
Teach youth about consent, respect, and navigating digital sexual content responsibly.
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Community Media Representations of Place and Identity at Tug Fest
Community Media Representations of Place and Identity at Tug Fest
Reconstructing the Mississippi River
Michael O. Johnston
The Social Construction of a Cultural Spectacle: Floatzilla
The Social Construction of a Cultural Spectacle: Floatzilla
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Michael O. Johnston
When Rape Goes Viral
When Rape Goes Viral
Anna Gjika
Anna Gjika's "When Rape Goes Viral" examines the complex intersection of teenage life, social media, and sexual assault. The book delves into the reasons behind the filming and distribution of sexual violence, exploring the motivations of perpetrators and bystanders. Gjika challenges the simplistic notion of technological determinism, arguing that the use of technology is intertwined with identity performance and peer dynamics. The book uses case studies to illustrate how social media facilitates the normalization of harmful behaviors and the perpetuation of rape culture. Ultimately, "When Rape Goes Viral" calls for a critical examination of social media's role in shaping attitudes towards sexual violence and the need for improved legal responses.
Stories of teen sexting scandals, cyberbullying, and image-based sexual abuse have become commonplace fixtures of the digital age, with many adults struggling to identify ways to monitor young people's digital engagement. In When Rape Goes Viral: Youth and Sexual Assault in the Digital Age(Univ of California Press, 2023), Anna Gjika argues that rather than focusing on surveillance, we should examine such incidents for what they tell us about youth peer cultures and the gender norms and sexual ethics governing their interactions. Drawing from interviews with teens and high-profile cases of mediated juvenile sexual assault, Gjika exposes the deeply unequal and heteronormative power dynamics informing teens' intimate relationships and online practices, and she critically interrogates the role of digital cultures and broader social values in sanctioning abuse. The book also explores the consequences of social media and digital evidence for young victim-survivors and perpetrators of sexual assault, detailing the paradoxical capacities of technology for social and legal responses to gender-based violence.
Michael O. Johnston, Ph.D. is a Assistant Professor of Sociology at William Penn University. He is the author of The Social Construction of a Cultural Spectacle: Floatzilla (Lexington Books, 2023) and Community Media Representations of Place and Identity at Tug Fest: Reconstructing the Mississippi River (Lexington Books, 2022). His general area of study is at the intersection of space, behavior, and identity. He is currently conducting research on: 1.) escape rooms 2.) the use of urban design in downtown historical neighborhoods of rural communities. To learn more about Michael O. Johnston you can go to his personal website, Google Scholar, Bluesky (@professorjohnst.bsky.social), Twitter (@ProfessorJohnst), or by email (johnstonmo@wmpenn.edu)
New Books in Sociology