Difference in SNS Use and Gender Equality Perception Among South Korean Young Generation

Background: In recent years, online discussions about gender equality have evolved into gender conflicts in Korea. The discourse exchanged through social media networks (SNS) seems to have a great impact on the younger generation as they are the major consumers and creators of online content, but little is known about the direction and distinction between different gender groups. Some scholars argue that SNS has a strong positive influence on gender equality perception, as people can learn about gender equality while digesting various opinions about it. However, the anonymity provided by SNS can lead to unfiltered hateful comments towards individuals of another gender. Young people often use SNS as a platform for blaming others rather than sharing their thoughts on gender conflict in a constructive manner. In this sense, the use of SNS could negatively affect gender equality perception among this generation. Thus, this study aims to explore the impact of SNS use on gender equality perception among the younger generation in Korea, with a particular interest in gender differences in this relationship.

Methods: Data from 426 young adults aged 19 to 34 in Korea were used for this study, with half of the sample being female participants. Gender equality perception was measured with 12 items, where higher total scores indicated greater gender equality perception. SNS use was operationalized with two measures - SNS use and dependency. SNS use was measured with the overall time invested in daily SNS use, while SNS dependency was measured with a four item-scale. Age, education level, marital status, employment status, and monthly income were controlled for. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test gender difference in gender equality perception and the potential moderation of SNS use and dependency on this relationship (gender x SNS use, gender x SNS dependency).

Results:The results from multiple regression showed that men had significantly lower gender equality perception than women (ꞵ = -0.38. p < .001), and this relationship was moderated by SNS use (ꞵ = -0.28. p = .03). More specifically, the negative impact of SNS use on gender equality was stronger for men than for women. Additionally, SNS dependency was found to be negatively associated with gender equality perception (ꞵ = -0.19, p < .001), indicating that the higher SNS dependency was linked to lower gender equality perception. However, SNS dependency did not have a moderating effect on the relationship between gender and gender equality perception.

Conclusions and Implications: Findings of this study suggest that SNS use may have a negative impact on young men's perception of gender equality, more so than on young women. Men may feel a greater threat to their dominant social status as they learn more about affirmative action for women and other policy measures to promote gender equality on SNS. Unfiltered hateful comments about gender equality policies may also affect other men who read the comments. Therefore, there is a need for facilitated in-person discourse that can provide a balanced perspective towards gender equality.