A Study of the Digital Identity Performance of Qatari Women in Social Networks

In recent times, research has been undertaken to examine the performance of digital identity in the context of social networks. However, hardly any research on this topic appears to focus on the performance of women’s digital identities in the Qatari context. Thus, this thesis aims to critically analyze the significance of the phenomenon of Qatari women’s digital performance of identities in the light of restrictive socio-cultural traditions, gender stereotypes, and anonymity. The first research question examined the extent to which the restrictive Qatari society and domestic violence have influenced Qatari women’s digital performance of identities, while the second examined whether gender stereotypes imply limitations on Qatari women’s digital performance of identities. The third research question analyzed the implications of anonymity on Qatari women’s digital performance of identity authenticity. This study used a qualitative interviewing method to generate an in-depth understanding of this phenomenon. A total of twelve Qatari women were interviewed. The findings indicate that Qatari women’s experiences of restrictive socio-cultural norms and traditions, domestic violence, and abuse influence their digital performance of identities and that they use social networks as mediums for creative self-expression, advocacy, and raising awareness. However, the findings also suggest that societal gender stereotypes have transmitted to the digital environment, thus limiting Qatari women’s opportunities for self-expression. As a result, Qatari women hide their identities in an attempt to free themselves from any restrictive boundaries. Despite securing the freedom to self-express, the findings indicate that anonymity is problematic to Qatari women’s identities because the self becomes so blurred that it no longer recognizes its authentic self. These findings suggest that Qatari women are living in a hyperreality where reality no longer exists. Thereby, this thesis implies that there is no true authentic self but an essence of self that people aspire to.