Gender and mobile phones in cross-national context

The sociolinguistic literature has frequently noted differences in how males and females communicate face-to-face and in writing, and more recently, through information and communication technologies. This article reports on gender patterns identified in a cross-national study of mobile phone use by university students in Sweden, the US, Italy, Japan and Korea. Data were analyzed with respect to the purpose of communication, politeness issues, contact management and volume of use (along with user complaints about dependency and reachability). Results indicated a number of gendered usage and attitudinal patterns. However, in some cases, cultural variables may prove more explanatory than gender.

► Sociolinguistic studies show that males and females often communicate differently. ► Differences have been documented in many forms of language use. ► We studied gender issues in a cross-national study of mobile phone use. ► Data from the study further demonstrate gender differences. ► Sometimes culture rather than gender is the more important variable.