Studies in Linguistics and Language Education
Volume 1, Numéro 1, Pages 101-110
2025-06-30
Visual Identities And Gendered Communication In Tanzanian Social Media: The Influence Of Photo Lab Technology On Boys’ And Girls’ Verbal And Non-verbal Expressions
Authors : George Kisake Claudio . Kuhanga Dimbwe Elimu .
Abstract
In This study investigates how Tanzanian youth utilise Photo Lab, an AI-powered image editing application, to construct digital identities and engage in gendered communication across social media platforms. With the proliferation of smartphones and increasing access to visual editing tools, young people are curating stylised self-representations that reflect, reinforce, or challenge societal gender norms. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach, which encompasses 638 social media images and qualitative interviews with students from three Tanzanian institutions, the study reveals distinct patterns in verbal and nonverbal expression. Girls were found to favour romantic filters and emotive captions, often tied to self-worth and beauty ideals, while boys gravitated towards bold, humorous edits aligned with dominance and status. While many users report increased confidence and digital creativity, the research also identifies concerns around dependency on edited imagery, emotional manipulation, and psychological vulnerability. Photo Lab functions simultaneously as a creative outlet and a mirror of cultural expectations, allowing for both conformity and resistance within evolving digital youth cultures. The findings underscore the importance of media literacy and ethical engagement in AI-enhanced self-presentation practices.
Keywords
Photo Lab, Gendered Communication, AI Image Editing, Tanzanian Youth, Social Media Expression
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