The Visibility Trap: Sexism, Surveillance & Social Media

by Mary McGill

Social media is a new type of public space that has revolutionised the way women express themselves, placing the power of representation in female hands like no technology before. But this increased visibility looks both ways, with the gazed upon also gazing back through platforms designed for judgement and surveillance.

A man-made tool, social media is now deeply entwined with women’s lives in an always-on culture where new and intrusive forms of comparison, shaming and watchfulness are completely normalised and women’s bodies, minds and emotions are picked apart. While many are acutely aware of this ‘visibility trap’, taking ownership of it remains a minefield.

In The Visibility Trap, Mary McGill blends feminism, media studies and lived experiences to explore the contradictions and dangers of online visibility for women, asking how we can build better, safer digital spaces for all. From current research to real-life testimonies, via the Kardashian Industrial Complex (KIC) to image-based sexual abuse — ‘revenge porn’ — and its belated criminalisation, she offers urgent and welcome insights into using social media more consciously, powerfully and positively. This is a must-read for anyone who loves or hates social media; for the guardians of future social media users and for anyone else who is still half-on, half-off this most twenty-first century of obsessions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Technology, Womens, Adult

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2021

Reviews

[nalini singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 4 stars are for Mary's courage to pick up such a controversial topic and putting in her best effort to not make it all grim and dark. She shows at least some possibility of light at the end of the tunnel and that torch seems to be in our own hands. Some of her moving phrases are going to stick with me when i wake up to work for a tech giant everyday. Thank you Mary for bringing to light, something we are all passively aware of but hardly ever talk about. I loved your parallel between Frankenstein and today's technology inventions.

Why i didn't give the book 5 stars-
1. I expected social media would cover more platforms than just Instagram. 70% of the book is heavily focused on Instagram where as today's top downloaded social media app is in fact tiktok. When Instagram only touches the developed world relatively more, more than a billion people (and young children as young as 3 years old) in the lower economic strata of the world are changing their lifestyle based on what tiktok and chingaree influencers are doing! I wish there was more diversity of apps as well as countries covered in the book. Perhaps a follow up book :)

2. I wish you had talked directly to a few tech employees (ex Facebook, tiktok who are abundant in Ireland) to hear their side of the story. And they could've also shared some tips on how we all as users can help make those faceless algorithms better by sharing feedback with our actions while we use these apps.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this. Every time I read a new book about social media, I get more uncomfortable with myself and the way I have used it. This book goes right to heart of the authenticity trap of social media and reminds you that these platforms aren’t really giving you anything like what you give to them. They’re designed to be addictive as we know but they’re also designed to play on your vulnerabilities and make you feel like shit so that you carve yourself into something more popular and palatable. Over the last few months I’ve wondered if my grief and depression are real or if I just ham them up for social media because I know they’ll ‘do tell’. It’s warped with my sense of self esteem and my head as a whole. A lot of food for thought.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Essential reading. Buy this book!!!

[jace soh · Rating 4 out of 5]

hmm i think the book was really interesting and brought up stuff i want to Think About. love the idea of the gynaeopticon and complicity in sexual harassment/ assault. also helped me frame my rap LOL. i didn’t like how certain bits felt very repetitive, the switch between formal and informal language and also since it’s my first time reading a research Book and not a Paper i’m not sure if they’re supposed to be argumentative? because if not this book was reaaaally biased. like i agree w the perspective but it was really biased TT

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great job! Full of personal stories that help you to follow the issu. Highly recomend specially for young womens

[Mia Caven · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who works in social media this is so important.

[Chaya Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is genuinely one of the best books I have ever ever read. Full transparency: Dr McGill sent me her book (which made me weep and panic that someone I would so revere would see my tiny instagram account and want me to read her book). But genuinely I HAD HER BOOK ON MY TBR, and just hadn’t ordered it as it wasn’t available on Amazon or in bookshops, because this is exactly the kind of book I would immediately want to read.

Medicine for my brain. What the world needs. So so powerful.
Dr McGill for prime minister. I love her. The book should be read for every woman, it will fix self esteem across the globe.

[Colette Dempsey]

This is such a good book - it is analytical, thought provoking and essential reading for all women navigating social media today.