Less computer experience, competence and less favourable attitudes towards computers underlie females' negative attitude towards technology. These negative attitudes towards computers may be transferred to Internet use. The Internet culture was developed by its early users, mainly male scientists, mathematicians and technologically sophisticated computer hackers. With Internet interactions, research has found that males' online communication is status enhancing and adversarial while females' online communication is supportive and tentative. Often males dominate mixed-gender online discussion groups and when females try to dominate, they are ignored, trivialized or criticized by the males.
Many women report that they use male or gender neutral names to prevent unwanted advances.
These communication styles may deter greater female participation. The Internet is an electronic meeting place where individuals throughout the world could interact as equals despite differences in nationality, race, social status, gender or physical attributes. The potential of using the Internet to expand contacts with individuals worldwide, one would never otherwise meet, is one of the more exciting aspects of Internet use. However, demographically, the Internet is not representative. Further, worldwide, Internet users are more likely to be male, wealthier, better educated and younger than the general population.