Geography and Regional Planning

Geography and Regional Planning

Analyzing the Everyday Life of Generation Y Women within the Framework of the Geopolitics of Cyberspace

Authors
Shervi Ghezelbash 1
Horieh Dehghan Shad 2
Mahnaz Ronaghi Notash 2
Ehsan Rahmani Khalili 3
1 PhD student in Culture and Communication, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Communication, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jgeoq.2026.581741.4442
Abstract
This study investigates the everyday life of Generation Y women within the cyber public sphere using a qualitative grounded theory approach. Through purposive theoretical sampling, 25 women with diverse backgrounds were interviewed, and data were analyzed via MAXQDA across open, axial, and selective coding stages. From 483 open codes, axial categories emerged including digital identity, online social capital, privacy, digital burnout, and platform entrepreneurship. The selective coding identified the core phenomenon as "the intertwining of cyberspace with the gendered everyday life of Gen Y women." Influenced by causal conditions like smartphone penetration and algorithmic logic, alongside contextual and intervening factors such as cultural norms and digital literacy, the study highlights consequences ranging from empowerment and professional growth to surveillance, self-censorship, and time fragmentation. Ultimately, the research proposes strategies for gender-sensitive platform policymaking and enhanced digital health literacy.
Keywords
Generation Y
Cyberspace
Digital Everyday Life
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