Will social media help bring more women to tech?

The Canadian Press issued a story last week about women in technology, asking if the dramatic difference between the amount of online content produced by young women vs. young men will have significant impact on the numbers of women choosing a career in tech in the future,

While teens as a whole rule the blogosphere - 28 per cent of Internet-using teenagers blog compared with only eight per cent of adults - girls of all ages dominate, according to a recent survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

The survey suggests about 35 per cent of online teen girls blog, while only 20 per cent of online boys do it. "Virtually all of the growth in teen blogging between 2004 and 2006 is due to the increased activity of girls," the survey reported.

Jenny Bullough and I were both quoted for the piece, you can read the whole story here.

We would love to hear what you think - could this be a tipping point? Are blogs and social networking sites "gateway technologies"?

Toronto Girl Geek Dinners Quoted by Canadian Press

Keep your eyes peeled to your local and national papers this Wednesday as the Canadian Press issues a story about women in technology, and uses the Toronto Girl Geek Dinners as an example of how young women can be mentored and encouraged to choose a career in tech!

Makes me think that we need to get back at ensuring the TGGDs achieve the promise they held possible at our first few events, so please submit your thoughts on how we can spark things up and boost attendance/sponsorships!

The story was prompted by a December report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project that showed that young women out-produce young men when it comes to online content and custom web pages. Could we possibly be turning the corner when it comes to women being underrepresented in technology?

More coverage on the Pew Project also available from the New York Times.

March Girl Geek Dinner Postponed

Due to a lack of quorum we're forced to postpone tomorrow's Girl Geek Dinner with Ali de Bold of Chickadvisor.com. Apologies to all those who signed up; please stay tuned to this space and to the TGGD Wiki for updates on a rescheduled date (likely in May).

March Girl Geek Dinner with Ali de Bold!

In March the Girl Geek Dinners welcome Ali de Bold, cofounder of ChickAdvisor, a website devoted to helping women make more informed purchase decisions by hosting member recommendations for products and services, and providing purchase information to make getting what you want and need easier, faster, and more affordable.

Ali is a third-generation entrepreneur with a life-long passion for media since her appearance on Global TV's KidsNews at age 11. She is a former property and casualty claims adjuster who escaped the world of insurance shortly after meeting husband Alex, who convinced her to quit her job and go back to school. In 2004, she began Ryerson's Radio & Television Arts program, and is currently doing very well in her fourth year.

Join us on Wednesday Mar 12th at 6:30 pm at our favorite venue, the Hot House Cafe! Don't forget to sign up on the wiki -- spots are sure to fill up fast!!

We're also going to introduce a new formula - the TGGD Quorum. If fewer than 15 people are signed up on the wiki to attend, the dinner will be postponed until the following month.