In search of the stork: “seekers”, “instafriends” and possible activisms in social networks

Abstract

People who are trying to have children have accessed virtual networks and identified themselves in the "seeker"[tentante] category. This movement is part of the activation of social networks in the pursuit for information. In this search, the "seekers" are breaching the rule of silence that permeates infertility and the use of assisted reproduction. Such practices were often managed by taboos, secrecy and inserted in the sphere of intimacy. In this article we propose to reflect on how the creation of groups and channels of “seekers” in social networks can be seen sometimes as a forum for obtaining specialized information, and sometimes as a practice of virtual activism aimed at demystifying and eliminating taboos related to infertility. However, the centrality of women as protagonists of these channels and posts seems to maintain one of these taboos: women's blame and accountability for infertility. To understand this complex universe, we will analyze Instagram exchanges and publications from the profile of two seekers. We'll analyze how posts agency practices and impact on / offline universe. Likes, emojis and “instafriends” allow us a key to understanding how technology, rather than mediating relationships, builds them.