What kinds of things do you use Facebook and Instagram for? 

On Facebook, I tend to interact mainly with friends and acquaintances, with a little bit of family in the mix. In terms of what I post, it’s usually jokes, political satire and a little outrage as well. My networks have similar values, so it’s a good space to build support or share ideas.

On Instagram I engage with a similar group but I also comment on images posted by people I admire – though rather than starting a conversation with the individual, I’m usually tagging my actual friends in comments along the lines of ‘hey, isn’t this cool!’ Dorky things like that. In terms of what I post, it’s usually pretty things (so clichéd!), pictures of my dog, Scout (my usual internet name is “allyoscout”, as it reflects the majority of my content) or strange things I see and I think others need to see.

Is your Instagram public or private?

Public. It used to be private but I decided I didn’t care. I also started my own business and thought maybe it would be a good idea to be public. 

Scout is part of your business’ online brand – perhaps your personal brand as well. Do you see it that way?

Definitely. She’s part of my family, and I take her to work with me all the time. I’m sort of known/remembered because of people’s relationship with her. People I haven’t seen for years ask me how she is. She’s also a very friendly hound and that’s an important part of our brand as well. Be kind, be welcoming.

When you say ‘our’ brand – are you talking about Lady Scout Studio?

Me and the business. Although, the biz is a bit more polished than I am!

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I suppose I have realised as I get older that it’s really important to be kind and friendly.

I like the idea that you have a brand philosophy, for yourself I mean.

Now that I’m writing it out, I kind of feel like a dickhead! I suppose I have realised as I get older that it’s really important to be kind and friendly. My MySpace page from my teen years certainly wasn’t like that!

Wow – MySpace! A blast from the past.

Yeah! I couldn’t log onto it for years and it had all this terribly embarrassing stuff on it…god! But even though it was angsty, it still had the silliness/friendliness I have now (I think..).

Do you ever feel like you need to be different online from who you are offline, or vice versa?

I don’t think so. I feel like I censor myself more than I think some other users do, though. Like, if I was down in the dumps I probably wouldn’t post it on Facebook. But if I felt like dancing to Tina Turner’s ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’, well, that I probably would share. I suppose I just try to post positive things where possible. Life’s hard enough.

I also don’t really do the selfie thing. Other people seem to like it but I find it really uncomfortable. 

Selfies do seem to really divide opinion.

I can see how they can be a political action (particularly amongst feminists and the body positivity movement) but I find it embarrassing. I think it’s actually to do with being Australian. I find it kind of like showing off. If there’s a reason to do it (like I just got a new piercing!) that’s cool, but if it’s just a quest for likes, I find myself wishing they wouldn’t. Anyway…

Your work with Rosie must give you an insight into how young girls express themselves online – and I imagine selfies are popular in that demographic. Not just the selfie I guess, but all kinds of self expression that perhaps seems a bit alien to older generations…

They are, and I suppose that’s another reason for my dislike. I don’t really find it empowering, it makes the individual really vulnerable.

Amongst young teens especially, they’re often putting these images out there, silently asking, ‘what do you think? Am I acceptable? Am I hot?’ It starts this dialogue amongst girls which is really unhealthy. That said, a lot of teens are also rejecting social media. 

Do you ever feel those pressures yourself?

Of course! I don’t want to be vulnerable like that. And I also feel like doing it won’t make me feel ‘acceptable’. That has to come from me.

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People are so casually rude or so glaringly misinformed and so ready to get into a barny with a total stranger.

Do you see online spaces as generally positive, negative or neutral places?

It’s a combination. I think if you cultivate networks of like-minded people, you can have a really positive experience. But if you stay friends with your racist, misogynistic mate from kindergarten, it’s probably gonna grate on you.

A friend of mine this year made a resolution to not read comments on public pages (like on the Guardian, VICE or ABC articles, etc) because that’s where the negativity lives. Lately, I’ve been thinking that perhaps I need to take a leaf out of her book, because I do read the comments and they do drag me down. I rarely comment myself but I often feel on the verge of getting involved. People are so casually rude or so glaringly misinformed and so ready to get into a barny with a total stranger. I so want to defend things like feminist issues but I also don’t want to invite that drama into my world.

Is it important to you that people know your political or social values?

Yeah. It’s a huge part of my identity, and it’s usually part of the reason I’m connected with people online.

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Sharing an image like that doesn’t accurately convey my response or the complexity of the situation and could easily be misinterpreted.

Online platforms like social media can give us a bigger, or perhaps more widely-heard voice. Do you think this changes how you discuss your values?

I’m far more measured than I would be over a couple of drinks but the essence is the same. I’m lucky in the sense that I’m not ultra left or right (I consider myself a reasonable, inclusive feminist) so I rarely feel as though I’m sharing things that are controversial or risky. Although I did share something about Charlie Hebdo that still worries me, but usually it’s fine. I get more worried about my grammar and spelling!

Did you second guess yourself for sharing it?

They [Charlie Hebdo] were total twerps and completely disrespectful but that doesn’t mean they deserved that. I suppose sharing an image like that doesn’t accurately convey my response or the complexity of the situation and could easily be misinterpreted.

I love these two images you’ve submitted. Can you tell me a bit about the first one, Dream Lodge Motel?

Thanks! Dream lodge is my happy place. I imagine swanning around that pool, glass in hand, listening to the ‘Girl From Ipanema’ as the sun sets. I love the idealism of kitsch, the aesthetic of leisure.

It also depicts a very interesting era.

Yeah, not very feminist! But it was so stylish. Sigh.

And the second image? 

I just really like the stoned expression on Scout’s face in that one! I’m all silly and pouty, whereas Scout’s like, ‘meh’.

She’s keepin’ it real.

So real.