“…In addition to the potential for continuity between users and their online avatars, the standards and stereotypes embedded in larger sociopolitical contexts can also seep into online contexts (Boellstorff, 2008;Kendall, 1998;Lehdonvirta, Nagashima, Lehdonvirta, & Baba, 2012;Palomares & Lee, 2010;. Past studies suggest that, much like offline appearance, avatar appearance matters when it comes to creating positive interactions online for youth and adults (Dehn & Van Mulken, 2000;Messinger et al, 2008;Nowak & Rauh, 2005;Principe & Langlois, 2013;Yee, Bailenson, & Ducheneaut, 2009). For example, Messinger et al (2008) found that people who created SL avatars that were more attractive than their offline selves reported being more outgoing, extraverted, risk-taking, and loud online.…”