What does Penny mean when she refers to "patriarchal surveillance" on the Internet?

In the story "Penny Cybersexism"

From Google:

"pa·tri·arch·y
ˈpātrēˌärkē/Submit
noun
a system of society or government in which the father or eldest male is head of the family and descent is traced through the male line.
a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it."

"sur·veil·lance
sərˈvāləns/Submit
noun
close observation, especially of a suspected spy or criminal.
"he found himself put under surveillance by military intelligence"
synonyms: observation, scrutiny, watch, view, inspection, supervision; "

In Penny's context of "patriarchal surveillance" on the Internet, she is referring to the phenomenon of the male-dominated power structure and control that exists online. Specifically, she is highlighting how men often possess a position of power and authority in shaping the rules, norms, and standards of behavior in online spaces. This includes the tendency for men to monitor and police women's actions, words, and expressions online. This surveillance can manifest in various forms, such as online harassment, objectification, and the promotion of harmful stereotypes. Penny is suggesting that this surveillance reinforces and perpetuates a patriarchal system, which ultimately limits women's autonomy and freedom of expression online.

In the story "Penny Cybersexism," Penny refers to "patriarchal surveillance" on the Internet. To understand what she means by this term, it is essential to examine the context in which it is used.

"Patriarchal surveillance" in this context refers to the dominant social system of patriarchy, which enforces traditional gender norms and hierarchies, as well as the act of monitoring and controlling women's behavior online. Penny is highlighting the presence of gender-based surveillance and control mechanisms that manifest on the Internet.

To fully grasp the meaning, it is helpful to break down the term into its two components: "patriarchal" and "surveillance."

1. Patriarchal: Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and authority. It is characterized by the dominance of male figures over society, politics, and institutions. Patriarchy often enforces and reinforces gender norms, perpetuating inequality and sexism.

2. Surveillance: Surveillance refers to the monitoring, tracking, and observation of individuals or groups. In the context of the Internet, surveillance can refer to a range of practices, such as data collection by online platforms, targeted advertising, or monitoring of online activities by governments or corporations.

By combining these two terms, "patriarchal surveillance" describes the way in which the patriarchal power structure extends to the online realm, where women's behavior, actions, and choices are monitored, controlled, and stifled. This surveillance can take the form of harassment, online abuse, objectification, and the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes.

Penny's reference to "patriarchal surveillance" highlights the broader issue of sexism and inequality that persists both online and offline, and serves as a critique of the power dynamics that shape women's experiences in the digital world.