I've asked people that question and it seems the trade off is that feeling of connection. The validation that comes from sharing moments and the happy feelings it brings you when you can brag about something. In exchange for this, people are relatively lax about their privacy. I'm sure there's also a bunch of people that want to get famous so they will absorb all the followers, likes, shares and comments they can get.
I once overheard two girls talking about guys they liked at school and I shit you not, they were rating them based on how many Instagram followers they had...
I remember a very long time ago, I inadvertently changed a photo album I never deleted from private to public and it contained photos of an ex. I got a call from my then-current girlfriend with a boatload of questions. I started realizing shortly after how damaging this new (at the time) social media stuff could be. In my case, it was something relatively small, but I can't imagine what kind of stuff other people might have that could expose them on so many fronts. For this and other reasons, I slowly weaned myself off social media and never really looked back. I just use various accounts for logins and a few check-ins here and there.
How about looking at more blue collar industries and see if your theory holds up. Say auto mechanics...I doubt there's a "problem" in that industry that keep more women from becoming mechanics. I can't tell you why most women are not that interested in cars, let alone working on them, but I know that it's true. The same could be said for garbage collectors, oil rig workers, etc.
I've worked in tech all of my adult life and I rarely see women in this field. The few that have come through my places of work usually stay to get some basic computer experience and then move on to whatever they wanted to do in the first place. I have yet to meet a woman that has the same passion for all things tech that I and a lot of my male friends have.
But let's say you're right...how would you propose that tech companies generate more interest that would appeal to women? I mean we all know women love to USE technology, apps, games, etc., but how can we get them to crossover to the side of creating, maintaining and supporting these things?
I have a few coworkers that don't get the whole "headphones on, he's busy" concept. In some cases, they just start talking as if the headphones aren't even there. Sometimes, I pretend I can't see them talking and then after a short time, I look up, remove the headphones and say, "Sorry, were you talking to me? I was focused on something."
They usually get the message and apologize, but I still don't get it. I mean, emergencies aside, send me an email, a text or any other notification you can think of and let me get back to you.
I once overheard two girls talking about guys they liked at school and I shit you not, they were rating them based on how many Instagram followers they had...