Is social media encouraging young people to post misogynistic content? According to new research, the answer is yes. A study conducted by teams from University College London and the University of Kent discovered that social media platforms are spreading extreme sexist content. Such stuff, it claims, is now migrating from youngsters’ screens to playgrounds, where it has become normalized.
Shocking findings
In this study, researchers examined TikTok. They discovered that throughout a five-day monitoring period, the social media site suggested four times more misogynistic content. Extreme films focusing on wrath and blame toward women were among the suggested items.
Experts believe that while the results are limited to TikTok, they are likely to apply to other social media platforms according to the Guardian.
Social media algorithms are delivering hazardous content to teenagers and young people under the pretext of fun according to the ‘Safer Scrolling’ study.
According to the study, toxic, hateful, or misogynistic content is “pushed” upon young people, normalizing dangerous views. According to the report, boys suffering from anxiety and mental health concerns are more vulnerable to such information.
Methodology for the Study
Researchers began by conducting interviews with young individuals who engage with and create radical online content. Based on the interviews, they developed “archetypes, to represent typologies of teenage boys who may be vulnerable to becoming radicalized by online content.” Based on that, they set up accounts on TikTok with specific content interests — for example, someone seeking out content on masculinity or addressing loneliness.
Finally, researchers utilized this to watch video content suggestions on the ‘for you’ page over the course of seven days.
Initially, content suggestions were tailored to each archetype’s chosen interests. However, it eventually morphed into wrath and blame directed toward women. Five days into the study, TikTok was promoting content such as objectification, sexual harassment, and denigrating women, which had increased fourfold from 13% to 56% of recommended videos.
Finally, roundtable discussions and interviews with school officials found that misogynistic stereotypes are becoming more common in in-person interactions.
“UCL’s findings show that algorithms – which most of us know little about – have a snowball effect in which they serve up ever-more extreme content in the form of entertainment,” says Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, which collaborated with the research.
“This is deeply worrying in general but particularly so in respect of the amplification of messages around toxic masculinity and its impact on young people who need to be able to grow up and develop their understanding of the world without being influenced by such appalling material,” he added, as quoted by The Guardian.
What researchers recommend
Researchers advocate for “healthy digital diet” education, holding social media corporations accountable, peer-to-peer monitoring, and raising understanding of algorithmic processes among parents and the community at large.