A recent experiment conducted by The Guardian reveals troubling insights into how social media algorithms, particularly on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, push sexist and misogynistic content onto young men’s feeds without any user engagement. By creating blank accounts, the study showed how quickly harmful content emerged, including offensive memes and images, based solely on the assumptions these platforms made about users' interests.
This mirrors other research showing that platforms like YouTube and TikTok also guide young men toward problematic content, reinforcing harmful gender stereotypes and ideologies. Experts argue that these algorithms are "baked into the model," making it critical to examine how such content is distributed and how platforms can be held accountable for the impact on young users.
Teaching children early on that rigid gender roles and norms are harmful is an essential step in combating these toxic narratives. By promoting equality, empathy, and respect for all genders, we can help young people challenge stereotypes and develop healthier attitudes that stand against the damaging content they may encounter online.
