We Research Online ‘Misogynist Radicalization.’ Here’s What Parents Of Boys Should Know
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Many parents are worried about their children using social media. But these concerns tend to focus on privacy, exposure to explicit material or contact with strangers.
As researchers looking at sexism and misogyny in Australian schools and the influence of social media, we think it is also important for parents to understand how algorithms work.
These can drive misogynistic content towards boys and young men and make extreme views seem normal.
Researchers are increasingly studying how social media can amplify social and political divisions. It is also showing how these platforms spread prejudice, hate speech and misinformation.
At the same time, researchers are identifying a growing divide between young men and women in their attitudes towards gender equality.
Our own research has found a disturbing increase in sexism, sexual harassment and misogyny in Australian schools. This includes examples of boys physically intimidating women teachers in schools, gaslighting them, saying they are “hysterical”, describing gender inequality issues as “myths”, and saying things like “Miss, your boobs look really big today”.
Our research, done via interviews with Australian teachers, suggests these views are influenced by the rise of figures from the “manosphere” (a collection of extreme men’s communities that are anti-women) on social media.
Content retrieved from: https://digg.com/human-nature/link/we-research-online-misogynist-radicalisation-heres-what-parents-of-boys-should-know.
