'Girls weren't treated like they were human'

clovenhooves The Personal Is Political Everyday Sexism Article 'Girls weren't treated like they were human'

Article 'Girls weren't treated like they were human'

komorebi
“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” – Audre Lorde

316

Mar 30 2025, 8:22 PM

BBC News, March 30, 2025.

Quote:In response to the hit Netflix series Adolescence, a Brighton mother has told the BBC she withdrew her son from school as she was so concerned about violence, misogyny, racism and homophobia.

Her 14-year-old son, who is now home-schooled, said: "Girls weren't really treated equally, it was like they were not really humans."

Secondary school staff have also spoken out about the "avalanche" of issues in schools caused by social media, misogynistic behaviour and toxic masculinity.

komorebi

“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” – Audre Lorde

Mar 30 2025, 8:22 PM #1

BBC News, March 30, 2025.

Quote:In response to the hit Netflix series Adolescence, a Brighton mother has told the BBC she withdrew her son from school as she was so concerned about violence, misogyny, racism and homophobia.

Her 14-year-old son, who is now home-schooled, said: "Girls weren't really treated equally, it was like they were not really humans."

Secondary school staff have also spoken out about the "avalanche" of issues in schools caused by social media, misogynistic behaviour and toxic masculinity.

VerdantHorizon

Mar 30 2025, 9:35 PM

I grew up in the wild west era of the internet with almost no supervision, and I used to think I was entirely against government-imposed railguards on the internet for children because I turned out fine, but I don't know what else there is to do about its effects on the current generation of teens.

I feel like a big cause of the current issues of the internet is tailored algorithm feeds like what you see on... really every site. It's harder to get wind up in an extremist echo chamber when you're on a site that shows you chronological posts by the people you follow or some non-individually-tailored popular feed, rather than a feed that learns you engage more with rage bait, so it gives you rage bait. I don't know if that's something that any government could regulate, though.

VerdantHorizon

Mar 30 2025, 9:35 PM #2

wormwood

Mar 31 2025, 9:15 AM

About a decade ago, I spent a week or so of vacation talking to a young male family member (he was about 10 years old) about the YouTube videos his video game hobby had thrown his way. And we’re talking Minecraft, not Grand Theft Auto.

Basically, watching game play, reviews, and commentary had brought him into a section of the manosphere where 25 year old men were teaching eight year old boys that women were evil and manipulative (but also stupid bimbos) who had all the power (though they were weak and silly). They would say “this game is so fun” and “b*****s will mess you up” in the same tone of authority.

The child I am talking was brought up by a very egalitarian lefty family, and a feminist mom. He knew what the YouTubers were saying was at odds with everything been taught, at home and at school - he was upset - and I was lucky enough that he was willing to take me as seriously as he did the gaming channels. We spent a long time talking and watching and analysing what was said, and he came back from the brink and is okay, as far as I can tell. Has female friends. Dislikes sexism and racism. That kind of thing.

But it was close! In a happy child with loving parents, a good school, in a progressive town, surrounded by progressive influences. Gaming videos.

Edited Mar 31 2025, 9:16 AM by wormwood.

wormwood

Mar 31 2025, 9:15 AM #3

Elsacat

223

Mar 31 2025, 9:50 AM

(Mar 30 2025, 9:35 PM)VerdantHorizon I feel like a big cause of the current issues of the internet is tailored algorithm feeds like what you see on... really every site. It's harder to get wind up in an extremist echo chamber when you're on a site that shows you chronological posts by the people you follow or some non-individually-tailored popular feed, rather than a feed that learns you engage more with rage bait, so it gives you rage bait. I don't know if that's something that any government could regulate, though.

I think this is a huge problem. Reality is whatever the algorithm tells you it is, and what the algo tells you/pushes to you, and people who consume the same things you do, is different from what it pushes to people who seek out different content. We no longer have a baseline of truth or an ability for people with different beliefs to see any of the same things the same way. We're all getting fractured into different worlds that are at odds with each other.

Elsacat

Mar 31 2025, 9:50 AM #4

(Mar 30 2025, 9:35 PM)VerdantHorizon I feel like a big cause of the current issues of the internet is tailored algorithm feeds like what you see on... really every site. It's harder to get wind up in an extremist echo chamber when you're on a site that shows you chronological posts by the people you follow or some non-individually-tailored popular feed, rather than a feed that learns you engage more with rage bait, so it gives you rage bait. I don't know if that's something that any government could regulate, though.

skunk

Mar 31 2025, 3:40 PM

(Mar 30 2025, 9:35 PM)VerdantHorizon I grew up in the wild west era of the internet with almost no supervision, and I used to think I was entirely against government-imposed railguards on the internet for children because I turned out fine, but I don't know what else there is to do about its effects on the current generation of teens.

I feel like a big cause of the current issues of the internet is tailored algorithm feeds like what you see on... really every site. It's harder to get wind up in an extremist echo chamber when you're on a site that shows you chronological posts by the people you follow or some non-individually-tailored popular feed, rather than a feed that learns you engage more with rage bait, so it gives you rage bait. I don't know if that's something that any government could regulate, though.

I did too and I also thought I turned out fine. But nowadays, I really think I'd be mentally healthier if I didnt have such access to the internet from such a young age. Obviously, im not a total walnut lol but the internet definitely exaggerated my issues with body image and exposed me to some really horrific stuff, from gore to disgusting sexual stuff. I also had pedophile men coming at me constantly.

The algorithms definitely make things worse, especially in terms of extremist content. But really, it was never great. I'm not sure what the answer is, really, but i would generally support some kind of government regulation. Just not from our current administration.... or even the one before it actually.... and this is where the going gets tough..

skunk

Mar 31 2025, 3:40 PM #5

(Mar 30 2025, 9:35 PM)VerdantHorizon I grew up in the wild west era of the internet with almost no supervision, and I used to think I was entirely against government-imposed railguards on the internet for children because I turned out fine, but I don't know what else there is to do about its effects on the current generation of teens.

I feel like a big cause of the current issues of the internet is tailored algorithm feeds like what you see on... really every site. It's harder to get wind up in an extremist echo chamber when you're on a site that shows you chronological posts by the people you follow or some non-individually-tailored popular feed, rather than a feed that learns you engage more with rage bait, so it gives you rage bait. I don't know if that's something that any government could regulate, though.

Possum
angry lesbian 🌈

Mar 31 2025, 6:57 PM

(Mar 30 2025, 9:35 PM)VerdantHorizon I grew up in the wild west era of the internet with almost no supervision, and I used to think I was entirely against government-imposed railguards on the internet for children because I turned out fine, but I don't know what else there is to do about its effects on the current generation of teens.

Same here.

(Mar 30 2025, 9:35 PM)VerdantHorizon I feel like a big cause of the current issues of the internet is tailored algorithm feeds like what you see on... really every site. It's harder to get wind up in an extremist echo chamber when you're on a site that shows you chronological posts by the people you follow or some non-individually-tailored popular feed, rather than a feed that learns you engage more with rage bait, so it gives you rage bait. I don't know if that's something that any government could regulate, though.

And same here. The algorithms are literally brainwashing people imo and it's scary.

I think the blurred lines between "online" and "offline" is also a factor. I think I turned out okay despite being online from a young age because I had a life in the real world to balance out the internet craziness. I didn't have a smartphone until my early 20s so all the batshit insane stuff I saw on the internet lived on the computer, when I turned off the computer it went away. I wasn't getting phone notifications about the latest ragebait 24/7. For kids today smart phones and social media means the internet is with you everywhere at all times and there's no escape from it.

Possum

angry lesbian 🌈

Mar 31 2025, 6:57 PM #6

(Mar 30 2025, 9:35 PM)VerdantHorizon I grew up in the wild west era of the internet with almost no supervision, and I used to think I was entirely against government-imposed railguards on the internet for children because I turned out fine, but I don't know what else there is to do about its effects on the current generation of teens.

Same here.

(Mar 30 2025, 9:35 PM)VerdantHorizon I feel like a big cause of the current issues of the internet is tailored algorithm feeds like what you see on... really every site. It's harder to get wind up in an extremist echo chamber when you're on a site that shows you chronological posts by the people you follow or some non-individually-tailored popular feed, rather than a feed that learns you engage more with rage bait, so it gives you rage bait. I don't know if that's something that any government could regulate, though.

Print Thread

Recently Browsing
1 Guest(s)