Listening to Girls

In THIS powerful article written by a 15-year-old girl for the Guardian, she describes the relentless and truly awful misogyny young girls are subjected to on social media. Unfortunately, this article was not shocking to our Relationship Development Lead, Tina Pearmine. She says, "Daily I support young women who encounter their social media platforms being flooded with content that objectifies women, with violence against women and girls trivialised, shared, liked and laughed at. Self-harm is encouraged.

In the article, this 15-year-old shares the impact of these apps on her wellbeing and appearance, and like all the young women I support, they can either feel resentment towards boys their age or it simply becomes their "normal".

Professionals in the sector have been calling out this behaviour and the dangers of social media for many years.  What is always highlighted is:

•  Accountability on the social media platforms and for those who post and comment.

• Education for young boys regarding algorithms, the content they see, share or post, discussion on healthy masculinity and the impact of the posts and use of derogatory language has on others.

• Education for young people regarding digital hygiene.

• Knowledge for all regarding bystander intervention.

• Invest in youth projects/groups.

The majority of the young people Tina supports are “not bothered by it". They tell her, "There is always a way to do something that is banned." One young person explained to Tina that they will be more intrigued to go online because “I will not be allowed," with the majority sharing that they will just find ways to bypass the ban.

While a social media ban may begin to limit young people's access online, and it certainly will help the adults in their lives to take more seriously the dangers of online spaces, to enact a ban without investing in education and meaningful support for young people is potentially going to push at least some of those young people into more harmful and unregulated spaces.  

We hope those in positions of responsibility are taking note of what girls are reporting, and that the solutions are more than social media bans!