Fears boys use of internet leading to rise in sexism
The NSPCC is speaking out this Safer Internet Day
This Safer Internet Day the NSPCC is working with partners to tackle a worrying trend in the number of young boys accessing potential harmful material which is impacting their attitudes toward women and girls.
Most boys aged 11-14 have seen online content promoting misogyny and harmful views, according to a shocking new study.
A study commissioned for Safer Internet Day found that 69% of boys had come across posts promoting misogyny, with 70% of teachers noting a rise in sexist language in classrooms.
Parents reported that 42% of their sons had made inappropriate comments inspired by online content, including sexual, violent, or degrading remarks about women and girls.
Hayley Garner, NSPCC's Local Campaigns Manager for London and the South East said: “There are many positive when it comes to children navigating changes in technology, however there is a negative side.
“The reality is that there are online safety risks for children and young people, when they are exposed to potentially inappropriate content and that can influence their behaviour in a negative way.”
Researchers highlighted the role of AI algorithms in promoting such content, often surfacing it alongside innocent searches for topics like fitness or gaming.
To address these concerns, Vodafone, who carried out the research and the NSPCC have developed an online toolkit to help families discuss online safety, emphasizing the importance of designing online platforms with safety in mind. Additionally, a campaign by Vodafone and Global Action Plan advocates for prioritizing safety in online regulations.
The study's findings align with previous research indicating that social media algorithms amplify misogynistic content to teenagers, with harmful ideologies permeating offline environments such as schools.
The mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey has called for stricter measures, including banning social media apps on smartphones for under-16s and flagging inappropriate material to parents.
Speaking about ways parents can combat online influence, Garner said: "Have regular conversations, rather than a big online safety chat, about what they are doing online.
“It is about being open, transparent, positive and encouraging your child to come speak to you if they are concerned about anything they see.
"Just make it known they can speak to you, in order to get reassurance about what they can do moving forward."
The NSPCC's latest figures show 1 in 10 young people receives sexual messages online.
The latest figures from the charity show In Kent, there were 2,509 sexual offences against children, under the age of 16, recorded by police.
1,475 children were the subject of a child protection plan and there were 2,220 children in care.