Adolescence shows it’s time for tech companies to grow up
Adolescence | Erin Doherty as clinical psychologist Briony Ariston and Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller | Image courtesy of Netflix © 2024
2 min read
The disturbing themes in the Netflix drama Adolescence have struck a nerve, and we at the NSPCC are grateful to the Prime Minister for hosting a discussion at No 10 this week on such important issues affecting families across the UK.
Adolescence highlights in harrowing detail how online algorithms are bombarding children with harmful content, like extreme misogyny, with terrible consequences.
The media landscape is awash with articles focussing on how we can talk to young boys about this topic. Less is being written about girls, but at NSPCC we are hearing from girls and boys whose lives are being reshaped by online misogyny.
Tech companies must stop prioritising engagement and clicks over children's safety
Contacts to Childline are showing how misogynistic content is systematically eroding girls' confidence and exposing them to dangerous situations inside and outside relationships. Data collected by the NSPCC shows that four in five victims of online grooming cases are girls. Girls are more likely to receive unwanted sexual imagery online, and to have their images shared without consent.
At the same time, we are hearing from boys who tell us they’re feeling lost, stigmatised and nervous about how they’re supposed to interact with girls.
The disturbing spread of misogynistic content online is just one example of the harm children experience across social media, gaming, and messaging sites.
Tech companies must stop prioritising engagement and clicks over children's safety. Algorithms pushing harmful content for views are actively endangering children’s mental health. Ofcom will soon publish guidance on tackling online gender-based harms. This is a crucial opportunity for the regulator to set out an ambitious vision for how tech companies can put an end to the unfettered spread of misogyny and other harms online.
We must hold technology platforms accountable for the content they amplify and for ensuring there are safe, healthy spaces for girls and boys to enjoy connecting, playing and learning online.
There is more we can do to tackle misogyny, on- and offline. We must ensure children receive high-quality lessons about healthy relationships and that school leaders embrace a whole-school approach to preventing abuse in the corridors and playgrounds. We must empower children to recognise the signs of abuse and to know they have the right speak out if something doesn’t feel right.
The conversations started by Adolescence need to be translated into decisive action, and we all have a part to play. But however much we do to protect children from harm, it must also be tackled at source. The tech platforms may be in their adolescence, but it's time they grew up and took some responsibility.
Dr Maria Neophytou is director of strategy and knowledge at the NSPCC
