Education Scotland has released a new episode of the Learning Conversations podcast. It explores how social media use can affect pupil behaviour and online misogyny.

In this podcast, Gillian Hamilton talks to Angela MacDonald from the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) programme, and Dr Kaitlyn Regehr from University College London. They discuss how social media algorithms amplify extreme content and normalise harmful ideologies.

The conversation highlights findings from a recent algorithmic modelling study, led by Dr Regehr. The study shows a fourfold increase in misogynistic content on the ‘For You’ page of TikTok accounts over just five days on the platform.

During the episode, the panel discuss the need for a healthy digital approach to education. This can support young people, schools, and the community.

Gillian Hamilton said:

“The rapid and vast adoption of social media means there is now a space where people can make anonymous threats against others and share misogynistic views amongst a wide audience.

“Addressing and tackling this type of violence and abuse requires education, transparency and coordinated action.”

Citing her research, Dr Regehr says it is also essential to “champion the voices of young people themselves”. She added that Education Scotland’s MVP peer mentoring programme is a great example of this.

Last month, the MVP programme launched their Challenging Online Misogyny resource. The MVP team collaborated with Dr. Regehr to create the two-part lesson. This supports the reduction of online misogyny and abuse.

Dr Regehr said:

“Young people microdose on topics like self-harm, or extremism. To them, it feels like entertainment. Harmful views and tropes are now becoming normalised among young people.

"Online consumption is impacting young people’s offline behaviours. We see these ideologies moving off screens and into school yards.

"This is like Big Tobacco decades ago. At some point there will be enough persuasive research. The public will demand that policymakers start prioritising young people's well-being over profit. But unfortunately, we're not quite there yet.”

She explained that "at the moment there is a need to think critically about what we are consuming" in the same way we do with food.

"It's okay to consume a couple of problematic videos, just like sugar and junk food. If that is 50 percent of what you're consuming - which is what our research is pointing towards - that's problematic. That's a really unhealthy diet.

"I think if we start speaking in terms of diet, this is something that most parents and children understand. We can start to break down the barriers around technological confusion and make it simpler for people to engage with.” 

Listen to the full podcast

The Learning Conversations podcast: Is social media influence increasing misogyny in schools? (podbean.com)