How AI algorithms are harming boys
Working towards a safe, well-regulated, low-carbon online environment, and calling for social media to be made safer by design.
At this pivotal point in their lives, tween and teen boys are being pushed misogynistic and toxic content by harmful recommender algorithms. This content is shaping many boys’ attitudes and identities in ways which hurt both them and those around them, including making it harder for them to form positive relationships. It’s urgent that regulators act to ensure online content platforms are safe by design, enabling children to enjoy the benefits of the internet without being exposed to such harmful material.
Dr Elly Hanson, Clinical Psychologist
Social media can be safer by design
Global Action Plan is working towards a safe, well-regulated, low-carbon online environment, and part of that work has been calling for social media to be made safer by design.
We worked with Vodafone for Safer Internet Day 2024, launching new research and a campaign film ‘The Rise of The Aggro-rithm' to raise awareness of what boys are being exposed to online due to AI algorithms and the impact this is having on them.
Our research revealed that 1 in 10 boys aged 11-14 are seeing harmful content in as little as 60 seconds and over half (52%) are familiar with content from influencers with ties to the manosphere (a term used to describe the network of online communities promoting negative, often misogynistic content).
We sought to raise awareness of this issue, launching a petition calling on Ofcom to consider this impact of AI algorithms as they were drawing up the codes and guidance for the Online Safety Act.
In partnership with Vodafone, on Safer Internet Day 2024 we published research which analysed the experiences of 1,000 parents and boys (11-14) as well as over 4,000 teachers.
We used this research to work with creative agency Nice and Serious on The Rise of The Aggro-rithm campaign film, which has had almost 900, 000 views on YouTube.
The campaign won Best Technology Campaign at the PR Week Awards in 2024.
69%
of boys have been served content that is negative about women and girls without looking for it
1,700+
signed our petition calling on Ofcom, asking them to consider the impact of AI algorithms when drawing up Online Safety Act guidance
890k+
views of our campaign film ‘The Rise of the Aggro-rithm'
55
MPs engaged, and meetings secured with Ofcom's Online Safety Team
Thrilled to have brought home the award for best tech campaign at the PR Week Awards. We created the ‘Rise of the Aggro-rithm’ to raise awareness of the harmful algorithms targeting young boys within 60 seconds of being online, calling for ‘safety by design’ to be prioritised by regulators as they implement the Online Safety Act.
It’s great to play our part in helping parents and children navigate the ever-changing and ever-complex digital world. It’s even better that we get to do this together with fantastic charity partners and organisations - NSPCC, Nice and Serious, Global Action Plan, Tin Man - to make a real difference to families across the UK.
Chloe Parfitt, External Communications Manager at Vodafone UK
The rise of the aggro-rithm showcases the insidious nature of toxic and false content on the internet and the impact it is having on boys
What are we asking Ofcom to do?
In October 2023, The Online Safety Bill became law as The Online Safety Act. It's now up to Ofcom to draw up codes and guidance to inform the new child safety duties under the Act. We're urging them to prioritise compelling online platforms to assess and mitigate the risk of harm to children caused by their features and functionalities.
Dear Ofcom
The rise of openly misogynistic influencers online and their hold over young boys and men is a deeply worrying trend. More than half of boys (52%) that have heard of influencers with ties to the manosphere have watched or liked content from them. Worryingly, over a third (39%) state they have a positive view of these influencers.
Social media and other online platforms incentivise this type of extreme content because it is ‘engaging’, just like conspiratorial, abusive, or violent content. Influencers in the ‘manosphere’ know this and exploit algorithmic and other design features to ensure their content gets vast reach.
The root of the problem is the lack of safety built into the online platforms that boys frequently engage with. Not enough is being done to protect our children and young people from toxic online content.
The only way to dial down misogyny and negative masculinity online is to rein in and reform the systems that recommend it. The Online Safety Act is a huge opportunity to address this vicious cycle.
As you draw up codes and guidance to inform the new child safety duties under the Act, we urge you to prioritise compelling online platforms to assess and mitigate the risk of harm to children caused by the features and functionalities of a service, as set out in sections 11(6)(b) and 12(8)(b) of the Act.
There will always be unsafe content online, and unsafe content will always be ‘engaging’. That’s why regulators must ensure platforms design their services to prioritise safety ahead of engagement, in line with the ‘safety by design’ aspiration on the face of the Online Safety Act.
Yours sincerely,
The undersigned
Vodafone is supporting Global Action Plan's petition, asking regulators to ensure tech platforms prioritise user safety in the design of their projects and services. Vodafone has created a hub of online resources to support parents and children in their conversations regarding online safety.
Find out more about why Global Action Plan are campaigning to create Safer Socials.
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