Many women and young women suffer from misinformation on the Internet

The Internet may be a powerful place in the struggle for gender equality, but so far it has been disappointing. As more and more young women and young women access the Internet, they often encounter prejudice, misconceptions and stereotyping online: this is how you should be and how you should behave.

Large-scale research shows that women and girls are more vulnerable to this online misinformation and misinformation. 87 percent say it negatively affects their lives. Three women say Metro Their story.

Everyone has to deal with misinformation and misinformation, but Investigation of the truth gap By International Project It shows that it mainly affects women and young women. “Every day, women and young women are bombarded online with stereotypes about their bodies and how they should behave,” said director Karen Reyes. “Because of the increasing digitalization, it is more important than ever for women to learn to move between half-truths and prejudices.”

Many women deal with false information online

Misinformation and misinformation affects women and young women around the world in all its forms: stereotyping, online (sexual) harassment, physical humiliation and, for example, lies and rumors about female politicians, thus making women underestimate themselves. Reyes believes it is important to “keep from getting tired of hearing their voices”, but it still happens today. One in four women is less likely to share their opinion, and one in five women has stopped acting politically or socially.

So it’s no surprise that 91 percent of women worry about misinformation and misinformation online. In many cases women and young women in particular have relied on online information, especially on topics about them. Take, for example, sexuality, feminism, women’s rights and sexual health rights. These subjects are often restricted to their immediate environment (school or home). Nearly half of women sometimes feel depressed, anxious or sad because of misinformation and misinformation on the internet.

Sarah, Alyssa and Anne say Metro About how misinformation online affects (negatively) their lives.

‘I had a problem with my self-image’

Sarah (21) faces misinformation and misinformation online, especially on Instagram: “Almost always there is Photoshop. I spend an hour a day on Instagram. If you look at photos of people who have been photoshopped all the time, it makes you insecure. This is not just happening to the Kardashians, it is happening everywhere. Everyone knows how to do it Fastunen, Which is very accessible. It makes it hard to see that something is fake, but I often see it because I am emotionally involved with it. If you are not consciously engaged, I think you can beat it very easily. Especially with young girls and boys. “

“Now it doesn’t bother me. I accept the way I look, but as I get older I remember that it affected me a lot. I started to have trouble with my self-image, I started to doubt myself and saw everything I did. When there are so many good things to keep you busy, You know very well how you are.

You see very few women in politics

Alyssa (21) is one of four women who are very careful in expressing her opinion as she looks online. And some women are involved. For example, you often see men talking in politics or in leadership roles. Of course, lately it has been improving more and more, but as a result you are less likely to be responsible as a woman in a mixed group, for example at school. It puts me in more control. In a room full of men, I am more likely to keep my mouth shut.

“It would help if I saw more women in leadership roles like the Prime Minister of New Zealand. I see her. And not just the women above when it comes to female topics, for example more women talking about ICT. The same woman needs to be broken.

‘Physical shame weakens one’

The stereotypical woman is something that Anne (24) has encountered a lot in recent years. It is often said online what people think of her and how she should be. “Recently a man posted a comment under my bikini photo: ‘Bit to bottle’. I found it very difficult. People don’t realize how it can affect someone. It’s simple. I’m very dedicated to what I post and how I want to show my body. “

A few years ago, that student was also harassed on Twitter. In one photo a guy tagged me, where you saw me suffering from an eating disorder. Add the hashtag ‘Anorexia’. The others marked each other there. This way you make sure someone is more vulnerable. There are a lot more emotions behind it. Friends want to help by saying ‘Leave me alone’, but isn’t there a way to calm it down? “

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