SDLP MLA Sinead McLaughlin
Said Ms McLaughlin: “I am really concerned, as are many of the women I speak with, about the rise in misogynistic influencers on social media.
“We have seen a worrying trend in recent years of individuals gaining popularity across social media who peddle harmful and dangerous views on the role of women in our society.
“Although these individuals are often dismissed as merely ‘controversial’, this characterisation too often lets them away unchallenged with views which are beyond the pale and should be robustly confronted.
“I know how difficult and challenging this is for parents to navigate and keep their children safe as young people will also encounter these videos through friends and the content very easily sucks people in.
“I would encourage all parents to keep dialogue open with their children and be a listening area.
“Some parents have told me that it can be helpful to start with things like explaining why we shouldn’t use phrases like ‘don’t be a girl’ or ‘boys will be boys’ which, at an early stage, can normalise sexist attitudes.
“However, there is only so much that parents can do in this area.
“I’m calling on the social media companies themselves to step in and take responsibility for the sharing of such speech on their platforms.
“There is also a role for the government here. We need to start dismantling structures that help to sustain and legitimise misogyny, including in our schools.
“That starts with comprehensive relationship and sexuality education that teaches children from an early age about healthy relationships and can help children to keep themselves safe online.”
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