Today we’re launching the #FixOurFeeds campaign.
Teach Us Consent is calling on the Australian Government to introduce a world-leading opt-in feature for social media algorithms. This will bring affirmative, informed consent to our digital lives by giving us real control: algorithm-free feeds by default, with the ability to opt in, or out, at any time.
Why? Because across Australia, young men and boys are being systemically radicalised online through a constant feed of harmful misogynistic content. And it’s directly contributing to the nation’s worsening crisis of gender-based violence.
Most young men are not looking for anti-feminist content, but the invisible code behind our screens seems determined to make sure it finds them. Victims of s*xual assault and harassment deserve better. Young men being targeted and led down these spurious rabbit holes deserve better too.
Read and sign our open letter to the Prime Minister on our website. Link in bio.
Today marks exactly one year since we launched a petition demanding for earlier and more holistic consent education to be mandated in Australian schools. After over 44,000 signatures, more than 6,700 testimonies of sexual assault, and countless hours of volunteer work and support, we are very happy to announce that we did it ‼️🎉 thank you to everyone involved ❤️
“when street harassment happens, it contributes to a world where all women are in a semi-constant state of fear and vigilance to pay attention to their surroundings. all men benefit from that”
what an honour to chalk and talk with the one and only chanel contos @chanelc , founder of @teachusconsent 💜
chalk back and teach us consent are working to eliminate sexual violence everywhere. this anti-street harassment week and every week, we continue to chalk back towards a world where all women, girls and gender expansive people have a right to exist freely and safely, on and off the streets.
check out episode 7 of chalk and talk with chanel and head to our instagram highlights to check out our full series🖍️🎙️
video description pinned in comments.
thank you @todayshow for having me on to talk about the gendered harms of algorithms & a solution to this drastically rising issue #FixOurFeeds @teachusconsent
"When Louis Theroux makes a documentary, the world tunes in," @chanelcwrites for Mamamia.
"Not just because of his unique ability to infiltrate polarising spaces and connect with subcommunities that are notoriously hard to reach, but also because his documentaries tend to bring the most pressing issues of our time into widespread discourse.
"In his most recent documentary released last week, Inside the Manosphere, he does just that. Theroux's highly-anticipated Netflix special follows some of the most prominent figures in the manosphere and puts them on the world stage in a call for accountability.
"But who are we holding to account?"
Read the full story in the link in bio.
📸: Supplied.
#louistheroux #documentary #socialmedia
We've said it before and we won't stop saying it: Albo, will you let us #FixOurFeeds?
Let's get to 10,000 signatures on our social media algorithm reform campaign. Link in bio to add your name & send it to a friend.
Couldn’t be more obsessed with the @teachusconsent team or more proud of what we’ve achieved together 💌 thank you @elleaus@kat_madd for covering our 5 year birthday! & thank you @courtneyzhengofficial and @shonajoy for making sure we look goooood while doing it all 🔥
It’s been the greatest honour of my career to be part of the official Australian Government delegation to the United Nations to represent civil society alongside @jahnacedar
We are at the 70th Commission on the Status of Women but really, what we are discussing is the way male violence, supremacy, and entitlement has permeated all structures - from the individual to our biggest systems, landing us in a world where most girls and women are yet to have full human rights.
During my speeches I have highlighted:
🇺🇳 that sexual violence is a crime similar to but distinct from domestic violence
🇺🇳 the key role that social media algorithms are playing in the sudden and drastic resurgence of misogynistic attitudes and behaviours
🇺🇳 the role p*rnography is playing in promoting problematic gender stereotypes and distorting the sexual socialisation of young people when it’s used as sex education
🇺🇳 & the real world ramifications of this - specifically that a teenage boy is now the most likely perpetrator of child sexual abuse in Australia, mostly on adolescent girls who are their current of former partners or known to them
The priority theme this year is justice, so I want to use my time here to learn from advocates and experts about how we can reimagine accountability. This couldn’t be more important in a world where the criminal system systematically fails women to the point where we have essentially decriminalised sexual violence.
A true dream to be here learning alongside people who have championed gender equity across all corners of the globe 🩵 happy late IWD I love women xxxxx
Opinion: If we're serious about social cohesion, big tech hate machines must be reined in. Outrage, lies, jealousy, fear and anger all drive higher engagement, almost always on the basis of 'us' and 'them', writes Chanel Contos.
"This creates an environment where hateful content doesn't merely exist – it succeeds and dominates, at the expense of social cohesion."
Read the full opinion piece at the link in bio.
Photo: @alexellinghausen
Today, on Safer Internet Day, I joined other members of the crossbench to call on the Government to adopt @teachusconsent ’s #FixOurFeeds campaign, which would require social media platforms to make algorithms an opt-in feature.
Social media companies use algorithms to keep users online by promoting content that intensifies negative emotions like anger and outrage. This maximises their profit, but undermines social cohesion and mental health, spreads misinformation, promotes eating disorders, and amplifies hate speech, misogyny, homophobia and racism.
The #FixOurFeeds initiative puts control and choice back where it belongs: into the hands of Australians. It is time for the Government to show courage and take decisive action.
