The algorithm knows many of us are feeling lonely and craving connection. Some young men are feeling this particularly hard.
The algorithm exploits that vulnerability by feeding boys & men content from creators that claim to be able to to “fix” the emptiness they feel. And, in many cases, it offers a simple explanation for this isolation and disenfranchisement: blame women and feminism.
This isn’t just a theory arising from moral panic. There’s a growing body of research which explores the link between algorithms and misogynistic content.
We investigate that in this week’s newsletter, which you can sign up to receive at the link in our bio ⬆️
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 we’re hard launching something we’ve been working on for a while: over 100 resources made by and for young people to learn about consent, harm prevention and healthy relationships.
Get confident with consent and relationships at teachusconsent.com or through the link in our bio.
WARNING: This content may contain flashing images or patterns that could trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy
Is this the biggest green flag during a hookup? Asking for consent doesn’t have to sound like a script. It can be as easy as “is this okay?” or “you good?” Just quick, chill check-ins in the moment. You don’t need a whole speech or a contract, it’s about making sure you’re both on the same page.
Alcohol can mess with your ability to give and read consent. How can you tell if someone’s had too much to drink? Slurred words, stumbling or confusion are all signs someone doesn’t have the capacity to consent. Two people drinking doesn’t “cancel it out” – consent needs to be clear, informed and genuinely wanted by everyone involved. You can always grab them a glass of water, make sure they’re okay and leave it for another time.
The tricky thing about taking accountability is that we have to really reflect on our actions and behaviours, but it's also a great opportunity to better ourselves.
We unpack all this and more on the podcast, hit the link in bio to listen 🎧
Join The Line, Teach Us Consent and Melbourne Demons premiership player and former captain Jack Viney to talk about making mistakes, making amends and taking accountability.
Join from 6PM AEST Tuesday, May 12 at r/theline_aus
The AMA is part The Line and Teach Us Consent's campaign called '...Now What?' which tackled the terrifying grey area that comes after making a mistake.
#jackviney #AFL #reddit #AMA
Have you heard of ‘spectatorship’ during s*x? In this ep we chat about some of the reasons this might happen.
One is that p*rn is literally a performance - it's entertainment. When we try a stick to scripts we see online and emulate the structure or characters, we can be doing ourselves a massive disservice.
Performance anxiety is a very normal part of s*x and intimacy, but p*rn could be making it worse. The best way to get out of your head? Name it, check-in, talk to your partner and break the script.
We unpack all this and more in the pod this week, listen to the full chat via the link in bio or search Teach Us Consent wherever you get your podcasts 🎧
Teach Us Consent is hiring in Australia! We have some exciting new projects coming up so we’re expanding the team.
These roles are all based in Australia, remote, 12 month contracts. Applications close this month. Head to the link in bio for the full job description and to apply🧑💻
@marleeliss writes for this week’s newsletter: “We deserve access to a version of justice that is truly consensual and compatible with our needs.”
Comment ‘newsletter’ to subscribe and get the full article, or head to the link in our bio. We publish weekly essays, cultural analysis, and relationships and consent education from thought-leaders around the world.
We all like to think of ourselves as good people, but we’re all capable of making mistakes or hurting people.
Taking accountability means acknowledging that you’ve caused hurt - even if you didn’t mean to - and committing to not repeating the same behaviour.
Check out the full ep with @kathebbs , @outbacktom & @louisphillips12 . Hit the link in bio.
