bbc.com
Social Media's Role in Child Pornography Access and Violence Against Women in Northern Ireland
The head of Northern Ireland's child safeguarding organization revealed that children as young as nine are accessing "vile" pornography on social media, leading to concerning behaviors and highlighting the need for greater intervention in schools and communities; the issue was discussed at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee alongside the silencing effects of online violence against women.
- What immediate actions are needed to address the readily available pornography that children in Northern Ireland are accessing via social media?
- Children in Northern Ireland are accessing pornography on social media platforms, with some as young as nine years old, according to the head of Northern Ireland's child safeguarding organization. This has led to the normalization of such content and concerning behaviors, such as children asking teachers about choking women.
- What long-term strategies can effectively hold social media companies accountable for protecting children from harmful content and ensuring safer online environments?
- The lack of awareness among social media companies about significant cases like that of Alexander McCartney, who was jailed for extreme online sexual abuse and manslaughter, demonstrates a critical gap in online child safety measures. The future requires stronger regulatory action and increased accountability from social media platforms to prevent further harm to children.
- How are social media platforms contributing to the normalization of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland, and what systemic changes are needed to mitigate this?
- The accessibility of pornography through social media is exacerbating violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. This normalization is reflected in the reported increase of choking during sex among 16-18 year old girls and the concerning questions children are asking in school. This issue highlights the urgent need for intervention in schools and communities.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and opening sentences immediately establish a negative tone, focusing on the alarming aspect of children's access to pornography. This framing sets the stage for the rest of the article and may predispose readers to view social media primarily as a source of harm. The sequencing of information, starting with the shocking statistic and then proceeding to the testimonies further reinforces this negative framing.
Language Bias
Words like "vile," "shocking," and descriptions of the pornography as "just beyond belief" contribute to a highly charged emotional tone. These words lack neutrality and may influence reader perceptions by emphasizing the sensational aspects of the issue. More neutral alternatives could include describing the pornography as "explicit" or "inappropriate," and focusing on the concrete harms rather than resorting to emotionally charged descriptions.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative impacts of social media on children, particularly regarding access to pornography and the normalization of violence against women. However, it omits potential positive uses of social media, the efforts of platforms to combat this issue (beyond mentioning guidelines), and alternative perspectives on the role of influencers or the effectiveness of current interventions. This omission might lead readers to a skewed understanding of the issue, overlooking the complexities involved and potential mitigating factors.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't explicitly present a false dichotomy, but the strong emphasis on negative consequences might implicitly suggest a simplistic view of social media as solely harmful, neglecting the nuanced reality of its uses and impacts.
Gender Bias
While the article highlights violence against women and girls, it does not explicitly analyze gender bias within social media algorithms or content moderation practices. The focus remains on the impact on women and girls as victims, rather than examining potential gendered biases in the creation and spread of harmful content.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights that children as young as nine are accessing pornography, indicating a failure to protect children and provide them with a safe learning environment. The normalization of pornography through social media further exacerbates this issue, hindering quality education and impacting children's well-being. The fact that children are asking teachers about choking women points to a disturbing normalization of violence learned through online exposure.