One of the most concerning phenomena on social media is misogyny, or aversion towards women. Over those past years, women have received a lot of criticism regarding the way they behave, dress, and express themselves on social media. For example, there are algorithms that target married women that define how they should act. Not everything about these algorithms is bad; however, social media does tend to cater to the user’s predetermined ideologies.
According to Psychology Today, social media has had a negative influence on how men treat women. With the popularity of TikTok, women have been the main subject of trends promoting unrealistic beauty standards. This is despite the feminism that has been heavily carried since 2020 by Gen Z. Feminism acts as a resistant tool against the patriarchal structures that enforce rigid beauty standards. It points out that men often view women through distorted beauty standards, fostering objectification and creating a normalization of toxic gender roles.
Even though social media has affected the way a lot of men see women negatively, we can also see some positive side effects. According to Women in Tech Network, social media has positively shifted how men see women by democratizing visibility and reshaping digital culture. Platforms have amplified women’s voices, normalized female leadership, and fostered a cultural appreciation for authenticity and equality, ultimately challenging historical stereotypes. Those digital platforms have provided a powerful tool for modern feminism.
Women have been the focus of many negative subjects on social media, creating a lot of interactions based on gender stereotypes. To conclude, social media companies should change their algorithms away from harmful gender stereotypes. This could have an impact over many generations, if we start to create a new way of reflection starting with the younger age.
Sources
Ballaro, Beverly, and Geraldine Wagner. “Body Image and the Media: Overview.” Points of View: Body Image & the Media, 27 June 2025, pp. 1-6. Points of View Reference Source, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=feef917b-5e31-344f-a6a1-126930ae9d16.
“Equal Rights Amendment: Guide to Critical Analysis.” Points of View: Equal Rights Amendment, 1 Nov. 2025, pp. 1-4. Points of View Reference Source, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=ba5f5116-911c-351a-bec5-bb22393eb039.Rich, Alex K., and
Katherine Walker. “Gender Equality: Overview.” Points of View: Gender Equality, 6 Mar. 2026, pp. 1-7. Points of View Reference Source, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=b58b76e4-76b6-3c6c-b501-e39619dde6cd.
Social Media Affects How Men See Women
By Anne Zidor ‘26
One of the most concerning phenomena on social media is misogyny, or aversion towards women. Over those past years, women have received a lot of criticism regarding the way they behave, dress, and express themselves on social media. For example, there are algorithms that target married women that define how they should act. Not everything about these algorithms is bad; however, social media does tend to cater to the user’s predetermined ideologies.
According to Psychology Today, social media has had a negative influence on how men treat women. With the popularity of TikTok, women have been the main subject of trends promoting unrealistic beauty standards. This is despite the feminism that has been heavily carried since 2020 by Gen Z. Feminism acts as a resistant tool against the patriarchal structures that enforce rigid beauty standards. It points out that men often view women through distorted beauty standards, fostering objectification and creating a normalization of toxic gender roles.
Even though social media has affected the way a lot of men see women negatively, we can also see some positive side effects. According to Women in Tech Network, social media has positively shifted how men see women by democratizing visibility and reshaping digital culture. Platforms have amplified women’s voices, normalized female leadership, and fostered a cultural appreciation for authenticity and equality, ultimately challenging historical stereotypes. Those digital platforms have provided a powerful tool for modern feminism.
Women have been the focus of many negative subjects on social media, creating a lot of interactions based on gender stereotypes. To conclude, social media companies should change their algorithms away from harmful gender stereotypes. This could have an impact over many generations, if we start to create a new way of reflection starting with the younger age.
Sources
Ballaro, Beverly, and Geraldine Wagner. “Body Image and the Media: Overview.” Points of View: Body Image & the Media, 27 June 2025, pp. 1-6. Points of View Reference Source, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=feef917b-5e31-344f-a6a1-126930ae9d16.
“Equal Rights Amendment: Guide to Critical Analysis.” Points of View: Equal Rights Amendment, 1 Nov. 2025, pp. 1-4. Points of View Reference Source, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=ba5f5116-911c-351a-bec5-bb22393eb039.Rich, Alex K., and
Katherine Walker. “Gender Equality: Overview.” Points of View: Gender Equality, 6 Mar. 2026, pp. 1-7. Points of View Reference Source, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=b58b76e4-76b6-3c6c-b501-e39619dde6cd.