Danish Study Finds Misogynistic TikTok Content Reaches Teen Boys Quickly

TikTok algorithms can show misogynistic content to young male users within minutes. This occurs even when boys do not actively search for such topics. Researchers from two Danish organizations conducted the study. The Center for Digital Pedagogy and Analyse & Tal led the project.

The researchers created eight fictional profiles of young men aged 16 to 19. These profiles showed interest in fitness, dating, investing, and gaming. After interacting with related videos, the accounts scrolled automatically for one hour. Content from misogynistic online groups appeared after three minutes on average. In one instance, harmful content appeared in just 21 seconds.

These online groups degrade women and promote restricting female rights. The study also examined one year of viewing data from 29 young men. These participants were aged 15 to 22. Each participant saw five to six misogynistic videos per week. Researchers noted this was a conservative estimate.

Employment and Equality Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen responded to the findings. She called for stronger regulation of social media platforms. She also urged more discussion in local schools and homes. TikTok stated it takes the study results seriously. Nordic communications director Lukasz Lindell shared the company response. He said TikTok removes 98.1 percent of hateful content proactively. The company is working to improve content diversity for users.