Today, algorithms shape more parts of our lives for most young people than almost anyone can fathom. From endless scrolling on TikTok and Instagram, to the more insidious ways in which recommendation systems determine what to display next, algorithms shape beliefs, emotions, and identity. However, recent reports have shown that not only are these systems addictive, but they also increasingly push extreme, harmful, and misogynistic content right into the feeds of teenagers.
In this climate of growing concern among parents, educators, and policymakers alike, understanding how algorithms work, why they amplify harmful content, and what adults can do to protect young people is urgently needed.
What Are Algorithms—and Why Do They Matter?
Algorithms are invisible instructions that predetermine what appears on your screen. They filter through billions of posts, videos, and ads in order to build a personalized feed designed to keep you watching, tapping, and scrolling.
Examples of platforms which use powerful recommender systems:
TikTok (For You Page)
Instagram: Reels, Explore, Stories
YouTube: Suggested Videos, Shorts
Netflix, Spotify, Amazon, Snapchat, Tinder and many more
While helpful in some respect, algorithms are designed to promote engagement-not wellbeing. This often means that extreme, emotionally charged, or sensational content gets amplified because it attracts the user’s attention and maintains them on the platform.
This, for still developing adolescents in critical thinking and identity, is dangerous.
How Algorithms Pull Teens Into Harmful Rabbit Holes
A young person might start by viewing innocuous fitness tips, gaming videos, or posts about self-improvement. But algorithms quickly escalate content to keep them engaged—sometimes pushing them toward harmful, distorted, or extreme themes.
For Boys Algorithms often escalate towards:
- Misogyny and anger-based content
- Toxic masculinity
- “Looksmaxxing” and unrealistic male appearance ideals
- Violent or sexually explicit material
For Girls A simple search about dieting or wellness can lead to:
- Unrealistic beauty standards
- Disordered eating content
- Depression, self-harm, or suicidal ideation
- Pressures to Conform to Harmful Expectations
These rabbit holes trap teenagers in echo chambers, which are digital spaces that distort reality and reinforce harmful beliefs.
New Research: Misogynistic Content Spiking on Social Media
A major report by University College London and the University of Kent uncovered alarming trends in the way algorithms push misogynistic content.
In a controlled study, the researchers created teenage “archetype” accounts on TikTok: representing boys with interests such as fitness, self-improvement, or loneliness.
Results were shocking:
In just five days, TikTok recommended 4x more misogynistic content. Videos with objectification, sexual harassment, anti-women narratives, skyrocketed from 13% to 56% of total recommendations. The more vulnerable the teen was-lonely, anxious, in poor mental health-the more extreme the content became. This harmful material is usually presented in the form of “entertainment,” making it easier for teens to absorb and much harder for adults to spot. The researchers found these ideologies are now spilling from screens into school playgrounds and are influencing the way young people interact, think, and talk about gender.
Why This Matters: Consequences in the Real World to Young People
Continuous exposure to extreme content will include:
- Dependency and Addiction: Infinite scrolling and autoplay foster compulsive use, making it difficult for adolescents to disconnect from it.
- Misleading Information: Algorithms promote content that is bound to be inexact, injurious, or even conspiracy-based.
- Distorted Worldviews: Echo chambers warp expectations about: Relationships, Gender roles, Success and self-worth, also Body image
- Changes in Offline Behavior: School leaders say misogynistic tropes are being normalized in youth culture, often through online figures like Andrew Tate. Growing Calls for Regulation and Platform Accountability
Educators, parents, and policy makers are demanding stronger protections:
The Online Safety Act gives Ofcom, the UK’s regulator, powers to fine platforms that do not adequately protect young users. There are calls for more rigid regulations regarding high-risk algorithms, which place profit over safety. Advocacy groups say platforms like TikTok must review their systems urgently, as current protections are not enough. Even political leaders emphasize the need for fast action to keep harmful content away from young people.
How Parents, Careers, and Educators Can Help
You don’t need to be a tech expert to keep the young people in your life safe. Here are some practical steps:
- Explain About How Algorithms Works: show them that feeds from social media are curated—not random—and are designed to influence behavior.
- Create Open Conversations: Ask what they’re seeing online and how it makes them feel about their daily life, but do not intrude too much.
- Establish Healthy Limits: give them time limits when using devices, like giving them screen-free routines, and bedtime time limit.
- Diversify Online Experiences: Encourage their interest in hobbies, by giving them outdoor time, making creative activities, and content from reputable sources.
- Utilize Safety Equipment: Privacy settings, content filters, restricted modes and finally parental controls help to reduce risk.
- Teach Critical Thinking: Help teens evaluate and question content, rather than accepting it at face value.
A balanced, thoughtful, and informed “healthy digital diet” strategy is far better than outright bans.
Final Takeaway:
Algorithms Shape a Generation—So Adults Must Stay Engaged Algorithms are not neutral: they amplify what gets the most reaction, not what is healthiest. While young people may feel in control of their online worlds, the truth is that recommender systems quietly shape their behavior, beliefs, and emotional wellbeing. By understanding how algorithms operate-and by having consistent, supportive conversations with teens-parents, educators, and communities can minimize harm and help young people navigate the digital world safely.
