What's happened
A recent study reveals that advocates of incel ideology are rebranding themselves as 'Sub5s' on TikTok, using socially acceptable language to promote misogynistic beliefs. This shift allows them to bypass platform bans while normalizing harmful views about masculinity and attractiveness, particularly among young users.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- Rebranding Tactics: The incel community is adopting terms like 'Sub5' and 'looksmaxxing' to disguise their misogynistic rhetoric as self-improvement.
- Mainstreaming Misogyny: This rebranding allows harmful ideologies to infiltrate broader digital spaces, making them more palatable to a wider audience.
- Youth Vulnerability: With a significant portion of TikTok's user base being teenagers, the normalization of these beliefs poses risks for young users, potentially shaping their views on gender and relationships.
- Cultural Reflection: The popularity of shows like 'Adolescence' reflects and amplifies these ideologies, suggesting a troubling intersection between media representation and real-world attitudes.
- Platform Responsibility: TikTok's efforts to moderate content are challenged by the clever tactics used by these communities to evade bans, raising questions about the effectiveness of current moderation strategies.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, researchers Anda Iulia Solea and Dr. Lisa Sugiura argue that incel ideology is being mainstreamed through rebranding efforts, stating, "These mechanisms reframe overtly toxic, misogynistic and extremist rhetoric into socially palatable discourses of self-improvement." The Independent highlights that while TikTok bans the term 'incel', users can still find content under terms like 'Sub5', indicating a loophole in content moderation. The Mirror emphasizes the cultural context, noting that incel beliefs often blame women for men's romantic failures, which is echoed in the Netflix series 'Adolescence'. This convergence of media and ideology illustrates the urgent need for critical engagement with such narratives.
How we got here
Incel culture, a loose network of anti-woman communities, has gained attention due to its misogynistic views and the rise of social media platforms. The Netflix show 'Adolescence' has further spotlighted these beliefs, prompting discussions about their impact on youth.
Go deeper
- What is the PSL scale?
- How does TikTok moderate content?
- What impact does 'Adolescence' have on youth?
Common question
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How is Incel Ideology Affecting Youth Culture Today?
Incel ideology, often associated with anti-women sentiments, is evolving and finding new platforms among youth, particularly on social media. This page explores how the incel community is rebranding itself, the implications of movements like 'Sub5s', and the role of platforms like TikTok in spreading these ideas. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing their impact on young people's views about relationships and masculinity.
More on these topics
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.
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Adolescence is a British television psychological crime drama series created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham and directed by Philip Barantini. It centres on a 13-year-old schoolboy, Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is arrested after the murder of a girl.
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TikTok/Douyin is a Chinese video-sharing social networking service owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based Internet technology company founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming.