'My generation were raised in part by social media': 14-year-old

Mahsa Amini‘s recent untimely death has only highlighted this sad and distressing fact.

A record number of A record number of rapes in England and Wales have been recorded this year so far. These traumatised people - predominantly women and girls, have had their lives deeply affected by this experience.

In 26 American states and three territories, women’s bodies are being possessed by the State - abortion is either prohibited or strictly limited with very few exceptions, including rape.

In Saudi Arabia a PhD student was sentenced to 34 years in prison simply for tweeting feminist content and retweeting activists.

These horrifying events are just a few of many that illustrate the endeavours of governments seeking to strip women and girls of their dignity and rights. Can this really be acceptable?

A few weeks ago Mahsa Amini, an Iranian 22-year-old woman was brutally beaten and killed by the Iranian morality police. It was an attack on her - and another blatant attempt at destroying women's and girls’ rights, perpetuating a reality where females are presented as second class citizens.

One could argue that, with these unwanted legal developments, we as a society are effectively taking drastic and draconian steps backwards in our strive to equalise rights between men and women.

Outside the Iranian Embassy in central London protesting against the death of Iranian Mahsa Amini (Image: PA)

So how has social media affected people's outlooks regarding women’s rights/safety?

Due to the vast influence and reach of social media platforms, notably TikTok and Instagram, women all around the world have highlighted the atrocities suffered by women in every country, particularly in Iran and America.

This is how I became aware of the Mahsa Amini weekly protests occurring in Central London. 

Although social media can be a place for positivity and spreading awareness about women’s struggles, it has also been an unwelcome platform for misogynistic individuals to promote their sexist and oppressive beliefs. It is prolific.

Influencers worldwide have been given the opportunity to influence and shape their views of a new generation - my generation. It is concerning that some influences produce content which is greatly harmful to the progress that women have spent centuries achieving. 

Although, seemingly, social media has enabled a women’s rights discourse to circulate and subsequently expand the conversations, which is a hugely positive factor, many women are threatened by individual Influencers endeavouring to propagate an atmosphere of alarming hostility towards women.

Social media platforms need to be more conscious of the information they are allowing to accumulate in the minds of the young. Our generation has been jointly brought up by parents and social media. Parents have done their bit.

It is time that social media does its bit and look after the new generation of women and girls. Because, like all women and girls, we deserve better and because, we are worth it.

Melissa is a 14-year-old north London student.