Gender Based Online Harms: Implications for Governance

“Your body, my choice. Forever,” posted Nick Fuentes, a right-wing media figure, on the social media platform X in the hours following the 2024 U.S. federal election. This inflammatory slogan quickly became a rallying cry for men on the far right, many of whom supported Donald Trump—whose campaign amplified misogynistic rhetoric—while with some exceptions, women overwhelmingly backed Kamala Harris, who championed reproductive rights and gender equity. This stark gender divide reflects a broader, troubling trend in Western democracies: the growing polarization between men and women on issues such as reproductive rights, gender equity, and gender-based violence. Social media platforms exacerbate these divisions by amplifying divisive and emotional content through algorithms designed to maximize engagement. Influencers like Fuentes and Andrew Tate capitalize on these dynamics, spreading misogynistic narratives that promote toxic masculinity as a response to societal challenges. Platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) not only host but amplify these voices, rewarding controversial and hateful content that deepens polarization and fosters harmful behaviors. Governance decisions by social media companies have largely failed to address these issues. Inconsistent policies and a lack of transparency allow gendered harassment, online violence, and the erosion of gender equity to thrive. While government interventions and advocacy efforts have spurred some progress, significant gaps remain. Addressing these challenges requires a nuanced understanding of how digital platforms shape societal divides and how governance practices can mitigate their harmful effects. This project investigates the intersection of gendered political polarization, platform dynamics, and platform governance practices, using Canada and the UK as case studies. It aims to: Synthesize the state of scholarly understanding of the relationship between gender and political polarization in digital spaces. Analyze Canada and the UK as case studies to examine how platform governance influences these dynamics in Western democracies. Inform evidence-based governance approaches to mitigate the impacts of gendered polarization. Canada and the UK provide contrasting contexts for this analysis. Canada’s Online Harms Act, currently under development, offers a starting point for addressing these issues, while the UK’s Online Safety Bill represents a more mature regulatory framework. By examining the successes and shortcomings of these approaches, the research will identify opportunities to enhance governance practices. The urgency of this work is underscored by the 2024 U.S. election, which revealed deepening gender divides that mirror global trends. As social media platforms continue to amplify harmful narratives, these divides threaten gender equity, public safety, and democratic resilience. This project’s findings will provide actionable recommendations for governments, civil society, and technology companies, emphasizing the need for transparent and accountable platform policies that prioritize inclusivity and protection from harm. By bridging gaps in knowledge and proposing evidence-based solutions, this research seeks to reduce polarization, foster healthier online environments, and support equitable and democratic discourse. Its outcomes will empower policymakers, educators, and technology leaders to create digital spaces that uphold freedom of expression while safeguarding against the harms of algorithmically amplified division.