In recent years we have seen growing concern for the impact of digital content on the formation of new generations. The British teenascence series, which faces the spread of misogynist speeches and the influence of the Incel community among young people, has become a cultural phenomenon and has led the British government to make it available for free in schools and high schools.
By Diogo Fernandes Sousa *
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This decision reflects an educational and preventive approach, recognizing that ideological radicalization does not occur only in physical spaces, but also in the digital universe so that Portugal should follow this trend and consider similar measures, strengthening the role of education in the deconstruction of hatred and narratives of misogyny that proliferate on social networks.
Online radicalization and the growth of digital misogyny are not isolated phenomena, but the symptoms of a deeper social problem. The Incel community, the central theme of the series, does not present itself in a cultural void, which represents an extreme manifestation of male frustration associated with rigid gender norms and a feeling of social exclusion. Many young people, in particular males, have difficulty managing emotional and interpersonal waste, finding on social networks and closed forums a space in which these emotions are amplified and manipulated by strangers. The lack of emotional and digital literacy makes them more vulnerable to misogynist propaganda, which presents women as guilty of their personal difficulties, promoting a dangerous cycle of resentment and hatred.
In Portugal, experts warn a setback in the respect standards for women and an increase in the vulnerability of young women in the face of male domain speeches. The national confederation of parents’ associations and various educational psychologists point out that parents often do not have the necessary tools to guide their children in the critical interpretation of digital content they consume, therefore digital literacy and emotional regulation are fundamental components that should be more explored in the educational system.
The United Kingdom decision to integrate adolescence into the school curriculum reveals the recognition that the school should also educate for citizenship and healthy social coexistence. The fight against digital misogyny should be treated in a structured way, with the implementation of educational plans that encourage critical thinking and empathy. Portugal could follow this example, promoting the debate on this theme in schools, but also by creating pedagogical strategies to dismantle hatred speeches and sensitize young people to the impact of their digital interactions.
In addition to the educational dimension, it is essential to strengthen the regulation of digital platforms. The United Kingdom has already approved a law on digital security, imposing responsibility for the responsibility for removing illegal content and reducing the exposure of young people to misogynies, violent or hatred incitements. In Portugal, although there are some legislative initiatives relating to the fight against disinformation of disinformation and online hatred, a robust regulatory framework that effectively explains digital platforms and creates effective protection mechanisms for young people.
The performance of the adolescent series in British schools can be a turning point in the way in which the role of the educational system has to face the prevention of online radicalization. Portugal cannot ignore this reality and should reflect on the need for public policies that promote an approach that combines education, digital regulation and psychosocial support.
* Writer of the book “Direction of the Nation: Reflection on Portuguese”. Professor at the Jean Piaget Polytechnic Institute.
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