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leftstreet

(39,799 posts)

79. Instagram isn't CAUSING her problems

Mon Feb 23, 2026, 01:20 PM

21 hrs ago

The MISOGYNISTS on the platform are.

I'm sure you don't realize you can inadvertently come across as supporting institutional misogyny

If this were a person of color describing pervasive racist attacks on social media, would you advise they leave?

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Ilikepurple Bettie Duncan Grant EarthAbides biophile spooky3 drray23 love_katz valleyrogue StopTheNeoCons raging moderate

195 replies

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I am a 15-year-old girl. Let me show you the vile misogyny that confronts me on social media every day [View all] marble falls Yesterday OP

Social Media Has Made Society Worse Than It Was ProfessorGAC Yesterday #1

Indeed. And we raise our men terribly. marble falls Yesterday #2

That reminds me of a remark soldierant 11 hrs ago #189

There is a cure for all these, but no one wants to do it...UNSUBSCRIBE to ALL of it! That is the CURE! Escurumbele Yesterday #24

Ok By Me ProfessorGAC 23 hrs ago #57

Good idea but not realistic blubunyip 21 hrs ago #70

Because we let them. Because there is no credible protest against this. Because this Scrivener7 17 hrs ago #136

What about having men police themselves? How many men call out other men for their hateful comments and threats? ihaveaquestion 21 hrs ago #86

You used the word "male." Is that not derogatory, yet "female" is? Doodley 19 hrs ago #109

You think you scored a big point there, don't you? Scrivener7 17 hrs ago #135

Using "male" as an adjective rather than a noun is appropriate. Here's a link spooky3 17 hrs ago #143

That's your response to a call for men to be responsible? WTF!?!?! ihaveaquestion 14 hrs ago #177

I doubt there are many men on this forum who disagree that there are men who are disrespectful to women, and Doodley 13 hrs ago #186

Worse by orders of magnitude. SKKY 14 hrs ago #179

Why anyone still uses any Zuckerberg product is beyond me. No one needs that and they're Scrivener7 Yesterday #3

Quit FB years ago. Never went on Instagram. Ritabert Yesterday #7

Same here, and I'm a 78-year-old man with a wife and sisters. Email, and DU is the extent of my online activity. usaf-vet 23 hrs ago #52

Same here. Ritabert 21 hrs ago #88

Stop Greg_In_SF Yesterday #4

Good Point ProfessorGAC Yesterday #5

Any forum with inadequate moderation is quickly hijacked by men and boys... hunter 22 hrs ago #60

Right blubunyip 21 hrs ago #73

Then, at the very least, there needs to be a movement demanding adequate moderation. Scrivener7 21 hrs ago #80

Not sure this equates. Hope22 Yesterday #12

Post removed Post removed Yesterday #14

So, basically, kudzukimchi Yesterday #19

Really, dude? Welcome to DU. Scrivener7 Yesterday #21

I just knew Greg_In_SF Yesterday #23

Agree Mossfern 23 hrs ago #41

Well said! csusan 23 hrs ago #42

She's 15. All kids are on social media. Joinfortmill 23 hrs ago #31

Again, it's Greg_In_SF 23 hrs ago #35

Not quite. Joinfortmill 23 hrs ago #39

Umm... Greg_In_SF 23 hrs ago #40

That's Boomer logic Polybius 22 hrs ago #63

Yes blubunyip 21 hrs ago #75

It brought back the memory of then PM Golda Meir's response when men suggested she enact a curfew for women Attilatheblond 18 hrs ago #127

Similar to get the red out 18 hrs ago #128

But, it seems, there are only two available options: leave the source, or demand Scrivener7 21 hrs ago #83

I'm not going to pretend to have a solution, but this is not just about social media spaces. Ilikepurple 17 hrs ago #144

I'm in no way dismissive of her concerns. And I've said elsewhere in the thread Scrivener7 16 hrs ago #149

The issue is that the abuse does not stop online. The piece was a plea for change not a request for personal advice Ilikepurple 16 hrs ago #161

I'm not dismissing anything. I never said anything about the banning children idea being outlandish, in fact Scrivener7 15 hrs ago #163

I'm sorry. I apologize for mixing some of your comments with another member. Ilikepurple 14 hrs ago #178

Have a nice night. Scrivener7 13 hrs ago #180

Boys will stop that behaviour when they find out it is not cool, when there is no one on social media, besides Escurumbele Yesterday #26

Victim blaming much? You're kidding, right? Joinfortmill 23 hrs ago #33

Amazing to me how the victim is always held responsible because "we all know men can't help speaking ... marble falls 23 hrs ago #58

This message was self-deleted by its author blubunyip 21 hrs ago #76

Please explain how the post is "victim blaming." Doodley 19 hrs ago #119

Telling girls to get off social media doesn't solve the problem and it's a bit like spooky3 17 hrs ago #130

Progressive Democrats don't develop lifelong issues with self-esteem and trust Scrivener7 17 hrs ago #138

Notice that I said it's "a bit like", not "exactly like." spooky3 17 hrs ago #142

Do you see anything being done that indicates the bad behavior is being discouraged? Scrivener7 17 hrs ago #145

When I first stopped using X and started using Threads, spooky3 17 hrs ago #146

So there are places these kids could go and be safe instead of instagram. I wish they would. Scrivener7 16 hrs ago #151

Instagram is linked to Threads, but she could just ignore Instagram spooky3 16 hrs ago #155

We could just tell kids all their parents are on instagram. That'll send them running away. Scrivener7 16 hrs ago #156

LOL! Nt spooky3 16 hrs ago #158

Women once needed escorts to enter taverns leftstreet Yesterday #27

Right because some men can't seem to control thenselves Joinfortmill 23 hrs ago #34

Paint Greg_In_SF 23 hrs ago #45

"Some men" is a wide brush? Wednesdays 23 hrs ago #53

As wide a brush as "stay off the internet. Problem solved!"? Torchlight 22 hrs ago #61

This centurys version of homegirl 20 hrs ago #103

As one man, I didn't feel the brush came very close to painting me. Ilikepurple 15 hrs ago #164

Or Greg_In_SF 23 hrs ago #43

Instagram isn't CAUSING her problems leftstreet 21 hrs ago #79

Your interlocutor has left the thread Prairie Gates 20 hrs ago #92

So what do you do to protect your fifteen year old daughter from this right now? Scrivener7 20 hrs ago #106

I don't know leftstreet 19 hrs ago #114

We do have that history. But I'm not seeing the will to apply it to social media. Scrivener7 18 hrs ago #129

I'm not sure you could make a ban on using instagram stick for a 15-year-old. MineralMan 18 hrs ago #123

Yes. Your response is unsatisfactory because it's amazingly naive. "Calling out" these assaults has never done anything Scrivener7 17 hrs ago #131

Doing what i can.. MineralMan 17 hrs ago #139

"the problem is undisciplined girls" blubunyip 21 hrs ago #81

What do you suggest? Imagine you're this fifteen year old's mother. What do you do? Scrivener7 20 hrs ago #105

Come together with other mothers, fathers, daughters AND sons blubunyip 19 hrs ago #116

I totally agree. There should be a major protest against this. But there isn't. I can't fathom why. But there isn't. Scrivener7 17 hrs ago #132

This isn't a woman. This is a child. And she is being abused. I'd forbid instagram in a heartbeat. Scrivener7 19 hrs ago #111

Well yes! leftstreet 19 hrs ago #117

Absolutely. We only get better products when we demand better products. And sometimes Scrivener7 17 hrs ago #133

Stop johnp3907 20 hrs ago #108

She's not a woman. She's a child. And she's being abused. What would you do to stop that Scrivener7 19 hrs ago #112

Social media is a pretty damn big neighborhood Quiet Em 19 hrs ago #122

iI's not just a matter of social media.. whathehell 15 hrs ago #166

These repulsive little worms... GiqueCee Yesterday #6

"Suppose social media platforms required them to use their REAL names, and not some made-up handle." MichMan 23 hrs ago #55

If women used their names they'd be seriously shit-stormed and doxxed. marble falls 23 hrs ago #59

Good point... GiqueCee 20 hrs ago #95

No... GiqueCee 21 hrs ago #85

Sounds really serious Torchlight 20 hrs ago #93

The military has always used 'girl'as a means of humilating men. milestogo Yesterday #8

Today's bright moment of clarity -- right here. Duncan Grant 20 hrs ago #102

The juvenile males who own and run social media are intentionally responsible for this. Clouds Passing Yesterday #9

Let's not forget how Zuckerberg got his start. llmart Yesterday #13

He's a creepster Clouds Passing Yesterday #16

I don't think Zuck ever had a GF..... SergeStorms 23 hrs ago #38

From Wiki... llmart 22 hrs ago #66

Wow. SergeStorms 16 hrs ago #152

You use the word "males," but female is an insult? Please explain. Doodley 19 hrs ago #113

I didn't say or imply that female is an insult Clouds Passing 16 hrs ago #159

Dehumanizing hatred at such a young age seems difficult to avoid in the 21 century Torchlight Yesterday #10

Yes, exactly. MineralMan Yesterday #22

Yes. It's victim blaming n/t Just_Vote_Dem 23 hrs ago #49

But don't. Scrivener7 21 hrs ago #78

That is true in many, many cases. MineralMan 21 hrs ago #90

Women, myself included, have spent lifetimes doing that. And yet here we are. Scrivener7 20 hrs ago #91

OK, but I'll continue to call out sexism and misogyny when I encounter it. MineralMan 20 hrs ago #96

We all do that. You are not unique in that. It doesn't change anything about the abuse this child is facing. Scrivener7 20 hrs ago #98

And after all these years of doing it Bettie 20 hrs ago #99

I just said the same downthread. I think we're all feeling that. Scrivener7 20 hrs ago #100

+1 leftstreet Yesterday #25

My sentiments exactly Mossfern 23 hrs ago #48

Telling people to avoid social media is as absurd Torchlight 23 hrs ago #50

Imagine she is your child. Are you going to feel like the solution is to wait until the culture Scrivener7 20 hrs ago #97

I share your concern about keeping youth safe from harmful online content. Torchlight 20 hrs ago #101

I totally agree. But in the meantime, my kid would not be allowed to go near it. Scrivener7 20 hrs ago #104

My heart goes out to the girls and young women. Hope22 Yesterday #11

Even nice men often see it as a "woman's problem" blubunyip 21 hrs ago #84

Are you saying no men joined in the fight to protect Roe V. Wade? Doodley 19 hrs ago #121

Please..... Hope22 17 hrs ago #137

Do you think tens of millions of Democratic men don't stand up for women's rights? Come on! Please! Doodley 17 hrs ago #141

I'm semi retired now. WinstonSmith4740 Yesterday #15

Did you also have the same restriction to the usage of "males" MichMan 23 hrs ago #56

Absolutely!! WinstonSmith4740 21 hrs ago #82

So we should all be banned from using the words male and female except for the animal kingdom? Are you kidding? Doodley 19 hrs ago #118

...... Diamond_Dog Yesterday #17

Amen Joinfortmill 23 hrs ago #36

Please! I am a man who respects women. Every Thanksgiving dinner I make a speech that I want to see more women Doodley 19 hrs ago #120

That's great. Quiet Em 18 hrs ago #124

It says "men," not some men, not certain men, not a small percentage of men, but "men." Doodley 18 hrs ago #125

She did not say all men either. Quiet Em 17 hrs ago #134

Please! If I said "women are a problem," does that sound okay to you? I don't think that is acceptable. Doodley 17 hrs ago #140

Let's stay in the context of the topic and discussion on this thread Quiet Em 16 hrs ago #150

She isn't a "young girl." She's 15. Doodley 16 hrs ago #157

She's 15. She is a girl, sir. Quiet Em 16 hrs ago #160

She isn't a young girl. She takes offense at "female," so at least, let's not call her a "young girl." Doodley 13 hrs ago #184

I have no idea what you are talking about. Quiet Em 12 hrs ago #188

Yawn. The not-all-men argument---like we haven't heard that before. CrispyQ 13 hrs ago #181

If I said "women are the problem," would you say that was acceptable? I would not ever say that as it is offensive and Doodley 13 hrs ago #185

I didn't feel tarred. I'm not sure why you think this is about you. Ilikepurple 14 hrs ago #175

Do you know what my race is? Where I was born? If I have a disability? What my religion is? No. Please don't stereotype Doodley 12 hrs ago #187

I'm not sure I spoke to any of those things other than mentioning marginalization. Ilikepurple 11 hrs ago #191

I don't have Instagram and have never used it but I have had Facebook Bev54 Yesterday #18

With very few exceptions, "Social" media are pure poison. usonian Yesterday #20

DU is my only social media... BigmanPigman Yesterday #28

This is horrifying. What kind of men are we raising? Joinfortmill 23 hrs ago #29

Trump acolytes. Wednesdays 23 hrs ago #51

The same ones we have always raised. 1WorldHope 21 hrs ago #74

Ding, ding, ding, THAT IS THE POINT! Buddyzbuddy 21 hrs ago #89

It makes me think of a book I read FullySupportDems 23 hrs ago #30

That was my 2nd Tepper novel. CrispyQ 13 hrs ago #182

I was called a "cuck" yesterday on X by a woman defending Tuckers Mosby 23 hrs ago #32

Wracking my puny "female brain" xuplate 23 hrs ago #37

I completely understand why many women may want to have little to do with men. Sometimes it seems like men are a blight Fil1957 23 hrs ago #44

I get that entirely. I do not crowd women or children because I don't want to cause them fear that I am one ... marble falls 21 hrs ago #69

I don't think I've ever seen you stray even into the neighborhood of mansplaining. Scrivener7 16 hrs ago #154

Social media is a great source of people, families to keep in touch. It's beautiful. BUT bluestarone 23 hrs ago #46

Women Keep A Body Count???? Coolgoober 23 hrs ago #47

Incels think this about women, and they're pissed because they aren't getting in on anyone's count at all. marble falls 22 hrs ago #67

Facebook is cancer JoseBalow 23 hrs ago #54

Thank you for sharing. Martin68 22 hrs ago #62

Even my husband gets the Proverbial Pissed Off when he hears how some men think of females. chouchou 22 hrs ago #64

Boys jump at that shit in a nanosecond GenThePerservering 22 hrs ago #65

Parents need to teach their boys Bettie 22 hrs ago #68

We can't fix this online. It starts at home and in school. marble falls 21 hrs ago #72

That's true Bettie 21 hrs ago #87

But that means this fifteen year old has to endure this until the culture changes. Scrivener7 20 hrs ago #94

The kids need better tools GenThePerservering 20 hrs ago #107

I'm speaking as someone whose only social media is DU, so I understand that I am Scrivener7 19 hrs ago #110

You're fighting the good fight here Sympthsical 16 hrs ago #162

I wonder if people who grew up with this will be more careful with their own children. Scrivener7 15 hrs ago #165

The parents my age are much more aware of it Sympthsical 15 hrs ago #169

I LOVE that idea of a flip phone for school! And I love to hear there is more healthy fear of this shit. Scrivener7 15 hrs ago #171

Absolutely, but problems will beget problems Sympthsical 15 hrs ago #172

This is just the beginning. AI will do the rest. Scrivener7 15 hrs ago #173

The parents of your niece did the right thing. Quiet Em 15 hrs ago #167

It's in the frigging algorithms. This is how Zuckerberg makes his money. Scrivener7 15 hrs ago #168

AI and filters aren't going to make it any better Sympthsical 15 hrs ago #174

The net has warped human perceptions of reality jfz9580m 21 hrs ago #71

I'll be watching for those posts about your epiphanies. It sounds interesting. Scrivener7 15 hrs ago #170

They are hard to explain jfz9580m 10 hrs ago #192

Well it isn't anything that amazing jfz9580m 2 hrs ago #193

My head is spinning a bit from this. I agree with you that the ones doing the work seem to be the ones who Scrivener7 26 min ago #195

And god forgive an action movie features a woman or person of color..only a white male can save the world BlueWaveNeverEnd 21 hrs ago #77

Instagram and Facebook MorbidButterflyTat 19 hrs ago #115

Screw social media popsdenver 18 hrs ago #126

Easy to see why we've had no female presidents stollen 17 hrs ago #147

This message was self-deleted by its author Mosby 17 hrs ago #148

OMG MorbidButterflyTat 16 hrs ago #153

The beauty of posts like this drmeow 14 hrs ago #176

Sad to see. REALLY sad to see! calimary 13 hrs ago #183

Read a fascinating diagnosis of the problem. summer_in_TX 11 hrs ago #190

I don't understand this maxrandb 37 min ago #194