Date of Award
Spring 5-3-2024
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Communication and Digital Studies
Department Chair or Program Director
Dr. Anand Rao
First Advisor
Dr. Emily Crosby
Major or Concentration
Communication and Digital Studies
Abstract
In today's digital landscape, online platforms serve as hubs of political discourse, akin to modern-day town halls. Among these platforms, TikTok has surged in popularity, emerging as a significant arena for ideological exchange. However, it has also become a breeding ground for anti-feminist rhetoric, a trend not exclusive to TikTok but also observable across competitors like YouTube Shorts. A content analysis conducted on the initial 100 videos suggested by both TikTok and YouTube Shorts for a new account revealed several noteworthy insights. Within this sample, it was found that 5% of TikTok videos contained anti-feminist themes, while only 3% of YouTube Shorts exhibited similar content. The first anti-feminist TikTok video surfaced 19% into the analysis, contrasting with YouTube Shorts, where such content did not emerge until the 79th video. These findings underscore TikTok's comparatively more hospitable environment for anti-feminist sentiments when juxtaposed with YouTube, shedding light on the dynamics of digital discourse and ideological trends within these platforms.
Recommended Citation
Jones, Naomi, "The Prevalence of Anti-Feminist Content on TikTok and YouTube Shorts" (2024). Student Research Submissions. 570.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/570
Rights
Included in
Communication Technology and New Media Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons, Social Media Commons