Better Internet for Kids

Despite the omnipresence of digital technology and its massive use by all, a little-known reality persists: the under-representation and devaluation of girls both in content broadcast online and in digital professions and sectors.

This imbalance is all the more apparent since boys are over-represented in the content broadcast on platforms and social networks. For example, only 8 per cent of videos on YouTube are produced by women and 83 per cent of the characters are male. On Instagram, 68 per cent of posts propagate gender stereotypes and on TikTok, 42.5 per cent of humour and entertainment sequences contain degrading representations of women*.

In digital professions and sectors, the same observation is seen. Despite the many programs that encourage the orientation of young girls towards these sectors from school, the figures are stagnating and only 29 per cent of the workforce in digital companies are women. Studies show that young girls often feel less legitimate to move towards these sectors and do not project themselves there, sometimes discouraged by their parents, only 33 per cent of whom encourage their daughters towards digital technology, while 66 per cent do so for their sons**.  

How can parents act for more equality in front of and behind screens?

Being aware of these biases is already a big step towards restoring equality and educating our children in a more objective way. Here are some tips to give your daughter the means to exist in the digital universe:

• Encourage her from a young age to take her place in the digital space: her voice and her vision of the world count as much as those of boys.
• Show her that social media is a distorting mirror of femininity and encourage her to show herself as she is, without conforming to sexist codes or clichés. 
• The image of the gender stereotypes maintain the idea that technological games and activities are reserved for boys. Play video games with your daughter and also offer her other opportunities, like robots to program, for example.
• Talk to her about equality but also about the demeaning and violent stereotypes that girls are subjected to and that circulate en masse on social networks. They are illegal and constitute offences. Denouncing them helps to change things: support her in reporting them.  
• Strengthen her legitimacy for scientific and technological subjects. Parents are the first people that young people trust when it comes to guidance**. Your daughter needs your support to be more confident in her choices. 
• Show her female role models who revolutionised digital technology**** such as Ada Lovelace who created the first computer program.
• Empower her if she is drawn to science subjects and disciplines traditionally reserved for boys. 
• Finally, you can invite her to follow the media and women committed to equality on social networks. These are rich sources of information to understand the issues of this fight.

Discover educational resources focused on digital culture and representation of women in the digital field:

• Citizen Code program on digital culture and professions for children and teenagers. 
• This CNIL page presents 8 portraits of women who have marked the history of digital technology

Find more information about the work of the French Safer Internet Centre, including their awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services – or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.