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Sexuality education against the algorithm? Evaluating social media platforms’ policies’ governance of worldwide sexuality education
Tue, March 25, 8:00 to 9:15am, Virtual Rooms, Virtual Room #109Proposal
This presentation introduces a three-month project carried out for a UN organization, analysing and evaluating social media platforms’ policies pertaining to sexuality education. It explores how platform governance affects the accessibility, availability, quality, and diversity of information and educational content on sexuality, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges social media platforms present in this context.
The project initially selected five leading global social media platforms based on their monthly average usage, all featuring a public-facing main feed. Additionally, two region-specific platforms were included due to their substantial user bases and potential to shape global trends and practices, despite their more localized user attachment. It then carried out a desk review of said platforms’ governance policies concerning key concepts identified by the UN international technical guidance on sexuality education (i.e., pertaining to relationships, the human body and development, values, culture, public health, consent, gender-based violence, gender norms, etc.).
Findings include an evaluation of these seven platforms’ policies governing the visibility and accessibility of sexuality education to audiences worldwide, the enforcement of said policies, as well as the redress mechanisms available to users for appealing and understanding the decisions affecting their content.
Beyond the mere study of platform governance, this project therefore observes how technologies and digital spaces can facilitate or obstruct the flow of education and information towards user safety, empowerment and access to public health and culturally valuable content, providing crucial initial steps to holding social media accompanies accountable in their role as education intermediaries.