Latest news with #CensHERship
North Wales Live
23-05-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Social media giants 'more likely to suppress women's health content over men's'
A survey of 4,000 individuals revealed that while three quarters of those aged between 18 and 34 use social media for information on both male and female health, many struggle to find what they're looking for. Among users aged 18-24, 34% admit they find it challenging to source information on women's health – a sentiment echoed by 21% of those aged 25-34. It was found that 77% of those aged 18-34 are aware of 'shadow banning' – when a user's content is restricted, decategorised or hidden on a social media platform, limiting reach or engagement. Platforms such as Instagram and Facebook have been found to incorrectly remove content around women's menstrual and sexual health, classifying it as adult content despite the use of anatomical terms. Three in 10 young adults spend over five hours a day using social media as an essential place to communicate, read and learn more about health topics such as periods, menopause, incontinence and erectile dysfunction. However, 33% of those aged 18-24, and 22% of 25-34 year olds believe content related to women's health can often be restricted or hidden on social media. Essity, a hygiene and health firm collaborating with CensHERship campaign for equal treatment of women's health content on social media and the Period Equity Alliance, has launched a campaign to end shadow banning. They aim to ensure that everyone, especially young individuals, has access to the necessary products and education about periods without being held back. Kate Prince, spokesperson for Essity, makers of Bodyform and Modibodi, said: "Social media plays a pivotal role as a resource for young people to educate themselves, research and discuss their health and their bodies. But unfortunately for many, unaccountable algorithms that ultimately decide what they do and don't see, mean that young people are being denied access to information that is crucial to understand their bodies and to empower them to seek the help they may need." According to her: "Medically and anatomically correct language related to health should not be censored." Furthermore, she emphasised: "We want to work with social media companies to put this right, and will be calling on the Government to help us find solutions." OnePoll conducted a study revealing that while 52% of adults concur that shadow banning is sometimes appropriate on social media, this is mainly when content could incite violence or abuse (74%), contains sexually explicit material (67%), or uses foul and abusive language (55%). However, 45% of people believe there should be no restrictions on posts using correct medical or anatomical terminology to describe the human body. 44% believe anyone should have the freedom to publish content related to women's health, such as menstrual health or breast cancer. 41% agree that essential information about men's health, like erectile dysfunction or prostate cancer, should be readily available for viewing. Nearly eight out of ten adults (77%) believe words like 'vagina' or 'periods' should not be restricted on social media when used in an educational context. Among social media users, 29%t of those aged 18-24 and 28% of those aged 25-34 would like to see more information about periods posted on social media. However, sharing information about menstrual health comes with its own censorship challenges, as experienced by period product brand Bodyform. Spokesperson Nuria Antoja stated: "Bodyform has been at the forefront of breaking barriers around menstrual health but it has not been without its challenges. "Our advertising on some of the most popular social media platforms has been frequently held back after triggering automated censorship. Often this is simply because we have used words like period or vagina. If we're serious about breaking taboos and encouraging conversations about women's health that in some instances can save lives, then we've got to have the freedom to have open discussions on social media without censorship." Research has disclosed that content on health and wellbeing is predominantly explored by those aged 25-34 – with 55% searching for information regarding mental health, sex, cancer, menopause, and menstrual cycles. It's this demographic that's also the most active in disseminating health and wellbeing information online, with 30% sharing such insights. Nonetheless, a notable 34% of 25-34 year olds cognisant of shadow bans, be it personal or for work posts believe that their content has been curtained in some form. Of these individuals, one in five had endeavoured to circulate information pertaining to women's health while 27% encompassed general health and wellbeing topics. Charlotte Emily, a noted influencer with an impressive following of 91.6k on Instagram, is no stranger to such covert suppression. The social media personality remarked: "I've noticed a significant difference in engagement with my content when I discuss topics often considered 'taboo' - specifically women's health, periods, or body image struggles - despite these being important and everyday conversations that shouldn't be seen as controversial. "A few years ago, content visibility was particularly limited if I used words like 'period' instead of euphemisms like 'time of the month' or 'Aunt Flo'. While things have definitely improved since I first started speaking openly about women's health online, I still find that these posts don't get pushed out as widely as my more light-hearted fashion or lifestyle content." Clio Wood, co-founder of CensHERship (corr), which aims to challenge social media censorship of female health and sexual wellbeing content, commented: "Social media is such a powerful and engaging way for people to learn about their health - and the knowledge being shared can help break down taboos and in some cases be lifesaving. "But our own data shows that too often it's women's health content that is restricted or removed because it is incorrectly classified as 'adult content' simply for referring to a female body part. This is a broken system and women deserve better - they deserve equal, uncensored access to health information about their bodies."
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Social media more likely to suppress women's health content over men's, say young people
SOCIAL media platforms are more likely to suppress women's health content over men's, according to the nation's young adults. A study of 4,000 people found while three quarters of those aged 18-34 are turning to social media to educate themselves about male and female health, many struggle to find what they need. 2 Among users aged 18-24, 34 per cent admit they find it difficult to source information when searching for women's health – something 21 per cent of those aged 25-34 agree with. It emerged 77 per cent of those aged 18-34 are aware of 'shadow banning' – when a user's content is restricted, decategorised or hidden on a social media platform, limiting reach or engagement. Platforms such as Instagram and Facebook have been found to incorrectly remove content around women's menstrual and sexual health, deeming it as adult content despite use of anatomical terms. Three in 10 young adults spend over five hours a day using it as an essential place to communicate, read and learn more about health topics such as periods, menopause, incontinence and erectile dysfunction. But 33 per cent of those aged 18-24, and 22 per cent of 25-34 year olds are convinced content related to women's health in particular can often be restricted or hidden on social media. A campaign has been launched to end shadow banning on social media by hygiene and health company Essity, in collaboration with CensHERship, which campaigns for a level playing field for women's health content, and the Period Equity Alliance - a group of charities and education institutions dedicated to ensuring everyone can access the products and education they need so no one is held back by their period. Kate Prince, spokesperson for Essity, the company behind Bodyform and Modibodi, said: 'Social media plays a pivotal role as a resource for young people to educate themselves, research and discuss their health and their bodies. 'But unfortunately for many, unaccountable algorithms that ultimately decide what they do and don't see, mean that young people are being denied access to information that is crucial to understand their bodies and to empower them to seek the help they may need. 'Medically and anatomically correct language related to health should not be censored. 'We want to work with social media companies to put this right, and will be calling on the Government to help us find solutions.' How a charity is saving phone-addicted Gen Z-ers from mental health crisis with many admitting 'I don't how to make pals' The research, carried out via OnePoll, found 52 per cent of all adults agree shadow banning is appropriate on social media in some instances – in particular, anything which incites violence or abuse (74 per cent), posts which are sexually explicit (67 per cent) and foul and abusive language (55 per cent). However, 45 per cent don't believe any restrictions should be placed on posts containing the correct medical or anatomical words and phrases to describe the human body. While 44 per cent think anyone should be able to publish content related to women's health, for example menstrual health or breast cancer. And 41 per cent agree essential information about men's health should be available for people to view – such as content relating to erectile dysfunction or prostate cancer. Just under eight in 10 adults (77 per cent) said words like 'vagina' or 'periods' should not be restricted on social media when used in an educational context. And among those who use social media, 29 per cent of those aged 18-24, versus 28 per cent of those 25-34, would like to see more information posted on social media about periods. Breaking taboo However, the sharing of information about menstrual health comes with censorship challenges, as period product brand Bodyform has experienced. Spokesperson Nuria Antoja said: 'Bodyform has been at the forefront of breaking barriers around menstrual health but it has not been without its challenges. 'Our advertising on some of the most popular social media platforms has been frequently held back after triggering automated censorship. Often this is simply because we have used words like period or vagina. 'If we're serious about breaking taboos and encouraging conversations about women's health that in some instances can save lives, then we've got to have the freedom to have open discussions on social media without censorship.' The study found health and wellbeing content on social media is most consumed by the 25-34 year old age group – with 55 per cent seeking out information on things like mental health, sex, cancer, menopause and periods. This age group is also most likely to post information about health and wellbeing on social media, as 30 per cent share such content. However, 34 per cent of 25-34 year olds who are aware of shadow banning, and who post either personally or for business, are convinced content they have posted has been restricted in some way. 2 Of these, a fifth were trying to share information about women's health - 27 per cent about general health and wellbeing. Influencer Charlotte Emily, who has amassed 91.6k followers on Instagram through her honest content around self love, periods and endometriosis is no stranger to censorship via this platform. She said: 'I've noticed a significant difference in engagement with my content when I discuss topics often considered 'taboo' - specifically women's health, periods, or body image struggles - despite these being important and everyday conversations that shouldn't be seen as controversial. 'A few years ago, content visibility was particularly limited if I used words like 'period' instead of euphemisms like 'time of the month' or 'Aunt Flo'. 'While things have definitely improved since I first started speaking openly about women's health online, I still find that these posts don't get pushed out as widely as my more light-hearted fashion or lifestyle content.' Clio Wood, co-founder of CensHERship (corr), which aims to tackle social media censorship of women's health and sexual wellbeing content, said: 'Social media is such a powerful and engaging way for people to learn about their health - and the knowledge being shared can help break down taboos and in some cases be lifesaving. 'But our own data shows that too often it's women's health content that is restricted or removed because it is incorrectly classified as 'adult content' simply for referring to a female body part. 'This is a broken system and women deserve better - they deserve equal, uncensored access to health information about their bodies.'
The Independent
08-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Meta, Google accused of ‘censorship' for blocking women's health ads but allowing erectile dysfunction campaigns
Online platforms are blocking posts and adverts about women's health while allowing posts about erectile dysfunction, it has been claimed. A group of femtech companies – businesses involved in technology products addressing women's health and wellbeing issues – have accused Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, along with LinkedIn, Google and Amazon, of 'systemic bias and discrimination' against women's health content. They said the platforms have given 'vague and inconsistent' reasons for repeatedly blocking, removing and restricting content about women's health, including posts on menopause, endometriosis and infertility. This week, six UK and European companies have issued formal complaints about the platforms to the European Commission, which regulates social media sites and search engines under the Digital Services Act (DSA). They have requested it investigates the platforms' moderation polices – which they say appear to be 'biased' against women – and find out why women's health content is being removed or restricted. 'We have evidence [of] multiple cases where medically accurate, expert-led content has been blocked or labelled as 'adult content' or 'political',' said co-founders of the anti- censorship campaign group CensHERship, Clio Wood and Anna O'Sullivan. 'We can't improve women's health if we can't talk about our bodies using anatomically-correct language.' In one example, a company which makes lubricants for women struggling with painful sex had its educational posts on endometriosis, postnatal recovery and vaginal health removed from LinkedIn for promoting 'illegal products and services'. A breastfeeding support app had ads restricted by Instagram because they showed an image of a baby breastfeeding. It was also not allowed to use the word 'nipple' in educational posts. And although Meta classes erectile dysfunction as a health condition and allows adverts for treatments, it has repeatedly blocked adverts and posts about a product which helps boost women's libido, citing its policy which bans promotion of 'sexual pleasure or enhancement'. One advert that was restricted under this policy, stated: 'Finally, a natural libido supplement… Perfect for menopause, gynae-designed, natural supplement.' Yet an advert for a male libido treatment was allowed, which stated: 'Are you tired of performance anxiety ruining your erections? We've helped over 500,000 men overcome erection issues… 'I found that I was more confident about sex. Almost like I was 18 again.'' Company Bea Fertility, which sells at-home fertility testing kits, said it tried to post diagrams and guides to using its products on its Amazon store page, but these were rejected because they contained the word 'vagina' – although the word 'semen' was allowed. The graphics, which have been seen by The Independent, included practical medical advice such as: 'It isn't safe for you to use [the product] if… you have had vaginal/cervical surgery within the last three months.' These were automatically rejected, with the reason given being: 'These keywords violate our community guidelines: vagina.' The action has been organised by CensHERship and women-focused investment group The Case For Her, with companies involved including Bea Fertility, vaginal health brand Aquafit Intimate, the sexual health and wellbeing platforms Geen and HANX, breastfeeding support app Lactapp, and sustainable period care brand Daye. They are calling on the platforms to implement 'clear, non-discriminatory advertising guidelines that protect, rather than silence women's health conversations'. Cristina Ljungberg, co-founder of The Case For Her, said: 'When femtech companies face digital suppression and censorship by the big tech platforms, they struggle to reach customers, limiting their ability to advertise and generate revenue.' She warned that this not only restricted women's access to health products and services, but put investors off funding research and innovation into women's health. Amazon said it had not taken action against the Bea Fertility store or products over its use of the word 'vagina'. It said there were multiple products whose titles contain the word sold through its site. A LinkedIn spokesperson said: 'Our policies outline what is and isn't allowed. Educational or awareness-related content on health topics is allowed on LinkedIn, as long as it does not promote specific products or services. If an author believes their content has been removed in error, they have the option to appeal and we'll take a second look.'
