Latest news with #Solea
The Independent
30-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
‘Incel' TikTok accounts rebranding to avoid social media bans, study finds
' Incel ' TikTok accounts are rebranding as 'Sub5s' and using self-improvement language to avoid social media bans, a new study has found. While the social media platform does not allow hateful material on its site, advocates of 'incel' ideology are bypassing this rule by continuing to produce their content but via 'socially palatable' terms, according to the paper. Involuntary celibate, or incel, is the term used for a group of sexually embittered men who form their identities around their perceived inability to establish romantic connections with women. Online communities of young men are drawing considerable concern, after they frequently associate themselves with views that are misogynistic or hostile to the opposite sex, and towards men that are sexually active. One of the central tenets of the ideology is that society is organised around a look-based hierarchy. Therefore, usually misogynistic, pseudo-scientific theories about self-improvement and attractiveness are growing in popularity, as it is claimed they are promoted and 'normalised' – including the belief there is an ideal form of masculinity and women are to blame for this. Accounts on TikTok are reportedly pushing the concept of the PSL scale, the name of which is drawn from the first letters of three incel sites: PUAhate, Sluthate and The scale claims men can be ranked according to their attractiveness from one to eight – from being 'PSL gods' (very attractive men), to 'Chads' (generally attractive men), to 'Sub5s' (unattractive men). A process called 'looksmaxxing' is what men are pushed into believing will help them move up the scale, which can range from going to the gym to using a hammer to change the structure of the jaw. It is by using the 'Sub5' search term that social media users are managing to bypass bans, according to the paper by Anda Solea, a lecturer and researcher at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth. While an error message appears when searching for the term 'incel' on TikTok, along with a content warning that state the phrase can be linked with hateful behaviour, a stream of material is offered up when a user searches for 'Sub5' content. Ms Solea and Dr Lisa Sugiura write: 'We argue that facilitated by its rebranding through the frameworks of looksmaxxing and the PSL scale, misogynist incel ideology is being mainstreamed. These mechanisms reframe overtly toxic, misogynistic and extremist rhetoric into socially palatable discourses of self-improvement and biological and racial essentialism, enabling its diffusion into broader digital spaces.' Ms Solea said another prominent 'incel' belief that is being pushed on social media is the claim that 80 per cent of women are attracted to 20 per cent of men, a theory that was referenced in the Netflix show Adolescence. The recent TV drama has sparked a national conversation on 'incel' culture, misogyny and the online 'manosphere'. Speaking of the five TikTok accounts advocating 'incel' ideology that she analysed, Ms Solea said: 'What they try to do is to attract wider audiences and also to be permitted on the platform and accepted by others through rebranding. So you'll see Sub5s, you'll see the PSL scale, and then also they are being less directly offensive and violent towards women. 'I'm just going to mention the Adolescence show because everybody's talking about that: the 80:20 rule, where 80 per cent of women go for the 20 per cent of men. There are lots of these theories. You're more likely to believe that women are bad when they show you that, rather than just saying: 'Oh, women are such sluts,' especially when those words and insults are not allowed on TikTok.' The new paper has been submitted to a journal and is currently under review. A TikTok spokesperson said: 'Misogyny is strictly prohibited on TikTok and we take swift action to remove content that violates our policies. We continually refine our moderation using technology and expert insights, and 93 per cent of hateful content that was removed from our platform last quarter was removed before it was reported to us.'
The Guardian
29-03-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
‘Incel' accounts using self-improvement language to avoid TikTok bans
Advocates of 'incel' ideology are rebranding as 'Sub5s' and adopting the language of self-improvement to push their content on TikTok, according to a study. Hateful material is banned from the social media site but accounts disseminating the beliefs are said to be hiding behind new terms and 'socially palatable' language. One of the fundamental tenets of the involuntary celibate, or incel, ideology is the belief that society is organised based on a looks-based hierarchy. Pseudo-scientific theories about self-improvement and attractiveness that are often misogynist in nature are now being promoted and 'normalised', it is claimed. Anda Iulia Solea, a researcher at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Portsmouth, said this included a theory referenced in the Netflix drama Adolescence that suggests that 80% of women were attracted to 20% of men. Another concept pushed by accounts on TikTok is that of the PSL scale, under which it is claimed that men can be ranked from one to eight according to attractiveness. The PSL acronym comes from the first letters of three incel sites: PUAhate, Sluthate and Men are rated from being 'PSL gods' (exceptionally attractive men) to 'Chads' (generally attractive men) and finally 'Sub5s' (unattractive men). Men are encouraged to believe they can move up through the scale by a process called 'looksmaxxing', which can be as unproblematic as going to the gym or as damaging as changing the structure of the jaw using a hammer. Such theories are said to be bound up with the belief that there is an ideal form of masculinity and that women are to blame. When searching for the term 'incel' on TikTok, an error message appears alongside a content warning about the phrase being associated with hateful behaviour. However, should a user search for 'Sub5' content, they are offered a stream of material on the platform. 'We argue that facilitated by its rebranding through the frameworks of looksmaxxing and the PSL scale, misogynist incel ideology is being mainstreamed', write Solea and Dr Lisa Sugiura. 'These mechanisms reframe overtly toxic, misogynistic and extremist rhetoric into socially palatable discourses of self-improvement and biological and racial essentialism, enabling its diffusion into broader digital spaces.' TikTok has more than 1.9 billion users worldwide. A third of users in the UK are said to fall between the ages of 13 and 17, with 40.32% in the 18 to 24 age group. The conclusions of the new paper, submitted to peer review in the Crime, Media, Culture journal, followed analysis of videos on five accounts on TikTok identified as promoting incel theories. Solea said: 'What they try to do is to attract wider audiences and also to be permitted on the platform and accepted by others through rebranding. So you'll see Sub5s, you'll see the PSL scale, and then also they are being less directly offensive and violent towards women. 'I'm just going to mention the Adolescence show because everybody's talking about that: the 80:20 rule, where 80% of women go for the 20% of men. There are lots of these theories. You're more likely to believe that women are bad when they show you that, rather than just saying: 'Oh, women are such sluts,' especially when those words and insults are not allowed on TikTok.' A TikTok spokesperson said: 'Misogyny is strictly prohibited on TikTok and we take swift action to remove content that violates our policies. 'We continually refine our moderation using technology and expert insights, and 93% of hateful content that was removed from our platform last quarter was removed before it was reported to us.'
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egis unit to design 212-unit Saadiyat Island residential project
U+A, part of Egis Group and a global architecture and design firm, has signed an agreement with leading UAE group Taraf Holding for the development of Solea, a mid-rise residential project on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. With a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 34,167 sq m, Solea establishes a new benchmark in coastal urban living by seamlessly integrating contemporary design, sustainability, and affordability, said the U+A in a statement. Rising seven floors above a basement parking level, Solea offers 212 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to expansive four-bedroom homes. The design ethos harmonizes architecture, interiors, and landscape solutions to deliver an elevated residential experience. Solea's architectural vision embraces modernity, functionality, and sustainability, responding to its coastal surroundings while fostering a vibrant sense of community. Its refined aesthetic is characterized by clean lines, expansive glazing, and integrated landscaping cultivating a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere, it stated. The Egis unit delivered the design scope for this development, encompassing architecture, interior design, and landscape design, ensuring a cohesive and integrated approach across all aspects of the project. "Our vision was to create a contemporary residential complex that harmonises with Saadiyat Island's coastal surroundings while delivering high-quality urban living," remarked Tiago Sampaio, Design Principal at U+A. "By incorporating interlocking massing, we achieved a dynamic architectural expression that fosters a sense of community through integrated private and communal spaces," stated Sampaio. According to him, the thoughtfully crafted development consists of two interconnected buildings, distinguished by an innovative interlocking massing strategy that creates a striking architectural identity. The façade composition - a rhythmic blend of glass and solid elements - maximizes natural light penetration while ensuring privacy and energy efficiency. Landscape areas further enhance liveability, featuring lush green spaces, water features, shaded seating areas, and pedestrian-friendly pathways, said Sampaio. At the heart of Solea, a resort-style pool area encourages relaxation and social engagement, complemented by serene courtyard spaces. Sustainability is a cornerstone of Solea's design, ensuring long-term environmental efficiency through key strategies," he added. -TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Trade Arabia
04-03-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Egis unit to design 212-unit Saadiyat Island residential project
U+A, part of Egis Group and a global architecture and design firm, has signed an agreement with leading UAE group Taraf Holding for the development of Solea, a mid-rise residential project on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. With a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 34,167 sq m, Solea establishes a new benchmark in coastal urban living by seamlessly integrating contemporary design, sustainability, and affordability, said the U+A in a statement. Rising seven floors above a basement parking level, Solea offers 212 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to expansive four-bedroom homes. The design ethos harmonizes architecture, interiors, and landscape solutions to deliver an elevated residential experience. Solea's architectural vision embraces modernity, functionality, and sustainability, responding to its coastal surroundings while fostering a vibrant sense of community. Its refined aesthetic is characterized by clean lines, expansive glazing, and integrated landscaping cultivating a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere, it stated. The Egis unit delivered the design scope for this development, encompassing architecture, interior design, and landscape design, ensuring a cohesive and integrated approach across all aspects of the project. "Our vision was to create a contemporary residential complex that harmonises with Saadiyat Island's coastal surroundings while delivering high-quality urban living," remarked Tiago Sampaio, Design Principal at U+A. "By incorporating interlocking massing, we achieved a dynamic architectural expression that fosters a sense of community through integrated private and communal spaces," stated Sampaio. According to him, the thoughtfully crafted development consists of two interconnected buildings, distinguished by an innovative interlocking massing strategy that creates a striking architectural identity. The façade composition - a rhythmic blend of glass and solid elements - maximizes natural light penetration while ensuring privacy and energy efficiency. Landscape areas further enhance liveability, featuring lush green spaces, water features, shaded seating areas, and pedestrian-friendly pathways, said Sampaio.
