and Internet Stereotypes Shaping Gender Perceptions

Let’s be real—social media is everywhere. From TikTok dances to Instagram influencers, we’re constantly scrolling, liking, and sharing. But have you ever stopped to think about how all that content might be shaping the way we see gender? Spoiler: it’s a lot more than just makeup tutorials and gym selfies.

The internet was supposed to be this wild, free space where anyone could be whoever they wanted. And in some ways, it is. We’ve seen amazing movements like #GirlsWhoCode and LGBTQ+ visibility explode online. But at the same time, old-school stereotypes? Yeah, they didn’t disappear—they just put on a digital mask and kept going.

Take TikTok, for example. One minute you’re watching a guy cry over his breakup with a tub of ice cream (classic 'sad dude' trope), and the next, a woman’s doing a 'get ready with me' video in full glam, smiling like she hasn’t had a bad day in her life. Sound familiar? These clips go viral because they feel relatable—but also because they play into deep-rooted ideas about how men and women 'should' act.

And don’t even get us started on memes. Ever seen one where the woman’s nagging her boyfriend for checking his phone during dinner? Or the guy who can’t cook anything beyond toast? Hilarious? Maybe. Harmless? Not quite. When these jokes repeat over and over, they stop being just jokes. They start shaping expectations—like, subconsciously telling people what's 'normal' for their gender.

Even brands jump on the bandwagon. Remember those ads showing dads struggling to change diapers while moms look on, judging? Cue the laughter. But behind the punchline is a message: parenting = mom’s job. That kind of thing sticks, especially when kids are watching.

Now, it’s not all doomscrolling. The internet has also become a platform for pushing back. Movements like #ToxicMasculinity and #WomenInSTEM are calling out outdated norms and giving marginalized voices a megaphone. Non-binary creators are breaking the binary, one post at a time. And let’s be honest—seeing someone live unapologetically as themselves? That’s powerful.

But here’s the kicker: algorithms love drama, extremes, and repetition. So content that fits neat boxes—like 'angry feminist' or 'emotionless alpha male'—gets amplified. Nuance? Not so much. That means the most viral stuff often reinforces stereotypes instead of challenging them.

So what’s the fix? Awareness, for starters. Recognize when a meme or trend feels funny but also kinda off. Ask yourself: who’s being laughed at, and why? Support creators who challenge norms instead of recycling them. And hey, maybe think twice before sharing that 'girls hate math' joke—even if it gets likes.

At the end of the day, the internet doesn’t create gender stereotypes out of nowhere. It reflects the world we live in—but also shapes it. And with a little more mindfulness, we can help make that reflection a little more fair, a little more real.