In an interview given to UN NewsAnna D’Addio, senior policy analyst on the GEM report team, noted that the report examines the issue of technology in education through a gender lens.
She said the report highlights progress made in eliminating discrimination against girls over the past two decades, but also exposes the negative impact of technology on educational opportunities and outcomes. education of girls.
“Girls on social media are much more exposed to different forms of harassment. Cyberbullying is much more common among girls than boys,” Ms D’Addio said. “It’s something that affects their well-being, and their well-being is important for learning.”
Guterres emphasizes Internet access
The report coincides with the International Day of Girls in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) organized by the United Nations telecommunications agency (ITU).
In a message posted on his X account, the UN Secretary-General called for more equipment and support for girls in the field of information and communication technologies, emphasizing that fewer women than men have access to the Internet – which prevents them from accessing equal opportunities at work.
Mental health, bodily disorders
Social media exposes young girls to a range of inappropriate video content, including sexual content, and the promotion of unhealthy and unrealistic body standards that negatively affect mental health and well-being, the report finds. .
Adolescent girls are twice as likely as boys to feel lonely and to suffer from an eating disorder.
“More and more evidence shows that increased exposure to social media is linked to mental health issues, eating disorders, and many other issues that condition and turn away social media users, and particularly girls, education, which affects their academic success,” said Ms. D. ‘Addio.
According to a Facebook statistic cited in the report, 32% of teenage girls feel worse about their bodies after consuming the platform’s content on Instagram.
The analyst highlighted that the use of social media can have positive effects on young girls, especially when it is used to increase knowledge and raise awareness of social issues.
“I think what’s important is … teaching how to use social media and technology,” Ms. D’Addio said.
Girls in STEM
She said the report draws attention to the fact that girls are disadvantaged in accessing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers, showing a lack of diversity in the production and development of advanced technologies.
Data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) shows that women represent only 35% of STEM higher education graduates worldwide and hold only 25% of science jobs. engineering and information and communication technologies (ICT).
“There are still too few girls and women choosing…STEM subjects and working in them,” the analyst said.
She added that greater diversity would enable greater contributions to science and developments without bias.
Invest more
The report’s findings reveal the need for more investment in education and smarter regulation of digital platforms.
Ms. D’Addio said UNESCO constantly strives to address the persistent exclusion of girls from access to education and achievement by advocating for policies that make the education system more inclusive and “in promoting laws and regulations that ensure equal access to education for girls and protect them from discrimination.”
