Algorithmic Feminism: TikTok's Role in Shaping Young Women's Perceptions of Gender Equality

This thesis explores how engagement with feminist and anti-feminist content on TikTok shapes young women's views on gender equality. By focusing on the interplay between algorithmic curation and identity formation, the study investigates the dual role of TikTok as both a space for empowerment and a platform that reinforces traditional gender norms. Drawing on feminist media theory, postfeminism, digital feminism, and algorithmic bias, the research is grounded in a qualitative design through semi-structured interviews with ten women aged 20-25. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes: Algorithmic Curation and the Personalization of Feminist and Anti-Feminist Content; Feminist Identification and Ambivalence; Anti-Feminist Content and Internalized Misogyny; and Body Image, Beauty Norms, and the Performance of Femininity. Findings suggest that TikTok's algorithm creates highly personalized experiences, often reinforcing existing beliefs while occasionally exposing users to contradicting viewpoints. Participants expressed both appreciation and concern regarding trends like "girl dinner" or "women in male fields," reflecting the complexity of digital feminism. Furthermore, the study highlights how algorithmic exposure to romanticized traditional roles or misogynistic figures like Andrew Tate contributes to internalized contradictions among users. Ultimately, this thesis reveals that TikTok is a contested space where progressive and regressive narratives coexist, shaping young women's understanding of feminism and gender roles in nuanced and sometimes conflicting ways.