Understanding Online Discourse on Ageism, Sexism, and Racism through 150 Million Tweets

A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, titled “Social media discourse on ageism, sexism, and racism: Analysis of 150 million tweets over 15 years,” delves deep into how these critical issues are discussed online. Authored by Ng, Indran, and Liu, this comprehensive study leverages a massive dataset of 150 million tweets, spanning 15 years, to explore the prevalence and patterns of ageism, sexism, and racism in social media conversations. By examining such a vast amount of data, the researchers provide a detailed look at the evolution of these discourses over time. By uncovering the patterns and trends in how ageism, sexism, and racism are discussed on social media, it provides valuable insights for anyone committed to social justice. 

The key takeaway?

This first-of-its-kind study found that between 2007 and 2022, ageism-related hashtags were the least used. Racism-related hashtags appeared 60 times more frequently than ageism-related ones, and sexism-related hashtags were used 24 times more often than those related to ageism. This reaffirms “the long-held claim that ageism is under-discussed, and in turn expedite the movement to combat it.”

For those interested in diving deeper into this research, the full article is available in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. This study is a must-read for researchers, activists, and anyone passionate about understanding and combating discrimination in the digital age.