The Bunker – News without the nonsense From 'femcels' to 'tradwives' – How the far right radicalises women online
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Jan 21, 2025 Lois Shearing, journalist and author of "Pink-Pilled: Women and the Far Right," discusses the alarming trend of women's radicalization in far-right movements. She dives into how innocent platforms, like parenting blogs and food vlogs, become gateways to extremism. Insights on the complex motivations driving women to join movements that undermine their own rights reveal a troubling paradox. Shearing also shares strategies for prevention and empowerment, highlighting the urgent need for deeper conversations on these issues.
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Undercover Research
- Lois Shearing spent 18 months undercover in far-right digital spaces, including TikTok, YouTube, Telegram, and Reddit, to research her book, Pink Pilled.
- She researched how and why these movements are recruiting women, focusing on tactics used and the roles women play within these groups.
Easy Access to Far-Right Spaces
- Lois Shearing found it surprisingly easy to access far-right online communities using a burner phone, new SIM card, and VPN.
- She discovered these spaces require minimal effort to find, highlighting their accessibility and proximity to mainstream social media.
Overlooked Involvement
- Women's involvement in far-right movements is often overlooked due to a perception of the far-right as primarily male and the 'halo effect' around women.
- This 'halo effect' portrays women as nurturing and progressive, making their involvement in hateful ideologies seem surprising.
