Digital platform recommendation algorithms are deepening gender conflict by reducing opportunities for exposure to differing opinions, according to a recent forum in Busan.
While societal awareness of gender equality has increased, gaps remain between opportunities to speak and actual decision-making power in homes, workplaces, and communities.
The Busan Women's NGO Federation held a public forum on improving cultural awareness of gender equality in the digital age on November 10 at the cultural hall of the Yeonggwang Library in Busan.
The event, themed 'Touchscreen, Touch Gender,' discussed the impact of the digital environment on gender conflict and the institutional and social conditions necessary to achieve gender equality in daily life.
The forum was moderated by Ko Young-sam, head of the Asia Talent Development Institute. Presentations were made by Jang Hyun-jung, CEO of Homilban and a Ph.D. in sociology, and Kim In-a, CEO of INA Consulting and a Ph.D. in social welfare.
Participants in the discussion included Professor Kim Chi-yong, Jo Jeong-soon, director of the Busan International Cultural Exchange Center, and Professor Park Chang-hee from Kyungsung University's Media Communication Department, who addressed issues of gender equality and communication between men and women in the digital age.
In her presentation, Jang Hyun-jung analyzed the impact of digital platform information consumption structures on gender conflict, posing the question, 'Why do we argue when discussing gender issues?'
She noted that while advancements in the internet and artificial intelligence have increased access to information, the diversity of information encountered by users may actually decrease.
Jang explained that platforms like YouTube and social media tend to repeatedly recommend similar content based on user interests, reinforcing specific viewpoints and reducing opportunities to engage with differing opinions.
She described this phenomenon as an 'echo chamber' and likened the digital environment to a 'fish farm.'
“Gender conflict is not just a difference of opinion; it is a difference in the worlds we see,” Jang stated, emphasizing that in an environment where only similar information is consumed, understanding opposing viewpoints becomes challenging.
She also identified the precarious living conditions of young people as a factor exacerbating conflict. Young individuals facing uncertainties about their future in terms of careers, housing, and marriage are more likely to react to provocative information, and online platforms often create a structure where conflict-inducing content translates into views and revenue.
Jang found potential for gender equality in Busan's history and local culture. The port city has developed through the Korean War and industrialization, bringing together diverse regions and social classes.
She highlighted the historical role of women in sustaining livelihoods and local economies in industrial sites like Jagalchi Market and Yeongdo Kkangkkang Village. Jang argued that the experiences of coexistence among people from different backgrounds in Busan could be leveraged to alleviate current gender conflicts.
Kim In-a, in her presentation on 'The Paradox of Communication Between Men and Women in the Era of Gender Equality,' analyzed the gap between perceptions of gender equality and actual practices.
Kim, who has served as a professor at Busan University of Foreign Studies and Dong-A University, currently chairs the professor committee of the Citizens' Alliance for the UN Office in Busan.
Using the metaphor of individuals in the same boat, Kim explained that achieving gender equality cannot rely solely on individual consideration.
Even if passengers respect each other, if the boat is tilted, it cannot sail properly. Therefore, the structures of participation, responsibility, and power distribution in homes, workplaces, and communities must change together.
“The fact that we spoke and the fact that we understood each other are two different things,” Kim said, defining communication as a process that includes explanation, listening, opinion adjustment, and joint decision-making.
She presented statistics from domestic gender equality surveys, noting that while 68.9% believe household chores should be shared equally, only 23.3% of wives reported that they actually share chores equally.
In dual-income households, the time spent on household labor was reported as 212 minutes for wives and 84 minutes for husbands, showing a disparity of 128 minutes. Kim analyzed that changes in perceptions of gender equality have not translated into actual responsibility for household and caregiving tasks.
She emphasized the need to distinguish between actions like picking up children or performing household chores and the responsibilities of anticipating family needs and managing schedules.
This is referred to as 'cognitive labor.' It is essential to examine not only who worked longer but also who anticipates family needs and manages schedules continuously.
Similar issues arise in workplaces and communities, she noted.
Even if men and women are given equal speaking time, the actual level of participation can vary depending on who sets the agenda and whose opinions are reflected in final decisions.
Kim illustrated her points with examples of women's economic activities and social status in Southeast Asian countries, arguing that approaching gender equality solely as an issue of individual consciousness is insufficient.
As a practical measure in Busan, she proposed the establishment of 'gender communication roundtables.' These would involve selecting specific agendas in homes, workplaces, and communities, allowing citizens of different genders, ages, professions, and caregiving experiences to engage in multiple discussions to develop joint solutions.
“Before demanding more understanding from each other, we need to examine whether conditions are in place for us to speak, negotiate, and decide equally,” Kim emphasized.
The subsequent discussion presented various approaches to reducing gender conflict in the digital society.
Professor Kim Chi-yong highlighted the spread of provocative content on YouTube and online communities, stressing the need for an attitude of understanding others' situations and thoughts rather than reacting immediately to information.
Jo Jeong-soon, director of the Busan International Cultural Exchange Center, suggested that the experiences of multicultural citizens, including marriage migrants and migrant workers, should also be reflected in discussions on gender equality. This includes examining differences arising not only from gender but also from nationality, language, and cultural background.
Kim Young-sook, president of the Busan Women's NGO Federation, addressed the issues of women's political participation and entry into public office, calling for a change in societal perceptions that categorize roles and abilities based on gender.
“We should not judge people based on whether they are women or men,” Kim stressed, advocating for a culture of mutual respect.
Participants agreed that as conflicts expand in online spaces, there is a greater need for opportunities to meet and converse in person. They discussed expanding opportunities for interaction through book clubs, walking groups, and humanities lectures to encounter and exchange different ideas in everyday life.
Prior to the forum, the Busan Women's NGO Federation issued a statement at 1:30 PM on the same day in front of the Yeonggwang Library, calling for the revival and normalization of operations of the International Newspaper.
About 50 attendees, including President Kim Young-sook, emphasized that the revival of the International Newspaper is directly linked to the public nature of local media and citizens' right to know.
In the statement, the federation evaluated the International Newspaper as a media asset that has documented the history of Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam and represented diverse voices in the community.
They demanded that the major shareholder of the International Newspaper, Neungin Seonwon, withdraw its opposition to corporate rehabilitation and cooperate for recovery.
The federation also stated that civil society must unite and participate to protect the public nature and independence of local media and citizens' right to know.
They urged that responsible dialogue and cooperative solutions be established to ensure the International Newspaper can continue to grow as a trusted media outlet for the community and citizens.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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