Cyber brothels, AI girlfriends and misogynistic algorithms: Laura Bates on the new age of sexism

Should I Delete That?

Alex Light & Em Clarkson

Society & Culture

4.8 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 11 May 2025

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Netflix show Adolescence opened up the conversation about male violence and the radicalisation of young boys online into the mainstream. But how much do we really know about what young boys are viewing online and the effect is has on them?

This week, we're joined by someone whose work has shaped the conversation around gender, power, and the internet for over a decade - writer, activist, and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, Laura Bates.

We were so thrilled to welcome Laura back on the podcast to talk about her brand new book, The New Age of Sexism - an examination of how misogyny is evolving in the digital age. We spoke to her in light of the rise in incel culture, the mainstreaming of online radicalisation, and the links between toxic masculinity and real-world male violence,

This conversation touches on some upsetting themes - specifically violence against women and sexual abuse. But Laura gives us practical advice on a personal and policy level to help us eradicate this new wave of gendered hate. We learned so much from this conversation and we hope you will too.

Follow @laura_bates__ on Instagram

The New Age of Sexism: How the AI Revolution is Reinventing Misogyny is out on 15th May 2025. You can get your copy here!

If you'd like to get in touch, you can email us on [email protected]

@shouldideletethat

@em_clarkson

@alexlight_ldn

Should I Delete That is produced by Faye Lawrence

Studio Manager: Dex Roy

Video Editor: Celia Gomez

Social Media Manager: Emma-Kirsty Fraser

Music: Alex Andrew

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is sponsored by Sweaty Betty.
0:02.5	Guys, I am more than a little bit excited because it's my favourite time of year and my favoured
0:06.3	brand are running my favourite campaign.
0:09.2	Alex Light, do you know what time it is?
0:11.5	Tell me what time it is.
0:13.3	It is time to wear the damn shorts.
0:15.7	Yes, it is.
0:16.6	And whilst you guys know that I'm not a summer lover, this is absolutely an ethos that I can get behind.
0:22.3	Only 16% of UK women feel confident wearing shorts whilst working out.
0:27.0	Like so many of us, I've spent so many summers sweating under layers and just feeling really self-conscious.
0:32.2	So I love this message because life really is too short.
0:35.4	Honestly, tell me about it.
0:36.6	The minute may arrives, I put on my sweaty-Berty power shorts, and that is me until October.
0:41.7	Like you, I spent so long feeling so self-conscious.
0:44.3	And honestly, now, I just think, screw it.
0:46.7	These are my lovely, lovely legs, and they carry me through life, and they deserve to be seen and celebrated.
0:51.5	And that's just it, isn't it? Because we're so tough on our bodies
0:54.1	when really we should be wearing what we want and doing what we want. Exactly, which is why
0:59.1	we'll be wearing the damn shorts this summer. Head to sweatybetti.com to find out more.
1:07.0	We're seeing for the first time in history, basically algorithmically facilitated mass radicalisation.
1:13.6	Hello and welcome back to your Shilla Delete That. This week we're joined by someone whose work
1:18.3	has shaped the conversation around gender, power and the internet for over a decade.
	...

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