Glossary

Key terms used across SIGNAL Network research, tools, and training. Each entry has a short definition, with the full definition and sources available underneath.

Ableism

Ableism is discrimination against people with disabilities, and may include stereotypes, exclusion, and harmful generalizations.

Full definition & sources

Ableism is the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities. It is rooted in the assumption that disabled people require ‘fixing’ and may include harmful stereotypes, exclusion, and generalizations of people with disabilities. (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2016)

Age-based discrimination/Ageism

Ageism is the discrimination against people based on their age. It may happen in the workplace or in ones personal life, including stereotyping and exclusion.

Full definition & sources

Ageism is the discrimination against people based on their age. It may happen in the workplace or in ones personal life, including stereotyping and exclusion. (Ontario Human Rights Commission, n.d.)

Algorithm Awareness

Algorithm awareness is the act of understanding how algoithms impact what you are shown across various digital platforms, and is important for evaluating how credible the information you encounter is and avoiding the perpeturation of misinformation

Full definition & sources

Algorithm awareness is the act of understanding and remaining concious of how algoithms impact what you are shown across various digital platforms. Awareness is important for evaluating how credible the information you encounter is and avoiding the perpeturation of misinformation (Felaco, 2024)

  • Felaco, C. (2024). Researching algorithm awareness: methodological approaches to investigate how people perceive, know, and interact with algorithms. Mathematical Population Studies, 31(4), 267–288. https://doi.org/10.1080/08898480.2024.2389779
Algorithmic reccomendations

Automated suggestions of content based on users’ interests and online activity

Full definition & sources

Algorithmic recommendations: Automated suggestions or rankings of content based on data such as a user’s previous activity, expressed preferences, and interactions. On social media, these systems influence which posts, videos, or accounts users see and the order in which they appear (Melville & Sindhwani, 2010)

Algorithms

An algorithm is a set of of instructions that tell a computer how to process data to produce an output, such as curated content. Some algorithms are simple and fixed, while others “learn” patterns from data

Full definition & sources

An algorithm is a set of of instructions that tell a computer how to process data to produce an output, such as curated content. Some algorithms are simple and fixed, while others “learn” patterns from data (Stanford University, n.d.)

Anonymity

A condition in which a person’s identity is unknown or not easily identifiable during online interactions

Full definition & sources

A condition in which individuals can communicate, participate, or share content online without revealing their real-world identity or being easily identified by other users.

Anonymity exists in varying degrees because online activities may still leave digital traces (Sardá et al., 2019).

Anti-feminism

Anti-feminism is the rejection of women's rights and an opposition to feminist movements for equality. Anti-feminist discourse spreads through political groups, in media, and online content.

Full definition & sources

Anti-feminism is the rejection of women's rights and an opposition to feminist movements for equality. Anti-feminist discourse spreads through political groups, in media, and online content, framing feminism as a threat to men's status and traditional values (Plan International, n.d.).

Anti-feminist influencers

Anti-feminism influencers are a subcategory of content creators that endorse and spread anti-feminism by utilizing their social media platforms

Full definition & sources

Anti-feminism influencers are a subcategory of content creators that endorse and spread anti-feminism by utilizing their social media platforms to practice commercial influencing and occupy areas of discourse (Bauer, 2023).

Belonging

a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group

Full definition & sources

a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group and having a good relationship with the other members of the group because they welcome you and accept you (Cambridge University, n.d.)

Charismatic Personalities

Charismatic personalities describe people who possess a variety of traits that make them approachable and enjoyable to be around, and tend to easily influence audiences.

Full definition & sources

Charisma refers to a special charm or appeal that causes people to feel attracted and excited by someone (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).

Common sense

Common sense is considered to be the basic level of practical knowledge and judgment that people may agree on and use day to day

Full definition & sources

Common sense is considered to be the basic level of practical knowledge and judgment that people may agree on and use day to day (Cambridge University, n.d.)

Community

A community is a group of people who are considered as a unit because of their common interests, social group, or specific interests

Full definition & sources

A community is a group of people who are considered as a unit because of their common interests, social group, or specific interests (Cambridge Dictionary, n.d.).

Coordinated attacks or harassment

Organized online abuse in which multiple people or accounts work together to repeatedly target an individual or group through threats, insults, false reports, or other harmful actions.

Full definition & sources

Organized online abuse in which multiple people or accounts work together to repeatedly target an individual or group through threats, insults, false reports, or other harmful actions (Schoenebeck et. al, 2023).

Critical digital literacy

Critical digital literacy means being able to use digital tools and think carefully about their social and ethical effects.

Full definition & sources

The ability to use digital technologies while critically evaluating online information and recognizing how power, bias, representation, and commercial interests shape digital content and platforms (Pangrazio, 2014)

  • Mecklenburg, S. and Scheithaur, H. (2026). "Digital Naives" - The Development of Critical Digital Literacy in Early Childhood: A Scoping Literature Review. International Journal of Developmental Science, 20(1-2), 44-57. https://doi.org/10.1177/2192001X261420874
  • Pangrazio, L. (2016). Reconceptualising critical digital literacy. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 37(2), 163–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2014.942836
Cyberstalking

Cyberstalking is the use of digital technology to track and harass someone to scare, humiliate, or control them.

Full definition & sources

Cyberstalking is the use of digital technology to track and harass someone, often with the intention of causing fear or humiliation, or controlling the victim. (Cyberstalking, 2025)

Cybervictimization

Cybervictimization means experiencing online aggression that can harm a person’s social and emotional well-being.

Full definition & sources

Cybervictimization means being targeted by harmful or aggressive behaviour through digital technologies, which may negatively affect a person’s well-being and contribute to anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem (Cyberbullying, Cybervictimization, 2026).

Dehumanization
Full definition & sources

[Dehumanization is] the process of stripping a person or group of their humanity involves perceiving or treating individuals as lesser than human, often by denying them qualities such as individuality, dignity, or empathy (Turner, 2023).

Digital and Media Literacy

Digital and media literacy means being able to use digital tools and the media we interact with to think carefully about their social and ethical effects.

Full definition & sources

The ability to use digital technologies while evaluating online information and recognizing how power, bias, representation, and commercial interests shape media in digital spaces (Pangrazio, 2014)

  • Mecklenburg, S. and Scheithaur, H. (2026). "Digital Naives" - The Development of Critical Digital Literacy in Early Childhood: A Scoping Literature Review. International Journal of Developmental Science, 20(1-2), 44-57. https://doi.org/10.1177/2192001X261420874
  • Pangrazio, L. (2016). Reconceptualising critical digital literacy. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 37(2), 163–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2014.942836
Digital Spaces

Digital spaces can be defined as the digital “locales” where young people gather and interact with one another

Full definition & sources

Digital spaces can be defined as the digital “locales” where young people gather, with digital places giving meaning, memories and feelings. Spaces provide the arena or setting, whilst places represent attachment, belonging and significance. Belongingness for young people is usually associated with a physical sense of place created by meeting up with friends in spaces such as home, school, youth provision, shopping centres and parks, but also increasingly through digital places such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or gaming environments. (Melvin, 2018)

Doxxing

Doxxing is the act of researching and revealing private or identifying information about a person to harm or threaten them.

Full definition & sources

Doxxing is the act of researching and revealing private or identifying information about a person without their consent with the intention of intimidation or harassment (University of British Columbia, 2026).

Economic and class inequalities

The unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society.

Full definition & sources

The unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society. It is measured using the distribution of income (the amount of money people are paid) and wealth inequality measured using the distribution of wealth (the amount of wealth people own) (United Nations, n.d.).

Entitlement
Full definition & sources

the feeling that you have the right to do or have what you want without having to work for it or deserve it, just because of who you are (Cambridge Dictionary, n.d.)

Extremism

Extremism ecompasses ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance that may undermine the rights, freedoms, and safety of others.

Full definition & sources

Extremism ecompasses ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance that may undermine the rights, freedoms, and safety of others. It is often characterized by a rigid or absolutist worldview (UK Department of Education, n.d.).

Fatalism
Full definition & sources

the belief that people cannot change the way events will happen and that events, especially bad ones, cannot be avoided (Cambridge Dictionary, n.d.)

Gender justice

Gender justice is a concept that promotes the full realization of rights and opportunities for all genders.

Full definition & sources

Gender justice is a concept that promotes the full realization of rights and opportunities for all genders. It seeks to realize equality between men and women, as well as between diverse gender identities, in terms of rights, responsibilities, and opportunities (Strategic Advocacy for Human Rights, n.d.; UN Women, 2012).

Gender norms

Gender norms are shared social and culture expectations about how people should behave, act, and express themselves based on their gender.

Full definition & sources

Gender norms are shared social and culture expectations about how people should behave, act, and express themselves based on their gender (UNICEF, 2021; UNICEF, 2020)

  • Plan International, Transform Education, United Nations Girls' Education Initiative, & UNICEF. (2021). Gender transformative education: Reimagining education for a more just and inclusive world. UNICEF.
  • UNICEF — Gender Transformative Education report
  • UNICEF. (2020). Technical note on gender norms. United Nations Children's Fund.
  • UNICEF — Technical Note on Gender Norms
Gender roles

Gender roles are socially constructed expectations about how people should behave, appear, and take on responsibilities based on their gender. They vary across cultures and can change over time.

Full definition & sources

Gender roles are socially constructed expectations about how people should behave, dress, communicate, work, and relate to others based on their perceived gender. For example, women may be expected to be nurturing, emotional, and responsible for caregiving, while men may be expected to be strong, assertive, and financially responsible. These roles are learned and reinforced through families, schools, workplaces, religious institutions, laws, media, and everyday social interactions. They are not biologically fixed: they vary across cultures and historical periods and can change over time (Eagly & Wood, 2016; World Health Organization, 2021).

Gender roles can also create unequal divisions of labour, authority, and opportunity. When people do not conform to expected roles, for example, when a man openly expresses vulnerability or a woman demonstrates assertiveness, they may experience judgment, exclusion, harassment, or discrimination. Gender roles also intersect with race, class, sexuality, disability, age, and other social positions, meaning that they are not experienced in the same way by everyone.

Harassment

Harassment is repeated behaviour that a person knows, or should reasonably know, is unwanted.

Full definition & sources

Harassment involves a pattern of behaviour or communication that a person knows, or should reasonably understand, is unwanted and may cause another person to feel uncomfortable, intimidated, humiliated, or unsafe (University of Fraser Valley, n.d.)

Heterosexuality

Describes the state of being attracted to the opposite gender of one's own

Full definition & sources

of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between people of the opposite sex (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, n.d.)

Homophobia

Homophobia refers to fear, hatred, or aversion directed toward people who experience same-sex attraction.

Full definition & sources

Homophobia refers to fear, hatred, or aversion directed toward people who experience same-sex attraction (Women and Gender Equality Canada, 2024).

Influencers

Influencers use social media content to shape how their audience engages with products, ideas, and behaviors.

Full definition & sources

Influencers use social media content to shape how their audience engages with products, ideas, and behaviors. They may be sponsored by corporations or independent content creators on platforms like Tiktok, Instagram, and Youtube (Hahn, 2021).

Intersectional gender justice lens

Intersectional gender-justice recognizes that systems of oppression operate simultaneously and interdependently.

Full definition & sources

Intersectional gender justice acknowledges that systems of oppression are interconnected and operate at the same time, requiring analysis that reflects this complexity (SIGNAL Network, n.d.).

Intersectionality

Intersectionality is a framework that allows one to understand how different aspects of a person's identity and social position can intersect and impact their experiences.

Full definition & sources

Intersectionality is a framework that allows one to understand how different aspects of a person's identity and social position (e.g., race, class, sexuality, disability) can intersect and impact their experiences (Crenshaw, 1989).

  • Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), 139–167.
Irony
Full definition & sources

the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning, a usually humorous or sardonic literary style or form characterized by irony (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

Jokes
Full definition & sources

something said or done to provoke laughter, especially: a brief oral narrative with a climactic humorous twist (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

Manosphere

The manosphere is a broad network of online communities that promote rigid and aggressive ideas about masculinity and claim that feminism threatens men’s rights. These communities often link men’s worth to emotional control, wealth, physical appearance, and dominance.

Full definition & sources

The manosphere is a broad network of online communities that promote rigid and aggressive ideas about masculinity and claim that feminism threatens men’s rights. These communities often link men’s worth to emotional control, wealth, physical appearance, and dominance. They reach male audiences across many digital platforms (UN Women, 2025)

Marginalized groups

Marginalized groups are communities that have historically been excluded from access, opportunity, and representation due to systemic power imbalances

Full definition & sources

Marginalized groups are communities that have historically been excluded from access, opportunity, and representation due to systemic power imbalances (The American College of Trust and Estate Council, n.d.).

Memes and humour

A meme can be defined as an image, video or piece of text, typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread by internet users.

Full definition & sources

A meme is a humourous or amusing piece of media that is copied and spread on the internet. Memes are an outlet for expression and may impact the formation and spread of public opinion (Benveniste, 2022)

Misogynistic Beliefs

Misogynistic beliefs are ideas that promote hatred of women covertly or overtly and enforce rigid gender roles.

Full definition & sources

Misogynistic beliefs are negative or stereotypical attitudes that portray women as inferior, manipulative, untrustworthy, or seeking to control men.

They can appear as overt hostility toward women or as seemingly positive beliefs that restrict women to traditional and subordinate gender roles (Glick & Fiske, 1996).

  • Glick, P., & Fiske, S. T. (1996). The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory: Differentiating hostile and benevolent sexism. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(3), 491–512. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.70.3.491
Misogyny

Misogyny refers to hostility, prejudice, contempt for, or punishment that is directed towards women and girls, along with those who challenge expected gender roles.

Full definition & sources

Misogyny refers to hostility, prejudice, contempt for, or punishment that is directed towards women and girls, along with those who challenge expected gender roles (Manne, 2018).

  • Manne, K. (2018). Down girl: The logic of misogyny. Oxford University Press.
  • Oxford Academic — Down Girl
Non-consensual sharing

Sending or posting content (images, videos, etc) without the permission of its creators or the people involved in it.

Full definition & sources

Non-consensual sharing refers to the act of using social media, emails, and/or other messaging services to send images, videos or messages to others without the authorization of the creator or the people implicated in this content (Government of Canada, n.d.).

Online communities

Online communities are social networks that form and interact through technology and the internet. Social media platforms offer users access to likeminded people and communities.

Full definition & sources

Online communities are social networks that form and interact through technology and the internet. Social media platforms offer users access to likeminded people and communities (Okasanen et al, 2024).

  • Oksanen, A., Celuch, M., Oksa, R., & Savolainen, I. (2024). Online communities come with real-world consequences for individuals and societies. Communications psychology, 2(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-024-00112-6
Online misogyny

Online misogyny describes misogynistic attitudes, practices, and gender-based hostility that are expressed or amplified through digital technologies and online spaces.

Full definition & sources

Online misogyny is a broad term for misogynistic attitudes, practices, expressions, and forms of gender-based hostility that are created, communicated, or amplified through digital technologies and online environments (Strathern and Pfeffer, 2023; Banet-Weiser and Miltner, 2016).

Online radicalization

Radicalization is when individuals are introduced to and continually exposed to movements and ideologies that may be extremist. Online, this occurs through social media and online forums such as instagram, reddit, and 4chan.

Full definition & sources

Radicalization is when individuals are introduced to and continually exposed to movements and ideologies that may be extremist. Online, this occurs through social media and online forums such as instagram, reddit, and 4chan (Rothut et al, 2026).

  • Rothut, S., Schulze, H., Hohner, J., Greipl, S., & Rieger, D. (2026). Radicalization and the internet: 25 years of (online) radicalization research. The Communication Review, 1–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/10714421.2026.2658935
Online threats

Online threats refer to any intimidatory online behaviours that insinuate imposing physical, psychological, social, and/or emotional damage on a person.

Full definition & sources

Online threats refer to any intimidatory online behaviours that insinuate imposing physical, psychological, social, and/or emotional damage on a person, includinng embarassing, threatening, or otherwise harassing them (Government of Canada, n.d.).

Overt or explicit sexism

Overt or explicit sexism is more direct and visible, such as openly stating that women are less capable leaders than men, making degrading sexist comments, or excluding someone from an opportunity because of their gender.

Full definition & sources

Overt or explicit sexism refers to openly expressed negative attitudes, beliefs, or behaviours toward women. It includes direct hostility, the belief that women should be subordinate to men, and negative reactions toward women who challenge male authority or traditional gender roles (Barreto & Doyle, 2023).

Patriarchy

Patriarchy is a social systems that privileges men and masculinity over women and other gender identities

Full definition & sources

Patriarchy refers to a social system that privileges men and masculinity while disadvantaging, exluding, and/or controlling women, girls, and those not conforming to dominant gender expectations (United Nations Girls' Education Initiative, n.d.)

Peers
Full definition & sources

one that is of equal standing with another, especially: one belonging to the same societal group especially based on age, grade, or status (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)

Queerphobia

Queerphobia and homophobia describe the hatred directed towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Full definition & sources

Queerphobia is a broader term describing negative attitudes, prejudice, discrimination, or hostility toward people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, or gender expressions. It can include homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia (Women and Gender Equality Canada, 2024). Queerphobia includes homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and all other forms of hate towards LGBTQIA+ identities (Diversio, 2023).

Racism and racial stereotypes

Racism is an ideology that asserts that one group is inherently superior to others. Stereotyping typically involves attributing the same characteristics to all members of a group, regardless of individual differences based on misconceptions or generalizations.

Full definition & sources

Racism is an ideology that asserts that one racialized group is inherently superior to others. It can be overtly displayed via hate speech or crimes, but may manifest in covert attitudes and values. Stereotyping typically involves attributing the same characteristics to all members of a group, regardless of individual differences based on misconceptions or generalizations (Ontario Human Rights Commission, 2024).

Radicalization

Radicalization is when individuals are introduced to and continually exposed to movements and ideologies that may be extremist. Online, this occurs through social media and online forums such as instagram, reddit, and 4chan.

Full definition & sources

Radicalization is when individuals are introduced to and continually exposed to movements and ideologies that may be extremist. Online, this occurs through social media and online forums such as instagram, reddit, and 4chan (Rothut et al, 2026).

  • Rothut, S., Schulze, H., Hohner, J., Greipl, S., & Rieger, D. (2026). Radicalization and the internet: 25 years of (online) radicalization research. The Communication Review, 1–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/10714421.2026.2658935
Religious discrimination

Religious discrimination involves treating a person unfavorably because of their religious beliefs.

Full definition & sources

Religious discrimination is defined as mistreatment towards someone about or because of their religious beliefs or practices. It can affect members of established religions, as well as people who hold other sincere religious, ethical, or moral beliefs (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, n.d.).

Rigid gender beliefs
Full definition & sources

Rigid gender roles and stereotypes are fixed beliefs and assumptions that men and women are naturally suited to different tasks and responsibilities or have likes, dislikes, desires, interests and abilities that aren’t based on their individual personalities but their gender (Rigid Gender, 2020).

Rigid masculinity

Rigid masculinity refers to the narrow set of expectations culturally ingrained into young boys from an early age to adhere to a specific idea of how a 'real man' looks, behaves, and feels.

Full definition & sources

Rigid masculinity refers to the narrow set of expectations culturally ingrained into young boys from an early age to adhere to a specific idea of how a 'real man' looks, behaves, and feels. An example of those expectations can include emotional restriction ("Real men don't cry"), extreme self-reliance ("Deal with it alone"), dominance/control ("Men are in charge"), and prioritizing toughness ("Pain is weakness") (Luz, n.d.).

Sexism

Sexism is the expression or attitude that is based in the idea that women are inferior because of their sex. Sexism manifests in the form of exclusion, stereotypes, and other forms of unequal treatment.

Full definition & sources

Sexism is the expression or attitude that is based in the idea that women are inferior because of their sex. Sexism manifests in the form of exclusion, stereotypes, and other forms of unequal treatment (Council of Europe, 2019).

Sexual deepfakes

A Sexual Deepfake is an image or recording that has been altered or manipulated (often but not always by AI) to misrepresent someone performing something sexual that they never did

Full definition & sources

A Sexual Deepfake is an image or recording that has been altered or manipulated (often but not always by AI) to misrepresent someone performing a sexual act or saying something of a sexual nature that they never did (United Nations, 2026).

Short videos

quick, engaging clips, usually filmed vertically and under 60 seconds, designed to grab attention fast

Full definition & sources

quick, engaging clips, usually filmed vertically and under 60 seconds, designed to grab attention fast (Buffer, n.d.). Many social media platforms use short-form videos as a primary form of content (e.g. TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc.)

Slang

An informal nonstandard vocabulary particular to a specific group

Full definition & sources

an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words, and extravagant, forced, or facetious figures of speech

Social isolation
Full definition & sources

Social isolation is when a person does not have relationships or contact with others and has little to no social support (Health Effects, 2024).

Transphobia

Transphobia is the prejudice or negative attitude, beliefs or views about people who are or are perceived to be transgender.

Full definition & sources

Transphobia is the prejudice or negative attitude, beliefs or views about people who are or are perceived to be transgender. Transphobia has no single, simple manifestation. It is complex and can include a range of behaviours and arguments, though at the core of transphobia is the refusal to acknowledge transgender identities (Transactual UK, 2026).

Xenophobia

Xenophobia is fear or hostility toward people from other countries or cultures, which can lead to discrimination and exclusion.

Full definition & sources

Xenophobia is fear or hostility toward people from other countries or cultures, which can lead to discrimination and exclusion.