7 Stereotype-busting Social Media Accounts to Follow

There’s been a lot of discussion recently about digital detoxing - specifically about setting boundaries around how we use social media. We've all been there - sucked down the rabbit hole of consumerism and keeping-up-with-the-Joneses. And we've all thought about cutting ourselves off and sticking the damn phone in a cupboard to get over the constant checking.

But social media can sometimes be a lifesaver - a consoling voice when you feel low, or a reassuring camaradarie when everything fells like it's falling to pieces. It can also a be a brilliant tool for changing minds, meeting like-minded people, building communities and making a difference.

Thinking of social media accounts as our magazine - a magazine that we create ourselves, that informs, challenges and entertains us can really help regulate usage. Maybe we don’t need to go so far as to Marie Kondo our social feeds (constantly asking 'does this spark joy?' could be a bit wearing). But it’s worth asking what we want from the accounts we follow, and thinking about what we actually get.

With that in mind, here is our pick of great social media accounts to follow, that will make your personal magazine more interesting, thought-provoking and more world-changing.

1. A Mighty Girl

Founded in 2012, A Mighty Girl is dedicated to raising smart, confident, and courageous girls. The website itself is a treasure trove of books, films, toys and more that presents positive images of women. Their Facebook posts often take a topic (diversity, self esteem, parent-child relationships etc) and then round up all the great research they’ve done set out by age.  Don’t be put off by the name, as they say: all children should have the opportunity to read books, play with toys, listen to music, and watch movies that offer positive messages about girls and honour their diverse capabilities.

2. Gender Diary

Gender Diary began noting down all the ways their children were treated differently because of their gender. Using Twitter as their diary, the two parents have built up two years worth of experiences, and ways to combat them, that they have now published in a book. They are leading the growing trend to call out stereotyping wherever you see it. Even when you think it doesn't matter - it does. 

3. Man Vs Pink

Man Vs Pink is a stay at home dad who has a small super fan. She happens to be a girl, and the realisation that being into superheroes, flying, fighting with lightsabers, robots or anything else is not just for the boys spawned a blog. There are some great insights into fighting gender divisions and a lot of brilliant outfits.

4. Think or Blue

Think or Blue’s Instagram feed has a great mix of quotes and images. There aren’t many accounts that focus equally on blasting gender stereotypes for girls and boys. We love a kindred spirit, and Think or Blue often makes us think about something we’ve taken for granted. 

5. Let Toys be Toys

Let Toys be Toys is the original parent-led campaign against the needless gendering of marketing to children. They have already achieved the eradication of ‘girl and boy aisles’ in big toy retailers across the UK. They don’t rest on their laurels though and continue fighting to let kids play with whatever they like. Tweets are always fully researched, and point out both best practice and worst offenders.

6. Man Enough

Justin Baldoni is most famous as the male lead in sitcom Jane the Virgin. But he’s started an online chat show where he gets together a group of high profile men to talk about traditional masculinity in the US. They talk about what it means and has meant to be a man, and how views on masculinity affect men and women. Clips on their Facebook feed will make you want to watch the full episodes on their site.

7. These_Two_Dudes

Essentially a microblog on Instagram These_Two_Dudes notices all the insidious ways our society tries to divide our kids on gender lines. He’s not having any of it, and his comments are always on point. We like a bit of righteous anger with our Instagram, and so should you.

Are there any accounts you like to follow? What features most heavily in your curated magazine? Friends? Fashion? It’s pretty amazing how we can blend everything we love into one addictive scroll that’s constantly with us . . . Amazing good? Or amazing bad? Share your thoughts below.