1.2.3 Gender differences in social media consumption Furthermore, the rise of social media is a technological advancement that has profoundly impacted the socialisation of the youngest generation in economically advanced democracies. The effects of social media consumption among Gen Z are sharply gendered. Far-right parties and influencers are more likely to target and mobilise young men to adopt alt-right, misogynist and anti-feminist attitudes and behaviours. 45 In contrast, through the#MeToo movement and similar feminist online mobilisations, social media disproportionately exposed young women to the pervasiveness of sexual discrimination, underscoring the importance of advancing gender equality. 46 This movement generated an important change in feminist social activism and awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual harassment of women and girls in economically advanced democracies. In turn, these feminist mobilisations have been argued to provoke increased sexism and a higher likelihood to vote for the far right among those who hold more conservative views on gender equality. 47 Online feminist mobilisations and misogynist counter­mobilisations, paired with algorithms that differently target men and women, may thus contribute to explaining generational gender gaps in voting, political ideology or political attitudes. “Online feminist mobilisations and misogynist counter-mobilisations, paired with algorithms that differently target men and women, may thus contribute to explaining generational gender gaps in voting, political ideology or political attitudes.” Yet, given the global nature of social media, these online mobilisations and counter-mobilisations are unable to explain cross-country or cross-regional variation in Gen Z gender divides. To explain such geographical differences in the observed phenomenon, the above-mentioned contextual factors relating to economic security, women’s educational achievements, and the growing discussion on feminism and masculinity by political parties may constitute a more fruitful research avenue. Over the past decade, parties of various party families have increasingly emphasised political questions related to gender, feminism and masculinity, albeit with different political goals. 48 While such politicisation may not explain why young men and women particularly drift apart in their political views, compared to older men and women, country differences in how political parties discuss questions related to gender may help explain country differences in whether and how young men and women are drifting apart in their political behaviour. “ “Online feminist mobilisations and misogynist counter-mobilisations, paired with algorithms that differently target men and women, may thus contribute to explaining generational gender gaps in voting, political ideology or political attitudes.” ” EqualiZe 29