How is gender-discriminatory content measured on social media? A systematic review revealing a critical gap in measurement tools

Introduction Gender discrimination remains a complex social issue manifested through sexism, gender stereotypes, sexual objectification, and sexualization. In social media environments, these forms increasingly shape the content encountered by adolescents and young adults. Although research on online gender discrimination has expanded, limited attention has been devoted to how exposure to gender-discriminatory content is defined and measured. Methods This systematic review examined the instruments used to assess gender-discriminatory content on social media among adolescents and young adults. A PRISMA-guided literature search was conducted, and studies meeting the predefined inclusion criteria were systematically reviewed. Results Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings revealed a marked lack of validated instruments for the direct assessment of gender-discriminatory social media content. Only one study developed a purpose-built content analysis tool, whereas the remaining studies relied on self-reported exposure measures, informal coding procedures, or ad hoc perceptual scales. Discussion The review highlights a substantial methodological gap in the measurement of gender-discriminatory content on social media. The findings underscore the need for standardized, theory-driven, and validated instruments capable of systematically assessing digital gender-discriminatory content beyond individuals' subjective perceptions of exposure.