Social media platforms have become central to how young people consume information, form identities, and engage with the world. These platforms rely on algorithms to curate content, often in ways that reflect and reinforce existing societal biases. One emerging concern is algorithmic gender bias—the unequal representation and treatment of genders in the content users are exposed to. While not always intentional, such biases can limit visibility for women, reinforce traditional gender roles, and marginalize feminist or equality-focused content.

In regions like the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), where gender inequality is already embedded in social and institutional structures, these effects are especially concerning. Imported technologies, often designed in Western contexts, are rarely adapted to local cultural or linguistic realities. Despite growing awareness of these issues globally, youth perspectives—particularly in developing contexts—remain underrepresented in both academic and policy discussions. Existing studies tend to focus on technical causes or solutions, with little input from those most affected by biased content systems. 

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