“As a Woman…”: Policing Black Femininity Through Unsolicited Digital Advice

Abstract Across global platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, niche digital communities have emerged to regulate and police femininity. These groups enforce rigid gender norms, often targeting women who defy expectations. This research examines how Black women are subject to racialised digital policing, where unsolicited advice, often beginning with “As a woman, you should…”, is used to devalue and control expressions of femininity. Femininity, though not exclusive to women, is socially constructed as essential for those identified as women and is policed in racialised digital spaces. Despite growing discourse on femininity, there remains a gap in understanding how digital communities target Black women, shaping public perceptions of their gender expression. Using thematic analysis, this study explores how unsolicited advice functions as digital violence and legitimises abuse by reinforcing harmful norms. By engaging critically with these discourses, the article contributes to the study of digital femininity and offers pathways for resisting the gendered regulation of Black women in online spaces.