ACT Early is a police-led initiative providing advice and support for parents concerned about radicalisation.
What is online radicalisation?
The manosphere is an online community promoting anti-feminist and misogynistic beliefs. They can exploit vulnerable teenagers and lead to their online radicalisation, including extreme involuntary celibate (incel) ideologies. By recognising the early warning signs of toxic influence, parents and carers can actively support teens in navigating away from harmful content and building healthier perspectives.
Defining online radicalisation
Defining online radicalisation
In the UK, online radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies. While historically associated with political or religious extremism, the UK government’s Prevent strategy now recognises extreme misogyny and "incel" ideology as a severe radicalisation threat.
Radicalisation is a continual process. It rarely happens overnight. Instead, vulnerable young people are gradually introduced to extreme views through internet forums, social media algorithms, and online gaming platforms, until these toxic beliefs become their primary way of viewing the world.
The manosphere
The manosphere is an umbrella term for the network of websites, forums, social media communities and individuals that promote anti-feminism, toxic ideas of masculinity, and misogyny. It's not a single website, but rather an ecosystem of content creators, influencers, and anonymous message boards that push a narrative of male victimhood.
The term "manosphere" originated in the late 2000s on early blogging platforms. It was initially used to describe a collection of men's rights activists. Over the past decade, this subculture has migrated to mainstream platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit, becoming more extreme and easily accessible to children and teenagers.
Online radicalisation intentionally targets vulnerable young people. The manosphere specifically preys on boys who are struggling with loneliness or social isolation, experiencing bullying or low self-esteem, neurodivergent, and lacking positive male role models.
Social media platforms are designed to keep users engaged and prioritise "edgy," controversial, and emotionally-charged content because it generates the most views and engagement. If a teenager watches a single video promoting toxic ideas, the algorithm will rapidly flood their feed with similar, increasingly extreme content, creating an inescapable echo-chamber.
Protecting young people
Here, we break down the terminology, how the manosphere radicalises young people, and its risks. Learn what parents and carers can look out for to keep young people safe from misogyny and toxic spaces.
Spotting the signs of online radicalisation
Parents and carers play a vital role in early intervention. Radicalisation happens quietly, usually behind the closed door of a teenager's bedroom.
The UK’s ACT Early initiative outlines several warning signs that a young person may be facing online radicalisation. Look out for:
- A sudden change in vocabulary: Using manosphere slang (Chad, beta, red pill) in everyday conversation.
- Increased secrecy: Quickly closing browser windows when you enter the room or refusing to discuss what they watch online.
- Hostility and aggression: Displaying sudden disrespect, particularly towards mothers, sisters, or female teachers.
- Withdrawing from real life: Dropping out of hobbies, sports, and real-life friendships in favour of spending all their time online.
How to talk to your child about online radicalisation
How to talk to your child about online radicalisation
If you think your child is being influenced by the manosphere, approach the situation with curiosity, not condemnation. Teenagers are quite defensive when they feel their identity is under attack.
Do not confiscate devices immediately. This often causes teenagers to become more secretive and reinforces the manosphere narrative that "the system is trying to silence you." Instead, ask open questions, like "I've heard a lot about (Influencer Name) recently, what do you think of their videos?"
Talking to your child
If they say something misogynistic, challenge the idea, not the child. Ask them why they think that, how they might feel if that was said about them or someone they care about. In challenging their ideas, provide alternative ways of thinking: come prepared for the conversation, with evidence backed views that can provide an alternative to the radical ideologies.
Try to guide your child towards researching these different ways of thinking, rather than forcing them to accept them straight away
Recommended resources and tools
If you are concerned about a teenager, the following resources provide expert guidance.
How The Children’s Society is tackling online radicalisation
At The Children’s Society, we believe no young person should be lost to exploitation. Our frontline practitioners work tirelessly with vulnerable young people who are at risk of grooming, both offline and online.
Through mentoring, targeted youth work, and advocacy, we help teenagers build resilience against toxic narratives, ensuring they have safe spaces to discuss their fears and aspirations away from the pressures of the internet.
Find out more about what we do and the impact we’re having through supporting teenagers
