The Manosphere is a collection of sexist ideas, shared and discussed in digital forums, groups and meet ups.
Protecting young people from misogyny and the manosphere
With online harassment becoming real-world violence, even harmful comments have deeper consequences for both boys and girls. Manosphere, red-pill, incel – you might’ve heard of these terms. Here, we break down the terminology, and some of the risks to young people. Learn what parents and carers can look out for to keep young people safe.
Manosphere stats
63%
of young men watch masculinity influencers
1/3
of Gen Z men and boys think a wife should obey her husband
1 in 6
6 to 15-year-old boys have a positive opinion of Andrew Tate
Sense of belonging
A sense of belonging
Young people need connection and safe spaces to be themselves without feeling judged, rejected, or outcast.
With positive influences and early education, children begin to develop a more certain sense of themselves and the world around them, making them less susceptible to harmful rhetorics like those of the manosphere and able to challenge sexism when they see it.
Misogyny isn’t new, the reach of sexist influencers is
The ‘manosphere,’ consisting of misogynist ideas spread through online spaces, has exposed many people - boys, men, girls, women - to negative attitudes towards women and girls. It can cause them to adopt hostile views, sometimes acting upon them.
Such influencers objectify women and girls, use dehumanising, traditional language, and paint them as inferior, for example belonging in the kitchen and only capable of motherhood, while also promoting the idea that men are oppressed victims of feminism.
Representing women as weak and manipulative can convince boys that men must always be in control, so they begin to find their worth and masculinity tied to dominating women.
This can escalate into physical and sexual violence against women and girls (VAWG) when their views become extremely distorted.
Why do these narratives appeal to young boys?
Why do these narratives appeal to young boys?
When teenagers are struggling with their identity and uncertainties, the manosphere appears to offer answers. Masculinity influencers provide a sense of belonging where boys otherwise lack it, usually fixating on appearance, wealth, and sex.
These online spaces build on algorithms feeding harmful content to young people - what may begin as ironic jokes can quickly become deeply rooted sexism. This can keep them stuck in an echo chamber of misogynistic views.
Vulnerabilities
Boys may be vulnerable, feeling insecure about their appearance, being exposed to domestic violence or abuse, or being bullied. These are exploited by the influencers to validate misogynistic ideas, and in some cases manipulate them into taking real-world, extreme actions.
"Children who harm others are often experiencing significant hurt themselves. Behaviour is usually the final expression of an unmet need: negative thoughts develop into difficult emotions, which can present as harmful or concerning behaviour.
We found that for children who have been victims of domestic abuse, their sense of physical and emotional safety has been eroded. Safety is a fundamental human need, and when it is compromised over a prolonged period, it can lead to insecure or disrupted attachments with the adults who should be their source of stability." - Gabrielle Ernest, Operations Manager at Resolve@
Young men stats
2/3
of young men feel that ‘No one really knows me’
48%
of incel participants recorded very high levels of loneliness
54%
of boys think boys have it harder than girls today
Terms to look out for
Harm to girls
How does this harm girls?
As the manosphere normalises misogyny, boys exposed to this content are more likely to objectify women and justify harmful behaviours towards them. This can escalate from verbal threats or online harassment to stalking and physical or sexual assault.
Harm to girls
This creates an unsafe environment for women and girls to exist in – in schools, the workplace, and the streets. Not only do these behaviours increase physical dangers for women and girls, but also anxiety, paranoia, and depression around regular occurrences in daily life.
As misogynist views spread, they also risk dismantling progress on gender equality - from policies on harassment to pay gaps and reproductive rights.
The government have named VAWG as a national emergency that deserves a whole-of-society response, focusing on early intervention.
Girls stats
58%
of girls and young women have experienced some form of online harassment
UK girls
reported consistently lower happiness relative to boys
Around 1 in 8
women were victims of sexual assault, domestic abuse or stalking
37%
of female students at mixed sex schools have personally experienced some form of sexual harassment at school
How does this harm boys?
In promoting dominance as masculine, the manosphere shuns feelings and vulnerabilities as feminine and inferior.
This leads to boys feeling shame about seeking mental health support or disclosing abuse. Many people assume girls are the most common targets of sexual abuse and exploitation, which leaves boys being abused going unnoticed. Boys are often worried about opening up, scared that they may be ridiculed or labelled as weak.
If they deeply embed themselves into these communities, boys are at risk of internalising extreme messaging, which can result in condoning, even encouraging, violence against women and girls.
Importance of early support
Importance of early support
Research suggests that children's attitudes towards gender are fully formed by age 7. Early support and education, like through our Beyond Gender Stereotypes curriculum, are crucial in tackling misogyny and the ideas circulated in the manosphere at its roots.
Digital literacy is especially important in these areas, as the manosphere is built upon misinformation. Teaching young people to think critically, question the sources of the information they consume, and challenge generalisations, will reduce the risk of harm.
What can you do?
Create an open dialogue with your child. Take an interest in their interests and remain curious about the content they consume. Check in regularly and let them know you’ll always lend an unjudgmental ear.
Be a positive role model. Show that you are willing to understand and support them whenever they need it. Helping your child feel heard will reduce the risk of them seeking solace elsewhere.
Author: Aisha Khan
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