How we can help young boys defy the sexism and misogyny of the online ‘manosphere’

Young boys refusing to talk to their female teacher, writing about how women are men’s property, and even barking at female staff are part of a wave of sexist behavior reported in a recent survey of teachers.

While some respondents referenced the influence of Andrew Tate, the popular social media personality known for promoting misogynistic views who is currently facing charges of human trafficking and rape in Romania, he is one of several high-profile influencers who produce streams of toxic content dressed up as self-improvement messages that entrap and confuse boys with warped ideas about what it means to be a man.

These ideas are spread quite openly, on mainstream platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify, making up what is called the manosphere, a digital ecosystem of unhealthy, misogynistic online forums, podcasts, and websites.

Boys can be radicalized in the manosphere. They are encouraged to see life as war, discipline as dominance, mental health as weakness, and intimate relationships as playgrounds to objectify and dehumanize women.

Its architects know how to optimize the right platforms and craft messages that captivate boys. In a 2022 survey of 1,374 young men, just over a third (35%) reported “relating” to Tate, and a quarter (25%) reported “looking up to him as a role model,” citing admiration for his inspirational work ethic, relatable opinions about the world, his bravery and confidence, and relentless defense of traditional male values.

Despite the dangers, parents seem unaware.

According to a 2023 Internet Matters study, only 39% of fathers and 54% of mothers viewed online misogyny as a serious problem. However, raising our sons in a screen-saturated world requires that we parents approach the challenge with eyes wide open. Not to shelter nor censor our sons, but to understand and equip them.

To help parents spot and counter its influence, here are eight facts about the manosphere:

The architects of the manosphere know how to optimize the right platforms and craft messages that captivate boys.

1. It is everywhere. It is not one website nor a discreet corner of the internet. Nor is it a fringe movement. Although loosely connected, it is a global network of websites, forums, and social media accounts woven together by an ideology of male supremacy and female subordination.

2. It twists manhood. Boys are told they must be tough, never show feelings, and always win at any cost. Kindness or asking for help are considered weaknesses.

3. It normalizes violence. The manosphere has been linked to real-life rape and murder cases. Under the facade of self-improvement lies an undercurrent of extreme violence. Discussions abound on how modern society is biased against men and how women are at the root of all their problems. In retribution, men find ways to justify harassing, humiliating, and even being physically violent toward women.

4. It preys on teen boys. During adolescence, boys are forming their identities, craving acceptance, and grappling with strong emotions, making them more vulnerable to messages that promise clear rules, instant confidence, and a sense of belonging. In the manosphere, these promises are the bait that lures boys into a destructive cycle of anger and harm.

5. It exploits algorithms. When boys search for information on dating and relationships, body image and exercise, work and success, artificial intelligence algorithms flood their timelines with misogynistic and harmful content. The increased exposure raises their risk of being caught in a web of toxic masculinity.

Raising our sons in a screen-saturated world requires that we parents approach the challenge with eyes wide open.

6. It uses code. Words like alpha, beta, red pill, or simp are red flags. The manosphere has its own cryptic language, used to spread its toxic ideas.

7. It infiltrates online games. In some gaming forums, hate speech is so common that these spaces are fueling the rise of “woman-hating” attitudes.

8. It feels harmless (until it’s not). Because messages are often disguised as confidence-building or “male empowerment,” boys may not realize it is unsafe or that they are absorbing misogynistic ideas until they are deeply immersed.

Indeed, there are systemic gaps in addressing issues affecting boys in critical areas such as education and mental health. And this is what makes the manosphere resonate with so many. It promises community and belonging and discussions on men’s issues at a time when these may seem ignored. But at the cost of our sons’ humanity, the manosphere falls short on delivering these promises, leaving its victims further alienated and hostile.

The internet is shaping how our sons understand manhood. A reality we cannot escape. But the implications are too far-reaching to be left to chance. Boys’ online experiences shape their offline realities, influencing the ways they interact with peers, form relationships, and view gender roles. Parents can be the greatest defense by creating a judgment-free space for open conversation.

The good news is that the influence of the manosphere can be challenged. We are not passive consumers of content nor silent bystanders on the sidelines of our sons’ life journey. Through everyday conversations, modeling positive values, and sharing appropriate alternatives, we can help our sons see through the smoke and mirrors to choose a healthier path to manhood.

Kevin Liverpool works as a partnerships specialist with No Means No Worldwide, an international nonprofit on a mission to end sexual violence against women and children globally. is a Public Voices Fellow on Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse with The OpEd Project.