What is the manosphere and what are the impacts?
The manosphere is an ecosystem of online communities and groups that spread harmful views about gender, masculinity, and women. It is growing fast thanks to influencers and social media algorithms. And it is shaping young men and boys’ beliefs worldwide. Progress towards gender equality is at risk as a result.
What is the manosphere?
The manosphere is an online network of groups. They spread misogyny and anti-feminist views through websites, forums, social media, and other online spaces. It includes Men's Rights Activists (MRAs), Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW), and Pick-Up Artists (PUAs). As well as influencers such as Andrew Tate and incels. Incels are considered to be the most extreme faction.
Manosphere beliefs
Various groups make up the manosphere. While each group's specific beliefs may vary, they all agree that feminists promote misandry (hatred of men). The groups also believe that women are to blame for disadvantage. They think that any progress made for the rights of women has come at the expense of men.
The role of social media and algorithms
Social media and their algorithms play a key role in amplifying the manosphere. They boost its anti-feminist rhetoric. Platforms like YouTube, Discord, 4chan, and X allow misogynistic content to spread. It is often positioned as ‘self-help’ or ‘dating advice.’
Algorithms are designed to maximise engagement. If a user interacts with a post or video that has sexist views or jokes, the algorithm will continue to show similar content. The user is then pushed towards increasingly extreme content. They then fall into echo chambers that normalise harmful views on women, feminism, and gender equality.
The manosphere also promotes harmful ideas about what it means to be a man. It supports a narrow view that values heterosexual, able-bodied, white men with money. Other people are treated as less important or invisible.
At the same time, social media has low entry barriers. This helps influencers grow fast and make money from their followers. They often connect with young men looking for identity or belonging.
The radicalisation pipeline and the red pill ideology
The "red pill" ideology is often one of the key gateways in the radicalisation pipeline. Being ‘red pilled’ means that you’ve woken up to the realities (not seen by most people). Realities that the media, governments, or society is ‘covering up'. That sense of superiority and awakening is highly appealing. It can speed up movement deeper into extremist communities. In incel culture, the ‘red pill’ refers to believing that society is set up to be anti-men and that women and feminism is to blame.
The radicalisation pipeline shows how men become radicalised over time. The stages are:
- entry content
- normalisation
- gateway content
- community reinforcement
- hardening of views
- adoption of extremist ideologies.
Why the manosphere matters globally
The manosphere matters globally. This is because it shapes attitudes on gender, power, and violence across cultures, not just online. Its ideas spread on social media, reaching and influencing young men worldwide.
Misogyny and harassment is fuelled through the manosphere. It creates resistance to gender equality policies. It normalises hostility towards women and feminism. This harms years of work for gender equality. It also makes it tougher to make sure women’s needs are part of laws and policies.
The manosphere also has anti-gender ideologies that deny LGBTQ+ rights. As well as a narrow definition of masculinity that places harmful limits on what it means to be a man.
Its global reach and popularity can lead to real-world harassment. It can lead to radicalisation or even extreme actions against women and girls. Understanding the manosphere is therefore crucial. For everything from creating strong education and policies, to global digital safety strategies.
How the manosphere enables harmful behaviour
The manosphere supports harmful behaviour by promoting sexist views. It normalises misogyny and makes harassment of women and girls seem justified. Its communities, and algorithms pushed by platforms, reinforce extreme ideas. Manosphere communities build echo chambers that stir hostility towards girls and women. They validate frustrations and offer strategies to take back control. This takes resentment and turns it into online actions, and sometimes real-life ones, which can be harmful.
Why these messages resonate
Everyone wants to belong and feel that they have a place in the world. But for some men, and young men in particular, they feel out of place. The manosphere provides easy solutions to tough social and personal issues. It frames issues as the fault of women or societal bias. The manosphere promises belonging and identity. It supports people who feel marginalised, lonely, or rejected.
By validating these frustrations, the manosphere creates a community where men can feel heard. Its ideas are made compelling through a mix of peer support and clear group dynamics (‘us’ versus ‘them’). This is furthered through emotionally charged messaging. Even if the ideas are misleading or harmful.
The "men are the real victims" narrative
The idea that "men are the real victims" suggests men are the ones at a disadvantage. That men face oppression in society due to gender equality and feminism. It is a central theme of the manosphere.
Some of these narratives include:
- Framing men’s struggles, such as rejection and loneliness, as evidence of systemic injustice towards men.
- Claiming that women exploit men in sexual, financial, or emotional ways.
- Portraying society as unfair to men, while emphasising women's privilege or power.
This narrative is not only misleading, but it is harmful. It twists reality and fuels anger towards women. It also oversimplifies complex social issues. These narratives harm men and boys, too.
The link to violence and misogyny
Violence and misogyny are closely linked. When misogynistic beliefs are reinforced, they make hostility and control feel normal. They dehumanise women and girls. This creates a mindset that views aggression as justified.
Misogyny can start with verbal harassment and threats. Then it may escalate to physical or sexual violence. This is the case both online and offline. Portraying women and girls as lesser, scheming, or deserving of blame is an issue. It lowers social and psychological barriers to harming them. In digital spaces, exposure to misogynistic content can reinforce these attitudes. It creates a culture where harassment, stalking, and violence are seen as okay. Or even inevitable responses.
Reversing progress made in gender equality
The manosphere slows down the progress of gender equality. It pushes stories that question feminist progress. It makes misogyny towards women and girls seem normal. Women’s empowerment is framed as a threat to men. It undermines equality in work, education, and public life.
Claiming that men are ‘victims’ of feminism leads to resentment. It suggests that women's progress harms men, an attitude that leads to hostility. Along with opposition to policies on harassment, pay gaps, and reproductive rights. Online communities boost these messages. They build echo chambers that support traditional gender roles. This, in turn, discourages men and boys from backing equality efforts.
By glorifying control over women and girls objectifying them, the manosphere reinforces cultural norms. This slows down social, political, and economic progress for gender equality.
Countering the influence of the manosphere
To counter the manosphere's influence, a combined approach is needed. One that includes education, holds platforms accountable, and gets support from the community.
Boosting digital literacy and critical thinking helps online users spot manipulative stories. Platforms must take responsibility. They need to enforce anti-harassment policies. They should also cut back on how algorithms boost extremist content.
Support networks, mentors, and positive male role models offer options to replace toxic communities. They help young men deal with frustration in a constructive way. They can also help them realise their identity and their place in the world.
Comprehensive relationships, sex and health education is also key. This can help stop people resorting to online spaces to search for answers. Proper education can help address the root causes of misogyny.
Public awareness campaigns and inclusive discussions about gender equality also challenge harmful stereotypes. They can help foster empathy and respect.
Together, these approaches reduce the appeal of the manosphere. They can limit its harmful impact.
Fostering positive masculinity and male support networks
To foster positive masculinity and support for men and boys, we must create safe spaces online and offline. In these spaces, men and boys can share their feelings and tell their stories. They can confront harmful stereotypes - free from judgment.
Programs and workshops on emotional intelligence, consent, and healthy relationships are needed. They can help reshape what it means to 'be a man', moving away from ideas of aggression or dominance. Mentorship schemes and peer support groups can also provide guidance. As well as accountability, and role models who embody the values of respect and empathy. Online and offline communities that celebrate pro-social behaviour can fight toxic narratives. They also provide a sense of belonging and purpose. This is often what men and boys drawn to the manosphere seek.
Encouraging open dialogue about challenges, vulnerability, and gender equality strengthens resilience. It promotes healthier, more constructive male identities.
Disrupting the digital recruitment process
To disrupt manosphere recruitment, platforms must curb recommendation algorithms. This is key to preventing users from being directed to extreme content. They also need to stop payments for influencers sharing harmful content and apply rules consistently. Harmful and misogynistic accounts should be taken down.
Schools and communities need to teach digital literacy. Teachers also need support and training to deliver it effectively. This can help young people, especially young men, spot manipulative messages. At the same time, we should offer positive male role models and supportive spaces.
Quick, relatable, counter-messages online can stop toxic ideas before they spread. Counselling and peer support groups should also be offered to those already in these toxic communities. Platform accountability, education, and strong communities all play a role in reducing the manosphere's influence.
Supporting girls and boys who are at risk
Supporting at-risk boys and girls starts with early intervention at home and school. They need to learn about emotional intelligence, digital literacy and healthy relationships. These skills help them manage social pressure and online risks well.
It's also important to create supportive environments at home, school, and in communities. It builds trust, promotes open communication, and fosters positive connections with peers.
Caregivers should keep an eye on what their child sees online. This includes harmful content like misogyny and extremist ideas. If they find anything concerning, they should talk about it with their child.
How Plan International UK is protecting girls’ rights online
The online world can be an inspiring and empowering place for young people. Most children have at least one social media account, using it daily. Platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram are central to their social lives.
But the internet is far from gender-neutral. More and more, girls are dealing with harassment and abuse online. This means they’re censoring their posts and even leaving social media altogether. They're losing their voice in the digital space.
It’s time to reclaim the internet for girls. Read our report on girls’ rights in the digital world.
The manosphere FAQ's
When did the manosphere start?
The ‘manosphere’ has its roots in the Men’s Rights Movement. The movement was a backlash to second-wave feminism in the 1970s. The movements belief was that men had become disadvantaged, thanks to feminism. A belief that is core to the manosphere today.
The term ‘manosphere’, is believed to have first appeared in 2009 on Blogspot. It is a play on the word ‘blogosphere’.