Is it a cause for concern if boys come into contact with the manosphere?

At first glance, the content in the manosphere may seem positive. But underneath this are harmful beliefs and hostile ideas about women, feminism and social equality.

It is not necessarily immediately a cause for concern if a boy comes into contact with certain ideas within the manosphere. During puberty, young people often test boundaries and distance themselves from their caregivers. They develop their own norms and values and experiment with their identity. This is part of the developmental stage.

Every generation of young people experiments with extreme opinions and ideas. Concerns about the influence of the online world on young people are not new either. In the past, for example, there were discussions about the influence of sexual imagery in music videos or violent games. Nevertheless, we must take concerns about the manosphere seriously. The online subculture spreads hostile and polarizing ideas about women and equality. This affects young people not only personally, but may also influence their attitudes in society in the long term.

What is your role as an education professional?

In today's online environment, young people have direct access to an enormous amount of information and opinions. As a result, they form opinions more quickly. Sometimes without testing them with questions such as: what is this opinion based on, does the information come from a reliable source, and what other perspective is there? It is up to parents, professionals and other people around young people to provide that context. By challenging and questioning the ideas of the manosphere.

As a professional, you can contribute by providing a safe, respectful and critical environment in which young people can develop. You can do this by:

  • Being curious about their experiences and online activities.
  • Staying well informed about the trends and influencers they follow.
  • Reflecting their behavior back to them and making it open for discussion.
  • Setting clear boundaries when statements or behavior are harmful or cross the line.

What can you do as an education professional?

Make room for open conversation

If a boy is interested in the manosphere, it may mean that he needs connection and recognition. Therefore, discuss themes such as masculinity, performance pressure, relationships and emotions in an open manner. Organize group discussions, mentoring classes or project weeks. Ask young people to respond to statements such as 'Boys must always be strong' or 'Vulnerability is weakness'. Use videos or clips from popular influencers as a starting point for the conversation.

Ask questions about extreme statements, without judgment

Do not immediately respond by correcting someone when they make an extreme statement, but ask open questions: 'What appeals to you about this?' or 'Where did you hear this?'

Relate statements back to the personal situation of young people: 'Suppose someone said this about your sister or mother, what would you think of that?'

Draw the line when there is exclusion or insult

As a professional, you play an important role in conveying the social norm that everyone is equal and that discrimination and misogyny are unacceptable. Therefore, draw a clear line if you notice that a young person is excluding or insulting groups.

Show positive male role models

Invite speakers or people with lived experience who are open about their experiences as men. Use educational materials in which men are not only 'tough', but also caring, involved or doubtful. And set the example yourself as a professional: show empathy, set boundaries and dare to be vulnerable.

Identify worrying developments at an early stage

Pay attention to signs such as withdrawal, loneliness and extreme expressions.

What are the signs of radicalization?

Work on media literacy

Discuss with young people how algorithms work and how platforms such as YouTube or TikTok serve up increasingly extreme content. Train young people to think critically about online sources. Have them investigate for themselves who is behind an influencer or channel, and what interests or worldviews lie beneath it. For this purpose, use, for example, an existing lesson package on online safety and digital citizenship, such as De Internethelden by Bureau Jeugd & Media.

Source: Nji.