How to tackle the 'manosphere' as online misogyny "damaging" children, teachers say

"I've had boys refuse to speak to me and speak to male teaching assistant instead because I am a woman and they follow Andrew Tate and thing he is amazing with all his cars and women... These were 10-year-olds," one teacher said

The 'manosphere' - what needs to be done ?

In the vast, tangled ecosystem of the internet, few subcultures have gained as much attention—and sparked as much controversy—as the “manosphere.”

A loosely connected network of blogs, forums, influencers, and podcasts, the manosphere espouses a worldview often rooted in misogyny, anti-feminism, and regressive gender norms. While it’s easy to write off some of its content as internet fringe, its reach is growing—and with it, real-world consequences.

From teenage boys parroting red-pill rhetoric to viral videos pushing toxic masculinity as self-improvement, the manosphere is no longer confined to obscure corners of the web. It’s algorithmically served up on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), often cloaked in the language of empowerment, self-help, and “truth-telling.”

Almost three in five teachers said they believe social media use has had a negative effect on behaviour in schools, a teacher's union poll of 5,800 teachers in the UK has revealed.

Influencer and self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate was named by a number of teachers in the NASUWT (National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers) survey.

The Department for Education (DfE) said it was supporting the teachers to tackle the "damaging impact" on children caused by "the rise of dangerous influences."

Union members are set to debate motion at its annual conference in Liverpool this weekend, including one that suggests right and populist movements have shifted their recruitment on to social media, messaging and online gaming platforms.

"I've had boys refuse to speak to me and speak to male teaching assistant instead because I am a woman and they follow Andrew Tate and thing he is amazing with all his cars and women... These were 10-year-olds," one teacher said.

But just how do we counteract the manosphere?

Her Voice Daily spoke to expert psychologist and former teacher, Amy Sellers who said: "it is more important than ever to tackle online misogyny, first we must understand the appeal...

1. Understand the Appeal First

Before jumping into solutions, it’s important to recognise why the manosphere spreads so effectively. At its core, it offers:

• A sense of belonging and identity to those who feel disempowered or disconnected.

• Simple, binary answers to complex societal issues.

• Charismatic influencers who project confidence and success.

• A narrative of victimhood that resonates with those navigating changing gender roles.

For many young men—especially those facing loneliness, rejection, or economic uncertainty—the manosphere provides a framework, however flawed, for understanding their struggles.

2. Don’t Just Debunk—Replace the Narrative

Combatting misinformation with fact-checks or mockery alone doesn’t work. If you remove an idea, you need to replace it with something better. That means:

• Promoting alternative male role models who embody empathy, respect, and emotional intelligence without compromising on ambition or resilience.

• Creating spaces for open discussion where young men can talk about masculinity, mental health, and relationships without judgment.

• Uplifting narratives of healthy masculinity, where vulnerability and strength coexist.

3. Use the Same Platforms, Speak Their Language

The manosphere thrives on engagement-driven platforms—so should its counter-narrative. Influencers, educators, and activists need to

• Show up on TikTok, YouTube, and Discord, where the audience is already scrolling.

• Create content that’s emotionally compelling, not just intellectually sound.

• Leverage storytelling and humour to connect, rather than lecture."

Last month, Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer welcome a move by Netflix to make the hit-series Adolescence available to screen for free in secondary schools.

But he said there was no "simple solution" to stop boys from being dragged into a "whirlpool" of misogyny.

A DfE spokesperson, responding to the NASUWT poll, said the government provides a range of resources to support teachers and its curriculum review will look at the skills children need to thrive in an online world.