The online manosphere is increasingly shaping how some boys and young men understand masculinity, relationships, success, women, and their own identities. Influencers, algorithms, memes, and online communities can expose young people to misogynistic and harmful ideas that may be difficult for professionals to recognise or address.
This practical and interactive training helps professionals understand what the manosphere is, how it operates, and why its messages can be particularly influential for young people. Using contemporary examples and professional practice experience, the session explores the appeal of figures such as Andrew Tate, the role of social media algorithms, and the ways harmful online narratives can become normalised.
Participants will consider how manosphere content may present in their work with young people, including changes in language, attitudes, behaviour, relationships, and perceptions of masculinity. The training also explores how professionals can respond without alienating young people, while promoting critical thinking, emotional literacy, healthy masculinity, and respectful relationships.
The session is suitable for professionals working across social care, education, youth services, safeguarding, public health and the voluntary and community sector.
Learning objectives
- Explain what the manosphere is and identify some of the key communities, narratives, and influencers contributing to its growth
- Recognise potential signs of manosphere influence in the language, attitudes, behaviour, and relationships of young people
- Understand why these messages can be appealing to boys and young men, including how identity, belonging, insecurity, and social media algorithms can contribute to their influence
- Respond constructively to misogynistic and harmful beliefs, using approaches that maintain relationships with young people while challenging harmful attitudes
- Identify practical strategies for promoting critical thinking, healthy masculinity, emotional literacy, and respectful relationships within their professional practice
This session will be led by Jack Chisenga-Phillipps.
