Parents News Forum
Online safety expert: here’s how to protect your child from the ‘manosphere’ as violent misogynistic rhetoric spreads like wildfire
Quote from Penny McCarthy on August 11, 2025, 1:27 pmThe digital landscape has become a battleground where young minds are increasingly vulnerable to harmful ideologies. Among the most dangerous is the so-called ‘manosphere’ - a network of online spaces promoting violent misogyny, toxic masculinity, and conspiracy theories.
Dr. Huriye Atilgan, a neuroscientist and founder of TAK Index, a system that evaluates the safety and developmental impact of children’s games, explains the scale of the problem:
“We’ve already seen a worrying number of young men pulled into violent misogynistic ideologies online. Just ask any teacher about what’s been coming up in their classrooms over the past five years. The manosphere targets a generation of lonely, disillusioned young men with messages that tap into their frustrations and vulnerabilities. These narratives are packaged as empowerment, but they’re often bait to lure young people into toxic, destructive thinking. It doesn’t matter if figures like Andrew Tate face legal action; their followers dismiss it as a ‘matrix’ conspiracy. This is reminiscent of how ‘fake news’ was weaponised politically, but today AI makes misinformation even harder to spot. Parents and educators must be vigilant because this influence is here to stay and it’s profitable for those spreading it.”
Here’s how parents can help stop their children from being radicalised by online alpha male influencers:
- Open the conversation early and often
It’s crucial to create a safe space where your child feels comfortable discussing their online experiences and feelings without fear of judgment or punishment. Radicalisation thrives in secrecy and isolation, so breaking that silence is a powerful first step. Ask open-ended questions about what they watch or who they follow online. Stay curious rather than confrontational to avoid pushing them away. Listening carefully can help you spot worrying signs before they deepen.
Top tip: Set regular check-ins that feel natural, like during car rides or meal times, so your child knows these conversations are ongoing and supportive, not a one-off interrogation.
- Educate them on spotting misinformation and manipulation
The manosphere often relies on conspiracy theories and distorted facts to build distrust and recruit followers. Teach your child how to critically evaluate the information they come across, especially on social media and YouTube. Show them how to fact-check sources and question narratives that seem too simplistic or emotionally charged. Empowering children with media literacy skills helps them resist manipulation and see through deceptive messaging.
Top tip: Use real-world examples, including those they’ve encountered online, to guide discussions on bias and misinformation. Interactive fact-checking apps or websites can make this learning engaging.
- Promote healthy masculinity and positive role models
Countering toxic masculinity requires offering alternative images of what it means to be a man. Encourage your child to explore diverse perspectives on strength, emotion, and respect. Highlight role models from various backgrounds who demonstrate empathy, responsibility, and integrity. This helps dismantle the narrow, aggressive ideals pushed by manosphere content and builds a foundation for more balanced self-esteem.
Top tip: Introduce books, films, and podcasts that challenge stereotypes and celebrate nuanced, respectful masculinity to inspire your child.
- Monitor their online activity without invading their privacy
While trust is essential, staying aware of what your child accesses online is key to early intervention. Use parental controls and safe browsing tools to limit exposure to harmful content, but avoid overly restrictive measures that might encourage secretive behaviour. Regularly review the apps and channels they engage with, and discuss any concerns openly to maintain transparency.
Top tip: Agree on clear, mutually respectful boundaries about screen time and content, so your child understands the reasons behind monitoring.
- Encourage social connections and offline interests
Loneliness and social isolation make young people more vulnerable to online radicalisation. Encourage your child to build friendships and take part in activities that boost their confidence and sense of belonging outside the digital world. Sports, arts, volunteering, or clubs can provide supportive communities that reinforce positive values and reduce the allure of toxic online groups.
Top tip: Help your child find and commit to at least one regular offline activity they genuinely enjoy, and participate occasionally to show your support.
- Help shape their online communities and peer environments
Young people rarely explore the internet alone. Their digital world is shaped by what their friends play, watch, and talk about - and that shared online ecosystem can have a huge influence. Help your child build a peer environment that supports curiosity, collaboration, and creativity by encouraging group games and platforms that prioritise problem-solving and teamwork. When their digital space is more constructive and less algorithm-driven, they’re less likely to seek out, or stumble into, harmful content. A healthy online community helps reduce the appeal of toxic echo chambers by offering something better in its place.
Top tip: Take an interest in the games and platforms their friends use. Encourage choices that support critical thinking and meaningful interaction, and steer them toward collaborative, strategy-based games over passive consumption or isolated scrolling.
The digital landscape has become a battleground where young minds are increasingly vulnerable to harmful ideologies. Among the most dangerous is the so-called ‘manosphere’ - a network of online spaces promoting violent misogyny, toxic masculinity, and conspiracy theories.
Dr. Huriye Atilgan, a neuroscientist and founder of TAK Index, a system that evaluates the safety and developmental impact of children’s games, explains the scale of the problem:
“We’ve already seen a worrying number of young men pulled into violent misogynistic ideologies online. Just ask any teacher about what’s been coming up in their classrooms over the past five years. The manosphere targets a generation of lonely, disillusioned young men with messages that tap into their frustrations and vulnerabilities. These narratives are packaged as empowerment, but they’re often bait to lure young people into toxic, destructive thinking. It doesn’t matter if figures like Andrew Tate face legal action; their followers dismiss it as a ‘matrix’ conspiracy. This is reminiscent of how ‘fake news’ was weaponised politically, but today AI makes misinformation even harder to spot. Parents and educators must be vigilant because this influence is here to stay and it’s profitable for those spreading it.”
Here’s how parents can help stop their children from being radicalised by online alpha male influencers:
- Open the conversation early and often
It’s crucial to create a safe space where your child feels comfortable discussing their online experiences and feelings without fear of judgment or punishment. Radicalisation thrives in secrecy and isolation, so breaking that silence is a powerful first step. Ask open-ended questions about what they watch or who they follow online. Stay curious rather than confrontational to avoid pushing them away. Listening carefully can help you spot worrying signs before they deepen.
Top tip: Set regular check-ins that feel natural, like during car rides or meal times, so your child knows these conversations are ongoing and supportive, not a one-off interrogation.
- Educate them on spotting misinformation and manipulation
The manosphere often relies on conspiracy theories and distorted facts to build distrust and recruit followers. Teach your child how to critically evaluate the information they come across, especially on social media and YouTube. Show them how to fact-check sources and question narratives that seem too simplistic or emotionally charged. Empowering children with media literacy skills helps them resist manipulation and see through deceptive messaging.
Top tip: Use real-world examples, including those they’ve encountered online, to guide discussions on bias and misinformation. Interactive fact-checking apps or websites can make this learning engaging.
- Promote healthy masculinity and positive role models
Countering toxic masculinity requires offering alternative images of what it means to be a man. Encourage your child to explore diverse perspectives on strength, emotion, and respect. Highlight role models from various backgrounds who demonstrate empathy, responsibility, and integrity. This helps dismantle the narrow, aggressive ideals pushed by manosphere content and builds a foundation for more balanced self-esteem.
Top tip: Introduce books, films, and podcasts that challenge stereotypes and celebrate nuanced, respectful masculinity to inspire your child.
- Monitor their online activity without invading their privacy
While trust is essential, staying aware of what your child accesses online is key to early intervention. Use parental controls and safe browsing tools to limit exposure to harmful content, but avoid overly restrictive measures that might encourage secretive behaviour. Regularly review the apps and channels they engage with, and discuss any concerns openly to maintain transparency.
Top tip: Agree on clear, mutually respectful boundaries about screen time and content, so your child understands the reasons behind monitoring.
- Encourage social connections and offline interests
Loneliness and social isolation make young people more vulnerable to online radicalisation. Encourage your child to build friendships and take part in activities that boost their confidence and sense of belonging outside the digital world. Sports, arts, volunteering, or clubs can provide supportive communities that reinforce positive values and reduce the allure of toxic online groups.
Top tip: Help your child find and commit to at least one regular offline activity they genuinely enjoy, and participate occasionally to show your support.
- Help shape their online communities and peer environments
Young people rarely explore the internet alone. Their digital world is shaped by what their friends play, watch, and talk about - and that shared online ecosystem can have a huge influence. Help your child build a peer environment that supports curiosity, collaboration, and creativity by encouraging group games and platforms that prioritise problem-solving and teamwork. When their digital space is more constructive and less algorithm-driven, they’re less likely to seek out, or stumble into, harmful content. A healthy online community helps reduce the appeal of toxic echo chambers by offering something better in its place.
Top tip: Take an interest in the games and platforms their friends use. Encourage choices that support critical thinking and meaningful interaction, and steer them toward collaborative, strategy-based games over passive consumption or isolated scrolling.