Manosphere and online misogyny identified as public health risks

Researchers writing in the medical journal The Lancet have called for the manosphere and online misogyny to be treated as public health issues, comparable to the regulation of tobacco or ultra-processed foods. The report defines the manosphere as a diffuse commercial ecosystem of online communities united by shared beliefs regarding masculinity, misogyny, and male victimisation.

Experts argue that this movement has evolved into a profitable industry. Content creators and influencers, such as Andrew Tate, are noted for promoting extreme narratives that can lead to mental health problems for men and increased violence against women and girls. The report suggests that these digital spaces often frame men’s struggles as the result of feminism rather than structural social or economic conditions.

To address these harms, authors including Professor Sarah Hawkes and Professor Kent Buse recommend a coordinated response involving governments, schools, healthcare services, and community organisations. Proposed interventions include improving access to mental health services, providing better employment and skills training, and reconnecting young men with education to address the underlying isolation and insecurity that make these communities attractive.