‘It’s pretty toxic… but just a little, I want to be like that’: what young men think of manosphere content

Key points

• New research surveyed 142 young men aged 16 to 25 across Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States about masculinity content on social media. Participants said such material can offer practical self-help, from discipline and fitness to financial and dating advice, though many found it superficial and harmful.
• Several criticised manfluencers, including Andrew Tate, for exploiting insecurities and promoting misogyny, violence and risky health behaviour.
• Participants said they engaged selectively, taking useful lessons while rejecting harmful messages, yet many still tolerated misogyny in exchange for the advice they valued.