Navigating the Manosphere: Understanding the Online World of Teenage Boys

The internet can be a pretty wild place for teenagers these days. As a space for learning, connecting, and exploring, we know how much of a challenge it is for young women. But one thing that’s only seeing the light of day recently? The digital environment our boys engage in every single day. 

The internet is a multi-faceted place where young minds are shaped. 

Ever heard of the ‘manosphere’? Let’s get into it. 

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What’s the Manosphere?

By now, we know the internet isn’t binary. There's a galaxy of communities and digital spaces – some are fantastic, educational and empowering. Some are neutral, or silly. 

But most of us aren’t aware about the darker corners of the internet. And the truth is, our teenagers are more prone to entering these spaces than we’d like to think. 

Enter,the manosphere. 

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The good and bad sides of the manosphere

Like most spaces on the internet, the manosphere is home to a spectrum of different communities. Some of them are empowering, relating to conscious masculinity, self-improvement and what it means to be a man on a personal growth journey in 2025. This is the kind of content that can actually help young people grow into strong, self-confident men.

But other spaces are dark – much darker. Here, you’ll find the likes of Andrew Tate, Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan. 

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Need a quick catch-up?

Andrew Tate is a former kickboxer known for his controversial opinions on masculinity, success, and society. He’s got a lot of people both rooting for him and against him as he debates his views on gender roles and influence.

Jordan Peterson is a Canadian psychologist and professor known for his views on psychology and self-help. One of his core beliefs is that traditional masculine roles should stand, and men acting as providers and protectors offers a foundation for stability in society.

Joe Rogan is a comedian and podcaster who is widely adored and criticised for his views on masculinity, self-reliance and mental toughness. 

This part of the manosphere is known to push toxic and dangerous ideas about gender roles, relationships and power dynamics. 

Michael Conroy, who trains school staff on how to talk to boys about the manosphere, noted that Tate had come up in every single workshop across 50 schools. 

“Algorithms make it possible for someone like Tate to be hugely well known to 14- to 18-year-old boys. 

One teacher talked about a lesson on sexual consent in which a boy quoted Tate, saying if a woman went out alone at night and was attacked it was her fault,” he said.

Here, you will find misogyny, sexism, and a warped view of what it means to be a man. The "alpha male" mentality gets pushed hard here. It’s a space where being tough, aggressive, and emotionally distant is seen as the best way to succeed at life.

To add fuel to the fire, there’s a deeper side to the toxicity, too – think incels and men’s rights activists. This is where the rhetoric gets even darker. It breeds isolation and resentment, which is pretty dangerous for a young person still figuring out their place in the world.

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Need a quick catch-up?

Incels are men who are ‘involuntary celibates’. They view women as objects, and perpetuate harmful behaviour including violence against women. They are driven by deep resentment and entitlement and are usually fueled by online communities that reinforce these beliefs. 

Men’s rights activists perpetuate misogyny, blaming women for societal issues, and often advocating for harmful, discriminatory behaviour.

Spending time in these spaces is a one-way ticket to toxic masculinity. This kind of viewpoint will always have real-world consequences, and alter the way boys view themselves, as well as women, and relationships.Scary stuff, right? 

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How do these communities play into outdated societal beliefs?

This side of the manosphere is strongly holding onto the core belief of our patriarchal story that’s as old as time. The story that men are inherently better than women. That they’re more capable. That they’re more deserving. You know the one?

And while we’re seeing big shifts in the real world on this front (yep, we get to play a big part of that with our boys workshops), online spaces like these are ambushing our progress in the name of ‘modern masculine empowerment’.  

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Why do teenage boys get drawn into this space? 

The most dangerous part of this online space is the sense of camaraderie it fuels. And while many grown men have the information literacy and real-world experience to take the rhetoric of Jordan Peterson or Joe Rogan with a grain of salt (or ignore them completely), teenage boys aren’t as well-equipped. For those young boys who feel lost and unseen in their own realities, this space can fool them into feeling like they’ve found their community. 

After all, they’re just looking for a place to belong. They’re using the internet to answer tough questions about who they are and how they fit into the world, and unfortunately, the lines are a lot blurrier than when we grew up. 

For some, the dark side of the manosphere offers an easy answer to these questions. Why? 

Well, the manosphere presents a pretty clear-cut view of masculinity, as well as a roadmap to ‘becoming a man’. One where power, control, and status are king. And for a teenage boy still figuring things out, that can feel reassuring.

As another spanner in the works, these online spaces are usually super engaging. When your worth is being validated by an interactive community, it’s easy to understand why our teenage boys can get hooked on the dark sides of the manosphere. 

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The role of algorithms 

Here’s where it gets extra tricky. If your son watches a video on YouTube or engages with a post about Andrew Tate or another figure in the manosphere, the platform’s algorithm might automatically start recommending more of the same content. It’s like a feedback loop that pushes him deeper into these toxic spaces without even realising it. Creepy. Let’s get into some action points and learn about how you can spot the signs of the manosphere’s grip, and what you can do about it. 

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How to spot the signs 

If your son is spending time online, there’s a chance he might come across some of this content. And while not every teenage boy is going to get drawn into it, it’s still worth knowing the signs. If you notice any of these, it might be time to have a chat.

1. Attitudes toward women start to shift: If your son suddenly starts making offhand comments that feel dismissive or even outright hostile toward women or girls, it could be a red flag. Keep a close eye on how they speak about their mother, their female friends and their female teachers. 
2. The ‘Alpha Male’ obsession: If he starts talking about how he wants to dominate or lead in every situation, that’s something to pay attention to. This is often a sign that he’s hooked on the "alpha" mindset.
3. Secrecy around online activities: If he becomes more secretive or defensive about his online time, it’s worth asking more questions.
4. Newfound negativity: If you notice a shift in his language—becoming more combative or dismissive of people who don’t fit his "worldview"—that’s a sign that something’s influencing him.

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What can you do?

So how do we help our teenage boys stay away from the negative influences of the manosphere while still respecting their need for self-expression and exploration? Here are a few things that can help:

1. Have open conversations: Don’t just shut down the conversation when you hear something you don’t like. Instead, ask questions. Get curious about what he’s been watching and learning. Approach it with respect and openness, not judgment. A little curiosity goes a long way.
2. Promote critical thinking: Help him think critically about what he sees online. Encourage him to question where the information is coming from and whether it’s promoting healthy, respectful behaviors. 
3. Model healthy masculinity: Show him what being a strong, compassionate, and respectful man looks like in action. Whether it’s through your own behavior or pointing him toward positive role models, showing him that being "manly" doesn’t mean being aggressive or domineering is huge.
4. Equip Yourself with the Tools to Help

Register for our free Respect Starts Now workshop delivered in partnership with the Australian Government’s Stop it at the Start initiative. This workshop provides you with the tools, confidence, and strategies to support your young person in navigating online influences and building respectful relationships. Join us to feel empowered and ready to have the conversations that really matter.

To support our boys in navigating the manosphere, we need to foster emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and healthy role models. If we’re going to empower teenage boys to be the best version of themselves as they grow into men, it begins here – online.

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