The short version
- Researchers argue that online misogyny functions as a commercial industry exploiting male insecurity and should be regulated like other public health hazards.
- The report highlights that young men are often drawn to these communities due to isolation, educational disengagement, and economic uncertainty rather than inherent malice.
- Experts warn that removing harmful content without providing alternative sources of belonging and identity will likely fail to address the root causes of engagement.
A significant shift in how policymakers might approach online misogyny is emerging from a new report published in The Lancet, which advocates for treating the so-called manosphere as a public health crisis. The authors contend that the harms associated with these online communities are comparable to those caused by obesity or smoking, requiring a unified strategy involving governments, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and community groups. This framework moves beyond viewing individual users as solely responsible, instead framing the issue within a broader context of commercial exploitation and structural societal failures.
The report defines the manosphere not merely as a collection of fringe views but as a diffuse commercial ecosystem. It describes a loose network of online communities bound by shared beliefs regarding masculinity, misogyny, and male victimization. Crucially, the authors identify this space as a highly lucrative industry that profits by promoting extreme expressions of grievance. The business model relies on commodifying masculine identity through products and paid content that reinforce performance-oriented and health-harming behaviors, creating a feedback loop where outrage drives revenue.
Prof Kent Buse, a co-author of the paper and co-founder of the Global 50/50 thinktank, emphasized that this is a systemic business model rather than an isolated cultural phenomenon. He noted that the industry rewards extreme content because grievance is profitable, drawing parallels to historical tactics used by the tobacco industry. According to Buse, regulators can expect similar resistance, including claims that oversight infringes on personal freedom and attempts to blame individuals rather than address commercial drivers. He argued that public health officials possess a tested toolkit for managing such commercial harms and should apply it here.
The report underscores that men and boys are not the problem in themselves; rather, they are victims of conditions that leave them isolated and uncertain about their futures. Companies profit from this anger and insecurity by offering simple explanations for complex difficulties. The authors point to growing trends of disengagement from education among boys globally, alongside rising loneliness, financial worries, and social exclusion. These factors create a vulnerability that online communities exploit by providing a sense of belonging and clear narratives about why life feels difficult.
Prof Sarah Hawkes, the other lead author, stressed that the needs driving engagement with these platforms are real. The manosphere offers identity, community, and explanations for hardship, which are legitimate human desires. She warned that any response focused solely on removing or suppressing this content without offering credible alternatives is destined to fail. The goal must be to provide boys and young men with better options for connection and purpose, rather than simply instructing them on what to avoid.
Mark Brooks, policy and communications director at the Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys, welcomed the report’s classification of the issue as a public health matter. He noted that previous discussions often positioned all men and boys as the problem, ignoring the broader economic, educational, and cultural challenges that drive their engagement with such content. By recognizing that women, girls, men, and boys are all affected by this ecosystem, the report opens the door for more nuanced policy interventions that address root causes rather than symptoms.
The authors highlight that not all men and boys engage with this content equally, suggesting that targeted research is needed to identify who is most at risk. Current efforts are underway to understand the specific demographics and circumstances that make certain individuals more susceptible to radicalization or engagement with misogynistic online spaces. This data-driven approach aims to inform interventions that are both effective and equitable, ensuring that support reaches those most vulnerable to exploitation.
The proposed public health framework suggests a multi-sectoral response similar to efforts against ultra-processed foods or tobacco use. This would involve coordinated action across various domains of society to mitigate harm while addressing the underlying conditions that fuel demand for such content. By treating online misogyny as a commercial hazard with public health implications, policymakers can develop strategies that protect vulnerable populations without stigmatizing entire groups, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for young men.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Manosphere and online misogyny should be treated as public health issues, say UK experts
