The Manosphere and Teenagers: What Parents Need to Know
The growing influence of the manosphere and teenagers is something many parents are beginning to notice, even if they cannot always name it. Online spaces where certain influencers promote rigid ideas about masculinity, power and relationships are reaching young people more easily than ever before.
You may have seen the documentary Into the Manosphere by Louis Theroux, where he explores the world of several social media influencers operating in the UK and the US. What struck me most while watching it was not simply the content itself, but the scale of its reach and the confidence with which it is delivered. These voices are no longer sitting quietly on the fringes of the internet. They are finding their way directly into the daily lives of teenagers, and it’s deeply concerning.
Over the past few years in particular, I have noticed these themes appearing more frequently in conversations with the teenagers and parents I work with. Many young people are encountering content that presents very narrow ideas about gender, success and power. Influencers such as Andrew Tate are often referenced by teenagers themselves when these conversations arise. The content is frequently packaged in a way that feels persuasive, entertaining or even aspirational.
This is why the conversation about the manosphere and teenagers matters.
Why banning phones will not solve the problem
When we look at how social media works, it becomes clear that simply banning phones or restricting access rarely solves the deeper issue. Teenagers are naturally curious. If something feels exciting, controversial or rebellious, it can quickly become even more appealing when adults try to remove it entirely.
‘Instead, the more powerful response often lies in conversation.’
Helping teenagers question what they see online
Teenagers are still developing the ability to question what they see online. When content is presented confidently and repeatedly, it can easily be absorbed without much reflection. But when young people have space to talk about what they are seeing, something important begins to happen.
They start to test ideas, explore perspectives and think more critically about the messages they are receiving.
The impact on both boys and girls
Much of the public conversation focuses on boys when discussing the manosphere. However, it is important to remember that girls are navigating these spaces too. Many are encountering online environments where misogyny is normalised and where their worth is judged primarily through appearance.
These messages shape expectations on both sides. They influence how boys see themselves and how girls come to understand relationships.
Staying part of the conversation
As a parent of teenage boys, I know that these conversations are not always straightforward. They are often met with eye rolls, long pauses or the suggestion that I simply do not understand. But they still matter.
‘Because when teenagers feel able to speak openly, they are more likely to question what they are seeing rather than quietly absorbing it.’
The reality is that online voices will always compete for our teenagers’ attention. We cannot control every message they encounter. What we can do is remain present enough in their lives that the conversations about those messages still find their way back to us.
And perhaps that is where our influence truly sits. Not in trying to shield teenagers from the online world, but in staying connected enough that we remain part of the conversation.
A final thought for parents
For many parents, the influence of the manosphere can feel unsettling. It raises real questions about what our teenagers are absorbing online and how those messages may shape the way they see themselves and others.
But teenagers are not simply passive recipients of everything they encounter. When they have space to question what they see, talk things through and explore different perspectives, they begin to develop their own ability to think critically about the world around them.
That matters, because the conversations our teenagers are hearing today are quietly shaping the relationships they will build tomorrow.
Which means this is not only about protecting young people from harmful ideas online. It is also about helping them develop the awareness and understanding that will shape how they relate to others in the future.
‘In a world where so many voices are competing for their attention, the relationship they have with us still carries weight.’
And sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply stay connected enough that the conversations about what they are seeing continue to find their way back to us.
You can read more guidance around parenting teens in a digital age here