International Men’s Day is on 19 November, an occasion to reflect not only on the issues men face, like mental health struggles, loneliness, and societal expectations, but also on how young men are navigating a new and troubling dynamic: the rise of online misogyny. High-profile influencers such as Andrew Tate have perpetuated a hyper-masculine narrative, glorifying outdated ideals of male worth – money, power, and dominance over women. But behind this façade lies a deeper con: a system profiting from male insecurity and emotional suppression.
The “manosphere,” a loosely connected network of online influencers, thrives on one dangerous lie: that showing vulnerability or emotional honesty makes a man weak. Ironically, this stoic ideal often drives young men to these platforms in search of validation, creating a feedback loop where they are both victims and perpetrators of harmful stereotypes.
At the heart of this problem lies a scam centuries in the making. Figures like Andrew Tate sell a lifestyle and ideology where success is narrowly defined – through wealth and control. A poll reported by Hope Not Hate found that 67% of young people had encountered Tate’s content. The pitch is simple: if you’re not winning by these standards, you’re failing as a man. This mindset traps young men in a patriarchal matrix that not only hurts women but also perpetuates damaging expectations for men themselves.
Today’s influencers repackage these ideals under the guise of modern “self-improvement”. But the reality is darker: they’re peddling shame, not empowerment, and profiting from the very system they claim to challenge.
The stoic mantra of “I’m fine” is both a shield and a trap. While pride in resilience can be positive, an inability to express emotions openly drives men into spaces where emotional distress is weaponized against them. The manosphere preys on this vulnerability, framing emotions as weakness while paradoxically fuelling anger and frustration—deeply emotional responses—to drive engagement.
To dismantle this matrix, men must first acknowledge that not being ‘fine’ is ok and that money and power are not the sole source of value we bring to society and our relationships. Until we as a society are able to rectify our relationship with masculinity, those most vulnerable will continue to have their insecurities exploited.
I started Shout Out UK at 22, because I firmly believe education is the key to breaking the cycle. Our Political and Media Literacy programmes empower young people to critically assess the content they encounter online, fostering emotional resilience against misinformation and divisive narratives such as these.
Media Literacy equips young men with the skills to question the intentions behind content, recognize bias, and resist manipulation. Misogynistic narratives are a symptom of a larger culture of disinformation that targets male insecurity; by teaching young people to navigate these waters critically, we build a foundation for inclusive, respectful attitudes.
Political Literacy, on the other hand, addresses the root causes of alienation. By providing young men with the tools to understand and engage with democracy, we combat the hopelessness and disengagement that drive them toward extreme narratives that line the pockets of the influencers who espouse them.
International Men’s Day offers a chance to redefine masculinity. It’s an opportunity to show young men that their worth isn’t tied to outdated ideals but to their ability to foster strength through empathy, and emotional resilience. Positive role models – men who embrace empathy and reject toxic masculinity – must take centre stage.
This means encouraging men to speak out against misogyny, not as bystanders, but in defence of how we want our gender to contribute to society and our gender’s relationship with society to grow. The fight against misogyny isn’t just about combating harmful influencers – it’s about addressing the systems and structures that make them so appealing.
To further this mission, Shout Out UK will soon be launching a series of online courses designed to combat online extreme misogyny. These courses will be tailored for both educational and corporate settings, providing practical tools to challenge toxic narratives and foster a more inclusive society for all. By investing in education, promoting emotional resilience, we can empower young men to reject the patriarchal matrix and redefine masculinity for future generations.
