London: Online ‘manosphere’ communities should be treated as a public health concern, similar to the tobacco and ultra-processed food industries, according to a new report published in The Lancet. Researchers warn that digital platforms and content creators are profiting from young men’s insecurities while promoting harmful attitudes towards women and masculinity.
The report examines online communities built around claims that men are facing a masculinity crisis and that feminism has systematically disadvantaged men. According to the authors, such content can contribute to violence against women and girls, mental health problems and discourage boys and men from seeking professional support.
Professor Kent Buse argued that online platforms operate through a business model that rewards extreme content by generating outrage and grievance. The report compares these practices with strategies used by the tobacco and processed food industries, where responsibility is shifted towards individual consumers rather than the companies promoting potentially harmful products.
Professor Sarah Hawkes, a co-author and co-founder of the Global 50/50 social justice think tank, said the manosphere offers young men a sense of belonging, identity and explanations for personal difficulties. However, efforts to address the issue must provide positive alternatives rather than simply removing harmful online material.
The researchers called for coordinated action involving governments, schools, healthcare providers and community organisations. Recommended measures include tackling social isolation, improving employment and skills opportunities, encouraging boys to remain engaged in education and expanding access to mental health services.
The report also cautioned against portraying masculinity as inherently harmful or treating boys and men as the problem. Instead, researchers argued that addressing underlying social and economic conditions is essential to reducing the influence of harmful online communities.
ALSO READ | South Korea considers maritime patrol aircraft for Hormuz mission
