Talking About Online Misogyny and Harmful Ideas About Masculinity

Young people may come across online content that shapes how they think about relationships, gender, and identity. This guide offers practical ways to talk about these influences, helping your child build respect, critical thinking, and a strong sense of self.

Some online spaces promote narrow or harmful ideas about what it means to be a man. Talking about it can help your child question what they see, develop respectful relationships, and build confidence in who they are.

What to know

Young people are exposed to a wide range of ideas about gender, relationships, and identity online. Most content is harmless or neutral, but some spaces promote harmful or one-sided views about masculinity and women.

Online misogyny is content that shows hostility or disrespect towards women, or reinforces negative stereotypes. It may not always be obvious, and can sometimes be mixed with messages that feel positive or motivating. This can include content that blames or stereotypes women, promotes anger or resentment, presents narrow ideas about what it means to be a man or discourages empathy or respectful relationships.

Some of this content is often referred to as the “manosphere” - a loose collection of online communities, influencers, and content focused on masculinity, dating, and gender roles. Not all content in these spaces is extreme, but some messages can:

become more intense over time
reinforce each other through repetition
influence how young people think about themselves and others

Your child may come across this type of content accidentally, through algorithms and recommendations, videos, posts, or comments, through influencers or creators or in online communities or discussions, or through peers and shared content.

What helps most is supporting your child to build skills to question what they see, recognise bias and influence, understand healthy relationships and develop a strong sense of identity and values. Strong relationships, open conversations, and positive role models are key protective factors.

Top tips for talking about it

Start with curiosity about what they’re seeing

Conversations about gender, relationships, and masculinity can feel sensitive, especially for young people who may be exploring these ideas online. Starting with curiosity helps you understand what your child is exposed to, without making them feel judged or shut down.

You might say:

“What kind of content do you see about relationships or dating online?”
“Are there people online who talk about what it means to be a guy?”
“What do people your age think about that kind of content?”

Understanding what your child is seeing online helps you guide them without pushing them away.

Acknowledge why this content can be appealing

Some online content about masculinity or relationships can be engaging because it feels confident or certain, offers simple answers to complex feelings or speaks to identity, belonging, or frustration. For some young people this content can feel empowering, relatable and like it’s giving them a clear role or direction, and acknowledging this helps you connect, rather than dismiss it.

You might say:

“I can see why that kind of content might be interesting.”
“It can be appealing when someone sounds really confident about something.”
“What do you think people like about that message?”

Understanding the appeal helps you have more meaningful conversations without shutting your child down.

Talk about respect, relationships and values

Online messages about masculinity don’t always reflect healthy or respectful relationships. Some content may stereotype or blame women, promote dominance or control, or present relationships in unrealistic or unhealthy ways. Grounding conversations in your family values helps provide a clearer reference point.

You might say:

“What do you think respect looks like in a relationship?”
“How do you think people should treat each other?”
“Does that message line up with your values?”

Clear conversations about respect and values help young people navigate confusing or harmful messages.

Help them question and think critically

Rather than telling your child what to think, support them to question what they’re seeing; this builds critical thinking skills they can use across all online content.

You might say:

“What do you think that person might be trying to achieve?”
“Do you think that message is realistic for everyone?”
“Who might be left out or affected by that way of thinking?”

Critical thinking helps young people recognise bias, influence, and one-sided messages.

Talk about influence, algorithms and repetition

Content about masculinity and relationships can be repeated and reinforced through algorithms. This means your child might see similar messages again and again, feel like “everyone thinks this way” or be drawn further into certain viewpoints. Helping them understand this reduces the impact.

You might say:

“Sometimes the more you watch something, the more you see it.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s the only perspective.”
“How could you find different viewpoints?”

Understanding how content is amplified helps young people keep perspective and avoid narrow thinking.

Keep the conversation connected to identity and belonging

For many young people online spaces are part of figuring out who they are, how they fit in and what it means to be “a man”. Some harmful content taps into insecurity, rejection or confusion about identity, and keeping the focus on belonging helps shift the conversation.

You might say:

“What kind of person do you want to be?”
“What makes you feel confident or respected?”
“Who do you look up to and why?”

Supporting a positive sense of identity helps young people resist harmful or limiting ideas.

Let them know they can talk to you about anything they see

If your child comes across content that confuses or influences them, they may not know how to talk about it. Creating a safe space for discussion is key.

You might say:

“You can always talk to me about things you see online.”
“You won’t be judged for asking questions.”
“I’m interested in hearing what you think.”

Open, judgement-free conversations help your child explore ideas safely and thoughtfully.

Bonus Conversation Starters

These questions don’t need to be asked all at once. One small conversation at a time can help build trust and emotional awareness over time.

“What kind of messages do you see about being a guy online?”
“What do people your age think about relationships?”
“Who do you think gives good advice online and why?”
“What does respect look like in a relationship?”
“Do you think social media shows a realistic version of relationships?”
“Why do you think some content gets so much attention?”
“What kind of person do you want to be?”
“Who do you look up to online?”
“Do you think all perspectives are represented fairly?”
“What would you say to a friend who was influenced by that content?”

If you're concerned...

If your child comes across content that feels uncomfortable, confusing, or extreme, it’s important they feel able to step back and talk about it.

Encourage them to:

pause and reflect
question what they’re seeing
look for different perspectives
talk to someone they trust

You might say:

“It’s okay to question things you see online.”
“You don’t have to agree with everything you come across.”
“We can always talk things through together.”

You don’t need to have all the answers about masculinity or online content. Staying curious, open, and connected helps your child build the confidence to think critically, form their own values, and develop respectful relationships.