25 Mar What Parents Should Know About the ‘Manosphere’ – and Why Talking to Boys Matters
Online spaces promoting extreme ideas about masculinity are reaching more teenage boys. As the Netflix documentary Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere sparks debate, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner says open conversations at home are key.
What is the “manosphere”?
Parents may have heard the term recently thanks to the Netflix documentary Inside the Manosphere featuring Louis Theroux.
The “manosphere” refers to a network of online forums, influencers and communities that promote particular — and often extreme — ideas about masculinity.
According to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, these spaces often promise young men a simple formula for success: becoming more powerful, wealthy, sexually successful or dominant.
For teenagers already navigating the insecurities of adolescence, that message can be particularly appealing.
But alongside lifestyle advice or self-improvement tips, some influencers promote harmful stereotypes — including the idea that women are manipulative or inferior, or that boys must suppress emotions to be considered a “real man”.
For young people struggling with self-esteem or mental health, those messages can be especially damaging.
Why some influencers attract teenage boys
Part of the appeal is that the messaging feels confident and certain.
These influencers often present themselves as offering clear rules for success, something many teenagers crave when life feels confusing.
However, eSafety warns that some creators also financially benefit from controversy, using outrage and sensational claims to attract followers, generate advertising revenue, and drive product sales.
Algorithms on major platforms can amplify this effect, pushing increasingly extreme content to viewers once they engage with similar material.
Helping boys understand how this online ecosystem works — including how influencers profit from attention — can make a big difference.
Why parents’ voices still matter
Despite the noise online, parents and carers remain hugely influential.
Research from eSafety shows children are far more likely to speak up about troubling online experiences when parents maintain regular, open conversations about the digital world.
In fact, 95% of children whose parents encourage open discussions about online safety say they would talk to them if something online made them uncomfortable or upset.
Parents don’t need to understand every meme, acronym or trend. What matters more is showing interest and keeping the lines of communication open.
Simple ways parents can help boys navigate online influences
The eSafety Commissioner suggests a few practical strategies:
Ask open questions
Rather than shutting down conversations, invite discussion about what your child is seeing online.
Take an interest in their digital world
Knowing which platforms and creators your child follows can help you understand the messages they’re hearing.
Encourage critical thinking
Talk about how algorithms, advertising and influencer culture work.
Start conversations about respectful relationships early
Discuss empathy, respect and equality well before teenagers encounter extreme online views.
Highlight positive role models
Sports coaches, teachers, family members and community leaders can provide healthier examples of masculinity.
Normalise talking about emotions
Reassure boys that seeking help or discussing mental health is a sign of strength, not weakness.
The goal isn’t panic — it’s connection
Experts say the most effective response isn’t fear or strict monitoring.
Instead, it’s helping boys develop confidence, empathy and the ability to question what they see online.
When young people feel supported and heard at home, they are far more likely to challenge harmful ideas and seek healthier ways of understanding themselves and others.
To further support families, eSafety is hosting a series of webinars to help parents and carers navigate these issues and better support the boys and young men in their lives. Register for the eSafety parent and carer webinars.
Parent Takeaway: How to Talk to Boys About Online Influencers
If your child mentions a controversial influencer or video, try not to react with shock or anger. Shutting the conversation down can make teenagers less likely to talk next time.
Instead try:
Ask curiosity-led questions
“What do you think about what he said?” or “Why do you think people like his videos?” can open a conversation without judgment.
Talk about how influencers make money
Many online personalities profit from outrage, controversy, or product sales. Helping boys understand this can make extreme messaging easier to question.
Discuss what healthy masculinity looks like
Strength can include empathy, respect, kindness and asking for help when needed.
Keep the conversation going
One chat won’t solve everything. Small, regular conversations help boys build the confidence to question what they see online.
Further Information: The resource, The Manosphere: Impacts for Young People, Teachers and Schools, is written for educators responding directly to the manosphere’s influence in their schools and provides an overview of the harmful impacts of the manosphere on young people, teachers, and school communities. The resource includes an introduction to key beliefs, links to violence, and recruitment pathways for boys and young men; insights into the role of social media; and practical information to support teachers. The guide forms part of the Supporting Schools project.
For more support, families can visit esafety.gov.au or check out Triple P’s free Triple P Online: Children and Screens program.
