Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

Manosphere Is A Public Health Concern: Lancet Report Says Online Misogyny Harms Men's Mental Health

Manosphere Is A Public Health Concern: Lancet Report Says Online Misogyny Fuels Violence Against Women

The <span>manosphere</span> is a network of male-centric online groups, forums and communities that focus on men’s issues, masculinity definition and the changing roles and treatment of men in today’s world. Oftentimes, the content produced in the manosphere leans heavily towards promoting misogyny online, distorting the definitions of feminism and masculinity.

A recent <em><span rel="noindex">Lancet</span></em> report highlights this issue, stating that these online communities that promote misogyny, male victimisation and hostility towards feminism are actually a growing public health problem. The report also suggests that this public health concern should be addressed in the same way as obesity or smoking.

The researchers say that the so-called manosphere not only normalises violence and misogyny towards women but also affects men’s <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/excessive-screen-time-mental-health-expert-urges-parents-to-limit-childrens-screen-time-at-times-health-summit-2026-article-156422376" data-type="tilCustomLink">mental health</a>, fueling issues like social isolation and discouraging them from seeking help.

In the paper, titled <em>Reframing the manosphere: a public health response to a commercial ecosystem</em>, authors Sarah J Hawkes and Kent Buse describe the manosphere as a “diffuse commercial ecosystem and loose collection of online communities united by shared beliefs about masculinity, misogyny, and male victimisation”.

These communities often promote the idea that men are facing masculinity crisis and social isolation and that feminism has systematically disadvantaged and exploited them. The authors argue that these narratives can wrongfully make young men believe that their personal difficulties are due to women, which could direct their frustration towards the opposite gender.

The authors wrote, “Men’s problems are framed [in the manosphere] as the result of feminism rather than structural conditions, and masculine identity is commodified through products and paid content that normalise and reinforce health-harming and performance-oriented masculinities.”

<h2>Manosphere And Men's Mental Health</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/gender-based-violence-surging-global-antimicrobial-resistance-say-experts-article-153845181" data-type="tilCustomLink">Gender-based Violence Surging Global Antimicrobial Resistance, Say Experts</a>

The authors identify several conditions that can make boys and young men vulnerable to <span>manosphere content</span>, including loneliness, educational disengagement, social exclusion, financial insecurity and uncertainty about their future.

Prof Sarah Hawkes, the report’s other author, said, “The manosphere offers boys and young men belonging, identity and an explanation for why life feels hard."

She added, “Those needs are real. A response that only removes the manosphere, without offering something credible in its place, will fail. We need to offer boys something better, not just tell them what to avoid.”

The authors also say that they may also reinforce resentment towards women and promote toxic ideas about masculinity, gender, relationships and success. They also say that these communities can harm men's mental health, contribute to body image concerns and discourage them from seeking professional support.

The authors argue that this business model can exploit insecurity while presenting structural problems as individual failures or the result of feminism. Some influencers promote twisted ideas of masculinity and encourage followers to purchase supplements, hormones and financial products.

Prof Kent Buse, a co-author of the paper and co-founder of the social justice thinktank Global 50/50, explained, “This is a business model, not a fringe. Outrage and grievance are good for business, so the system rewards the most extreme content. Expect the playbook that served tobacco so well: blame the individual, and call regulation an attack on freedom. Public health has a tested toolkit for commercial harms and we should use it.”

<h2><span rel="noindex">Online Misogyny</span> Contributes To Violence Against Women</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/put-up-with-the-pain-uk-report-exposes-gaps-in-womens-reproductive-healthcare-article-151107793" data-type="tilCustomLink">'Put Up with the Pain': UK Report Exposes Gaps in Women's Reproductive Healthcare</a>

The report also examines the consequences of following manosphere for women and girls. The authors warn that the manosphere can normalise misogynistic outlooks, reinforce gender inequality and create an environment in which violence against women and girls is more readily accepted.

The concern is not limited to individual posts or influencers. The researchers describe a commercial network in which content creators can benefit from extreme expressions of gender and hostility.

They compare the strategies used by this online ecosystem with those of industries such as tobacco and ultra-processed food, arguing that both can shift responsibility towards individuals while resisting regulation.

“Outrage and grievance are good for business, so the system rewards the most extreme content,” said co-author Kent Buse.

He added, “Boys and men are not the problem. The problem is the conditions that leave them isolated and without a secure future, and the companies that profit from their anger and insecurity.”

<h2>Just Censoring Harmful Content May Not Be Enough</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/amid-changing-health-laws-in-the-us-would-abortion-become-illegal-article-151407645" data-type="tilCustomLink">Amid Changing Health Laws In The US, Would Abortion Become Illegal?</a>

The authors argue that simply removing misogynistic content or restricting access to certain communities will not address the reasons why young men are drawn to them.

Co-author Sarah Hawkes said, “The manosphere offers boys and young men belonging, identity and an explanation for why life feels hard. Those needs are real. A response that only removes the manosphere, without offering something credible in its place, will fail. We need to offer boys something better, not just tell them what to avoid.”

The report also calls for a coordinated response involving governments, schools, healthcare services and community organisations. This includes improving access to education, skills training and employment opportunities, addressing social isolation and ensuring that boys and young men can access mental health services.

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<h2>Manosphere Is A Public Health Issue</h2>

The researchers identify six priorities for action: addressing the social and economic conditions that make young men vulnerable, improving collaboration between health and education services, developing effective communication strategies, regulating harmful platforms, investing in research and monitoring, and confronting the bigger misogyny and anti-gender equality attitudes that keeps these communities running.

They argue that regulation should focus on the commercial incentives that amplify harmful content, rather than placing the entire responsibility on individuals who consume it.

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The manosphere is a network of male-centric online groups, forums and communities that focus on men’s issues, masculinity definition and the changing roles and treatment of men in today’s world. Oftentimes, the content produced in the manosphere leans heavily towards promoting misogyny online, distorting the definitions of feminism and masculinity. A recent Lancet report highlights this issue, stating that these online communities that promote misogyny, male victimisation and hostility towards feminism are actually a growing public health problem. The report also suggests that this public health concern should be addressed in the same way as obesity or smoking. The researchers say that the so-called manosphere not only normalises violence and misogyny towards women but also affects men’s mental health, fueling issues like social isolation and discouraging them from seeking help.In the paper, titled Reframing the manosphere: a public health response to a commercial ecosystem, authors Sarah J Hawkes and Kent Buse describe the manosphere as a “diffuse commercial ecosystem and loose collection of online communities united by shared beliefs about masculinity, misogyny, and male victimisation”.These communities often promote the idea that men are facing masculinity crisis and social isolation and that feminism has systematically disadvantaged and exploited them. The authors argue that these narratives can wrongfully make young men believe that their personal difficulties are due to women, which could direct their frustration towards the opposite gender.The authors wrote, “Men’s problems are framed [in the manosphere] as the result of feminism rather than structural conditions, and masculine identity is commodified through products and paid content that normalise and reinforce health-harming and performance-oriented masculinities.”Manosphere And Men's Mental HealthAlso read: Gender-based Violence Surging Global Antimicrobial Resistance, Say ExpertsThe authors identify several conditions that can make boys and young men vulnerable to manosphere content, including loneliness, educational disengagement, social exclusion, financial insecurity and uncertainty about their future.Prof Sarah Hawkes, the report’s other author, said, “The manosphere offers boys and young men belonging, identity and an explanation for why life feels hard."She added, “Those needs are real. A response that only removes the manosphere, without offering something credible in its place, will fail. We need to offer boys something better, not just tell them what to avoid.”The authors also say that they may also reinforce resentment towards women and promote toxic ideas about masculinity, gender, relationships and success. They also say that these communities can harm men's mental health, contribute to body image concerns and discourage them from seeking professional support.The authors argue that this business model can exploit insecurity while presenting structural problems as individual failures or the result of feminism. Some influencers promote twisted ideas of masculinity and encourage followers to purchase supplements, hormones and financial products.Prof Kent Buse, a co-author of the paper and co-founder of the social justice thinktank Global 50/50, explained, “This is a business model, not a fringe. Outrage and grievance are good for business, so the system rewards the most extreme content. Expect the playbook that served tobacco so well: blame the individual, and call regulation an attack on freedom. Public health has a tested toolkit for commercial harms and we should use it.”Online Misogyny Contributes To Violence Against WomenAlso read: 'Put Up with the Pain': UK Report Exposes Gaps in Women's Reproductive HealthcareThe report also examines the consequences of following manosphere for women and girls. The authors warn that the manosphere can normalise misogynistic outlooks, reinforce gender inequality and create an environment in which violence against women and girls is more readily accepted.The concern is not limited to individual posts or influencers. The researchers describe a commercial network in which content creators can benefit from extreme expressions of gender and hostility.They compare the strategies used by this online ecosystem with those of industries such as tobacco and ultra-processed food, arguing that both can shift responsibility towards individuals while resisting regulation.“Outrage and grievance are good for business, so the system rewards the most extreme content,” said co-author Kent Buse.He added, “Boys and men are not the problem. The problem is the conditions that leave them isolated and without a secure future, and the companies that profit from their anger and insecurity.”Just Censoring Harmful Content May Not Be EnoughAlso read: Amid Changing Health Laws In The US, Would Abortion Become Illegal?The authors argue that simply removing misogynistic content or restricting access to certain communities will not address the reasons why young men are drawn to them.Co-author Sarah Hawkes said, “The manosphere offers boys and young men belonging, identity and an explanation for why life feels hard. Those needs are real. A response that only removes the manosphere, without offering something credible in its place, will fail. We need to offer boys something better, not just tell them what to avoid.”The report also calls for a coordinated response involving governments, schools, healthcare services and community organisations. This includes improving access to education, skills training and employment opportunities, addressing social isolation and ensuring that boys and young men can access mental health services.            Manosphere Is A Public Health IssueThe researchers identify six priorities for action: addressing the social and economic conditions that make young men vulnerable, improving collaboration between health and education services, developing effective communication strategies, regulating harmful platforms, investing in research and monitoring, and confronting the bigger misogyny and anti-gender equality attitudes that keeps these communities running.They argue that regulation should focus on the commercial incentives that amplify harmful content, rather than placing the entire responsibility on individuals who consume it.