Researchers have warned that the online 'manosphere' should be treated as a public health issue, drawing parallels between its influence on boys and men and the tactics used by the tobacco industry.

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In a report published in The Lancet on Friday, researchers examined how online communities promoting particular ideas about masculinity, misogyny and male victimisation could affect men's mental health and contribute to violence against women.

What is the manosphere?

The term 'manosphere' refers to a network of online communities that share beliefs about masculinity, misogyny and the idea that men are being victimised or disadvantaged.

These communities often blame feminism for what they describe as a crisis of masculinity and argue that men have lost power or status in society.

According to the report, such narratives can have wider consequences. They can affect how boys and men view themselves, women and gender equality. The movement can also discourage men and boys from seeking help by portraying vulnerability or asking for support as signs of weakness.

Why should the manosphere be treated as a public health issue?

Researchers argue that the influence of the manosphere goes beyond online discussions or content moderation. Its impact can extend to mental health, social relationships and violence against women.

The report calls attention to the way these online spaces can deepen isolation and insecurity among boys and men, while discouraging them from accessing support.

Sarah J Hawkes, a professor of global public health at University College London and one of the report's authors, said treating the manosphere as a public health issue could open up wider policy options beyond regulation of online platforms.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, she called for a coordinated government response, including better access to employment opportunities, skills training and mental health services.

The comparison with the tobacco industry

The researchers also compared the strategies used by parts of the manosphere with those historically employed by the tobacco industry.

Co-author Kent Buse, a health policy professor at Monash University Malaysia, said online platforms used a similar approach by blaming individuals and presenting regulation as an attack on freedom.

The report also highlights the commercial interests behind some of this content. Hawkes pointed out that individuals and businesses make money by promoting such messaging, including through financial schemes and the sale of unregulated supplements and hormones.

Buse said boys and men should not be viewed as the problem. Instead, he pointed to the social and economic conditions that leave them isolated and uncertain about their future, as well as companies that profit from their anger and insecurity.

The researchers are calling for a broader public health response that addresses the conditions driving the movement, supports boys and men seeking help, and examines the commercial interests benefiting from these online communities.

With AFP iNPUTS