Researchers have identified fan communities as one of the paths to the manosphere
Researchers from Australia and Ireland have stated that young men are increasingly exposed to “manosphere” content through materials on self-improvement, sports, video games, and fan communities. A team from Queensland University of Technology, Deakin University, and Dublin City University surveyed more than 50 men in Australia and Ireland who had spent time in such online communities, according to ABC News Australia.
Professor Michael Flad, a member of the research team, noted that the manosphere is no longer a narrow niche that requires a targeted search. According to him, users may come across related content while searching for advice on fitness, finances, or relationships. Such content includes advice on being an “alpha male,” getting rich quick, and pseudoscientific claims about the alleged inferiority of women.
Study participants reported that forums and videos dedicated to Doctor Who, Star Wars, Minecraft, World of Warcraft, science fiction, soccer, and atheist content served as gateways to these communities. One participant encountered toxic discussions on Doctor Who fan forums after criticizing the decision to cast Jodie Whittaker in the lead role. Another participant, who was looking for Star Wars reviews, told the researchers that some of the related content was created by individuals he described as right-wing activists linked to the manosphere.
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Some participants described their experience in misogynistic online spaces as a competition to post increasingly offensive messages. Others said that due to the constant stream of such content, they gradually lost their sensitivity to its aggressive rhetoric.
Flynn Martin, an Australian, said that at age 20, following isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and a period of uncertainty about the future, social media algorithms began mass-recommending manosphere content to him. In 2022, he posted a provocative video containing misogynistic remarks, which went viral. Following public criticism and a mental health episode, he took a break from social media. Martin reported that he was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and that treatment helped him; he now says he has reconsidered his previous statements and is creating content to warn other young men about the manosphere.
Carolyn Robinson, founder of the charity Beyond DV, stated that the rhetoric of the manosphere can undermine efforts to prevent domestic violence. She emphasized that not all gender inequality leads to violence, but domestic and family violence stems from gender inequality.
