The Manosphere is in Your Son’s Feed. Here’s How to Talk About It

From The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens · 34:44

Show by Dr. Annalise Caron & Dr. Suzanne Allen

A mom overhears a voice on her son's gaming stream telling a woman to "mute your mic and go make a sandwich." Her son laughs and says, "It's just a joke." Is she overreacting?In this episode of The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens, Dr. Suzanne Allen and Dr. Annalise Caron respond to that listener question and explore how misogynistic content and the manosphere show up in teen boys' feeds, why algorithms can serve it up even when boys aren't looking for it, and how parents can talk about it without shutting the conversation down.The manosphere is a loose network of online communities and influencers that promote anti-women, anti-feminist messages, often wrapped in advice about fitness, dating, or making money.Should you be worried? Yes and no. One joke doesn't tell you what your son believes. But a steady drip of "harmless" content can shape how boys see women and other groups over time, and how you respond affects whether he keeps telling you what he sees.In this episode, we discuss:How algorithms can push anti-women content to boys based on age and gender, often starting from searches like gym workouts or dating adviceWhy teasing and roasting can be a normal way for boys to feel close, and where it can go too farWhy many teens don't tell parents what they see online, and how to make it safer for them to speak upWhy managing your own reaction matters, and how to lead with curiosity, not confrontationThe N.O.I.S.E. check: five questions that help teens spot harmful online messagesHow to listen for the insecurity or fear of rejection underneath statements like "girls only date rich guys"How these messages undermine boys tooWhy real-world relationships, positive role models, and community are the best counterweightResources mentioned:Ignore the Noise. Trust Your Own Voice – Mayor of London: A campaign developed in partnership with Beyond Equality to help young men and boys recognize harmful online messages and build a healthier understanding of masculinity.Talking to Young Men and Boys About the Manosphere – Parent Conversation Guide: Practical guidance for parents, carers, educators, and other trusted adults on starting supportive conversations about online content and the manosphere.The N.O.I.S.E. Check: A conversation tool that helps young people think critically about online content by asking whether it is Negative, Oppositional, makes them feel Insecure, offers Simplistic answers, and who is Earning from it.ABC News – Teenagers Who Disengage With Manosphere Still Fed Misogynistic Content Online: The Australian investigation discussed in the episode, examining how social media algorithms can continue recommending misogynistic content to teenage boys.The Parenting Pair: Should You Let Your Teen Drink at Home? What the Research SaysA note for parents: You don't need one big, perfect conversation. Often the most useful ones happen in small moments, like a comment you overhear or a question asked during a car ride. Stay curious about what your teen thinks before jumping in with a reaction, and make sure he knows he can come to you even when something is hard to talk about.If you found this helpful, share it with another parent, and follow The Parenting Pair in your podcast app. If you have a minute, a rating or review helps other parents find us (and we read evey one!).Disclaimer: The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens is designed for informational and educational purposes only. The information presented is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your or a family member's well-being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.

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