With more than 5.5 billion people connected online – almost all active on social networks – digital platforms have become central to the way people interact, United Nations Strengths.
However, they are also armed to spread misogyny and hatred. Once confined to the Internet forums Fringe, the Manosphere now reaches school lessons, workplaces and sometimes upsets intimate personal relationships.
“We note an increasing trend of young men and boys who seek to influence advice on questions such as dating, physical form and paternity,” said Kalliopi Mingerou, head of the end of women of violence against women and girls of the UN.
In search of answers to feel more security towards themselves, these boys encounter a “force” in online communities which also promote harmful attitudes which distort the masculinity and misogyny of fuel.
Boys are looking for “online validation”
“These spaces really benefit from these insecurity and a need for validation … Very often messages in circulation which are very disdainful of the positions of women and girls in society and which are often very misogynist, depicting a very bad image of the rights of women’s rights, for example,” said Mingeirou. UN News.
According to the Movember Foundation, a leading male health organization and partner of UN women, two thirds of young men regularly engage with influencers of online masculinity.
Although some content provides real support, a large part promotes extreme language and a sexist ideology, strengthening the idea that men are victims of feminism and modern social change.
Most recent Report of the UN Secretary General on violence against women and girls Note that groups within the Manosphere are united in their rejection of feminism and their representation of women as manipulative or dangerous.
These stories are increasingly amplified by social media algorithms which reward provocative and polarizing content.
Misogynum contents harm girls and boys
Stressing that anonymity facilitates the amplification of sexist and hatred discourse on platforms, Mrs. Mingeirou told us that the abuse damages not only their mental and physical well-being, but also presents “a serious risk of democracy in general”.
“Women and girls feel less comfortable to be exposed to risks and threats when they get involved in digital platforms – and we often see women journalists, politicians who tend to commit, because they are afraid of the impact that it has on them.”
A underlying that stereotypes create anxiety and harm boys and men, Mingeirou has added that safe spaces must be created, so that everyone can look for advice without being subjected to harmful content.
A threat beyond the internet
The toxic Manosphere stories are no longer limited to obscure online spaces. Their influence infiltrates a wider culture and policy, trivializing gender -based violence and strengthening discriminatory stereotypes.
In extreme cases, these ideologies intersect with other forms of radicalization, including racism, homophobia and authoritarianism. Online misogyny quickly becomes offline of misogyny.
“We have increasing evidence that in some of the community mass fire or extreme incidents against the community, the authors were often strongly engaged in such misogynous online platforms, transmitting messages connecting with wider ideologies that put us in danger,” said Mingeirou.
These communities do not all speak of one voice, but they are united to portray feminism as dangerous, women as manipulators and men as victims of social change. Their ideas are gaining ground, especially in boys and young men, amplified by algorithms that prioritize sensational and extreme content. Manosphere stories are no longer limited to internet niche corners. They shape how people think, how they vote and how they treat others.
With more than 5.5 billion people connected online, digital platforms have become central to the way people interact.
A rights based on rights
While the world marks the 30th anniversary of Beijing declaration and platform for actionUN women warn that the rise of online misogyny is a direct threat to progress made towards gender equality.
In response, the agency increases efforts to counter toxic digital environments. Their several component approach includes:
- Data research and collection On the spread and impact of hatred online.
- Political advocacy for digital safety and regulations.
- Support for survivors online abuse.
- Public education campaigns Deterpate toxic masculinity.
- Programming focused on young people aimed at strengthening digital resilience and promoting gender equality.
- Call on the media To play a more active role in solving this problem.
Education as prevention
In the end, education is one of the most effective tools to dismantle the foundation of misogynistic ideology. Talking to children and adolescents about gender equality, healthy relationships and digital citizenship is crucial to prevent harmful attitudes from taking root.
“It’s not just about protecting girls,” said Mingeirou. “It’s about creating a world where boys and girls can freely grow toxic pressure from harmful gender expectations.”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
