Should the manosphere be treated as a public health emergency like smoking or obesity?

Experts are increasingly alarmed at the rise of online communities stoking hatred of women and gender equality among young men and teenagers. 

Writing in the Lancet medical journal, the authors of a new report into the phenomenon called for the manosphere to be tackled in a similar way to how society has tackled tobacco. 

“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,” the report concluded. 

On Lunchtime Live, Male Ally UK CEO Lee Chambers said he agrees the manosphere should be treated as a public health threat. 

“I think it's helpful that we see the health implications of this type of content,” he argued. 

“But more so the reasons why young people would engage in it and what their needs are and what we see when other kind of societal challenges have been framed as a public health consideration.” 

Mr Chambers added that social media companies especially need to get involved. 

“I think on a bigger note, it's more looking at the algorithms that feed manosphere, the platforms that allow that content to harm young boys and men and the impact that can have on women and girls as well,” he said, 

“I think it allows us to take a step back and actually think how schools, health services, families, communities, Government can actually all play a role in supporting young people so this content becomes less attractive.”

Main image: An angry man. Picture by: Alamy.com.