Lancet Report Urges UK Government to Regulate Manosphere Like Tobacco
A new study argues that digital masculinity influencers create health harms comparable to smoking, requiring coordinated action from schools and health services.
By Nour Haddad ·
A loose network of digital forums and social media groups has become a focal point for public health debate. A new report published in the Lancet argues that the manosphere should be treated as a public health crisis, similar to the tobacco industry.
The report, authored by Prof Sarah Hawkes and Prof Kent Buse, contends that influencers promote narratives that shift blame from structural economic issues to women and feminism. This dynamic, they argue, creates a commercial ecosystem that profits from the insecurity of boys and young men.
Research cited in the paper indicates that two-thirds of young men watch these masculinity influencers. The content, often tagged as fitness or dating advice, is accused of embedding misogyny, antisemitism, and homophobia. These influencers collectively command millions of followers, with figures like Andrew and Tristan Tate serving as prominent examples despite facing extradition to the UK over rape and sex trafficking charges.
The authors identify specific health harms resulting from this content. For women and girls, the sense of dominance promoted by the videos leads to higher risks of violence, doxxing, and cyberstalking, which can result in PTSD and depression. For boys and young men, the idealized male body and the discouragement of professional help contribute to mental health issues and isolation.
Prof Buse stated that the manosphere cultivates insecurity and then sells the cure. He noted that boys turn to these platforms because they offer belonging and identity that schools, families, and the state have failed to provide. The report suggests that regulation should target online platforms and their algorithms rather than criminalizing the users, mirroring the approach taken with tobacco advertising.
Jake Richards, the Minister for Men and Boys, called the report a wake-up call. He announced that the government is launching a misogyny prevention fund and a national taskforce. Richards emphasized that the issue requires a cross-government response, including improvements in healthcare, education, and employment pathways for young men.
Critics offer mixed views on the approach. Mark Brooks of the Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys supported the public health framing, noting that it moves beyond viewing all men as the problem. However, Alex DiBranco of the Institute for Research on Male Supremacism argued that misogyny is an ideology rather than a mental health issue. She warned that a mental health focus centers men as victims and erases the experience of women, stating that male supremacism is a long-standing societal core rather than a new internet phenomenon.
