As online spaces continue to shape the attitudes, behaviours and identities of young people, SWGfL has launched a new resource designed to support schools in understanding and responding to behaviours associated with the manosphere.
Understanding the Manosphere
The manosphere refers to a broad collection of online communities focused on men’s issues, often spanning content from self-improvement through to more harmful ideologies. While some of this content may appear benign, misogynistic, homophobic and racist views can proliferate within these spaces, particularly in more insular communities.
For schools and safeguarding professionals, this presents a significant challenge. Harmful narratives are often embedded within humour, lifestyle advice or “self-help” messaging, making them difficult to identify and challenge early on.
At the same time, the wider online environment can continue to expose young people to increasing levels of harmful content, with children and young people disproportionately affected by narratives posed by groups such as the Manosphere.
Supporting Schools with Navigating the Manosphere
The new resource, Manosphere: Understanding and Challenging Harmful Online Behaviours provides practical guidance for educators navigating this evolving landscape.
Young people’s understanding of issues like misogyny, online influence and harmful behaviour is often incomplete or based on misconceptions. This can create safeguarding concerns as pupils may encounter harmful content but lack the critical thinking skills to challenge it.
The manosphere is particularly concerning for young people because it can:
- Normalise harmful gender stereotypes and misogyny
- Reinforce echo chambers that attack those who challenge or debate their ideas
- Appeal to vulnerable young people seeking identity, friendships or answers
- Gradually shift attitudes through repeated exposure
How Can it Help?
This new resource has been developed specifically for schools, offering clear, actionable support to help staff respond confidently and effectively.
It supports education settings to:
- Recognise the signs of manosphere influence and harmful online behaviours
- Understand the motivations and vulnerabilities that may draw young people towards this content
- Challenge harmful narratives in a safe, constructive and age-appropriate way
- Embed critical thinking and respectful behaviours across the curriculum
Crucially, the resource aligns awareness within wider safeguarding responsibilities, reinforcing that online harms are not isolated issues, but part of a broader context that should be covered across media literacy.
This new resource addresses one of the more complex and often misunderstood online areas, ensuring that schools are not only aware of the risks, but empowered to respond. Schools and professionals can access the full resource here:
