What does online misogyny and the ‘manosphere’ really look like for young people?
A new report from HOPE not hate looks at how young people can be drawn into increasingly extreme online content, and crucially, how this process is gendered. That means that young people are receiving very different content based on their gender, and that misogynistic “engagement bait” content is used as a pathway towards the far-right.
Radicalisation doesn’t start with extremism, and it’s so important that we start challenging harmful content earlier.
What is the “radicalisation funnel”?
HOPE not hate analysed more than 11,000 interactions across Instagram, TikTok and X, finding evidence of a gradual process that can draw young people towards increasingly extreme content. They describe this as a “radicalisation funnel”.
The first stage, the “Hook”, is designed to get someone to engage. It might be a question, a joke or something deliberately provocative.
Then comes the “Mask”: harmful ideas are presented through humour, irony, lifestyle content or an appealing online community.
Finally comes the “Pivot”, where those ideas become more explicitly ideological.
The important thing is that young people aren't necessarily being presented with obviously extremist content at the start. The report found that seemingly harmless content can build trust before introducing increasingly extreme ideas.
What is online misogyny?
Sexist and misogynistic attitudes show up everywhere in the content HOPE not Hate analysed, and girls are also a target as the report explains:
“Targeting young women: The ‘tradwife’ gateway on Instagram and TikTok This pathway is all about relatability. It uses shared experiences and a sense of community to build trust before introducing the hardline ideology. It’s a mask of positivity and domestic bliss. On Instagram, it starts with heavily stylised, calming accounts that push “traditional values” as a form of wellness. A comment like “If only more women existed like you. Are there any out there?!?” acts as a hook, forcing interaction while keeping things friendly. Over time, the message hardens. An account on TikTok like sub_tradwife makes the pivot clear: “Teach your daughter to obey your husband... she doesn’t need a career.” What started as a personal choice has become an order.” ~ HOPE not Hate Digital Trapdoors report
Girls are more likely to encounter body image pressure, self-harm and eating disorder content, influencer-driven lifestyle pressure, sexualised content and exploitation risks.
Young men are targeted by masculinity content that teaches that being a “real man” means dominance, sexual success or control, and that feminism and women are to blame for feelings of loneliness or uncertainty.
These ideas might be harder to recognise as radicalisation, but they contribute to a culture where gender inequality and unequal power in relationships can become normal. Young people might encounter content that tells them women are less intelligent, that girls “owe” boys attention, that sexual harassment is just banter, or that respecting boundaries makes someone weak.
Misogyny doesn't have to look extreme to cause harm. Sexual violence prevention means challenging these attitutes early.
What’s in the RSHE curriculum about online content?
The updated RSHE guidance, which becomes statutory in England from September 2026, says that:
“Pupils may be exposed to online content which normalises harmful or violent sexual behaviours, which might include sexist and misogynistic influencers who normalise sexual harassment and abuse. Teachers should encourage pupils to consider how this content may be harmful to both men and women, while avoiding stigmatising or perpetuating harmful stereotypes about boys.”
It is important that teachers have knowledge of misogynistic content that exists online and feel confident talking about it with students. There should be space to talk about how social media and the online world can be a force for good as well as promoting harmful ideas. Students should be empowered with critical thinking to engage safely with the online world, and to recognise misogyny wherever they see it; whether in fringe online content or in mainstream media.
Our Digital Harms and the Online World workshop helps young people understand the online harms they are encountering, including misogyny, image-based abuse, sexualised content, peer pressure and harmful gender norms.
