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Narrative Matters: Adolescence in The Manosphere - A perfect storm?
Jane Gilmour1,2
1The UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
|July 14, 2025
Summary
The Netflix drama "Adolescence" highlighted dangers of the manosphere for teen boys. Understanding the teenage brain is key for professionals to address harmful online content and toxic masculinity.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Media Studies
Background:
- The Netflix drama 'Adolescence' popularized discussions on the manosphere, a misogynistic online community.
- Concerns exist regarding the potential negative influence of such online spaces on adolescent males.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore parallels between manosphere communities and other extremist groups.
- To understand the appeal of the manosphere to teenage boys.
- To emphasize the importance of a developmental context in addressing this issue.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of online communities.
- Developmental psychology framework application.
- Review of media influence on adolescents.
Main Results:
- Identified similarities between toxic masculinity communities and extremist ideologies.
- Explored psychological and social factors contributing to adolescent male attraction to the manosphere.
- Highlighted the critical role of adolescent brain development in understanding engagement with such content.
Conclusions:
- A developmental perspective is essential for professionals to effectively guide young people exposed to the manosphere.
- Understanding the unique characteristics of the teenage brain provides a framework for intervention and support.
- Addressing the manosphere's influence requires a nuanced approach considering both online dynamics and adolescent psychology.
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