Radicalisation of Young Men: How Incel Culture and Pornography Fuel Misogyny
Jen Hoey 
With all the hype about the Netflix documentary 'Adolescence', I thought I'd write a blog using recent research.
In Australia and other Western nations, growing concern surrounds the rise of extremist misogynistic ideologies among teenage boys, some as young as 12. Experts have warned that social media algorithms and online subcultures are increasingly exposing boys to content that objectifies women and normalises hatred, often under the guise of humour or masculinity. This article examines how incel culture and pornography shape young men’s perceptions of women while offering practical advice for parents.
Understanding Misogynistic radicalisation
The term "incel" (involuntary celibate) typically refers to young men who feel unjustly denied sex or romantic relationships. This belief can develop into a worldview rooted in resentment, entitlement, and hatred towards women. Online incel communities often dehumanise women, reinforce victimhood, and glorify retribution.
Wescott et al. (2024) identified a resurgence of male supremacy and hegemonic masculinity in Australian schools, partly driven by the influence of figures such as Andrew Tate. Their research revealed three disturbing trends: the strategic use of Tate's ideology to provoke classroom disruptions, the enactment of male supremacy in peer interactions, and the ongoing sexual harassment of female teachers and students. Tate’s messaging promotes the idea of male victimhood and inherent female inferiority and links masculinity with wealth and dominance.
Teachers have observed a marked increase in problematic male behaviour over the past two years—more overt, targeted, and aggressive. Although some schools have attempted to address the issue, current interventions (e.g., isolated talks or warning letters) have proven largely ineffective. Wescott et al. (2024) advocate for more open dialogue, school-wide strategies, and sustained leadership involvement to address the influence of the manosphere and its impact on boys’ identities and relationships.
Algorithmic Amplification of Harmful Content
Research by Reset-Tech Australia (2022) found that YouTube Shorts frequently pushes extreme content to male-identified users, including underage accounts. The material often includes videos from alt-right and misogynistic influencers, which promote distorted notions of masculinity and dehumanising views of women. Such content can act as a gateway to radical ideologies and has, in some cases, been linked to real-world violence.
Baker et al. (2024) conducted a similar study by creating fake TikTok and YouTube Shorts profiles for 16- and 18-year-old boys. Misogynistic manosphere content even exposed accounts that solely searched for general masculine interests, such as sports and gaming. These findings suggest that platform algorithms actively promote harmful material among boys, regardless of their search behaviour.
The broader manosphere encompasses various groups—including incels, pick-up artists, ‘men going their own way’ (MGTOW), and red/black pill communities—all of which promote toxic and gendered narratives. These ideologies frame women as inferior and celebrate male dominance, seduction, manipulation, and withdrawal from relationships with women. Black pill beliefs represent the most extreme end, characterised by fatalism and nihilism about gender dynamics (Over et al., 2025).
In their study, Over et al. (2025) reported widespread concern among teachers regarding the influence of online misogynists on male students. Seventy-six percent of secondary school educators cited students engaging in sexist remarks, discriminatory behaviour, and even harassment towards female peers and staff. Teachers also noted the negative impact on girls' mental health, well-being, and participation in school.
The Influence of Pornography
Pornography also plays a significant role in shaping boys’ attitudes towards women. Many boys encounter porn long before they receive any formal education on sex or consent. A study by Bridges et al. (2024) involving over 1,300 participants found a strong correlation between frequent pornography use and increased sexual objectification of others, particularly in men who consumed degrading content.
A multinational study by Willis et al. (2022) confirmed this pattern across countries, including Germany, Korea, Taiwan, and the United States. The more frequently individuals consumed pornography, the more likely they were to engage in objectifying behaviours.
Research consistently links pornography use—especially violent or degrading content—with increased sexism, rape myth acceptance, aggression, and dominance during sex. Popular pornographic content often depicts women as submissive objects or targets of male aggression, reinforcing gender stereotypes and reducing empathy. Sexualized media, in general, fosters unrealistic beliefs about gender, encouraging individuals to equate worth with physical appearance (Bridges et al. 2024).
Warning Signs for Parents
Parents should remain vigilant for the following behavioural changes, which may indicate exposure to misogynistic ideologies:
- Increased social isolation and excessive time online
- Resentment towards girls or feminism
- Use of manosphere-specific language (e.g., "alpha," "beta," "red pill")
- Sexist jokes or comments
- Noticeable mood changes or drop in school performance
While some of these behaviours may seem minor in isolation, they could together signal deeper ideological influence. Early intervention is essential.
What Parents Can Do
1. Keep Communication Open
Create a safe, non-judgemental space for conversation. Ask questions like, "What do you think about what he said?" to encourage reflection.
2. Teach Media Literacy
Help your son understand how online platforms work. Algorithms often promote extreme content to boost engagement. Encourage critical thinking and exposure to diverse viewpoints.
3. Address Pornography Directly
Discuss the unrealistic and harmful portrayals in porn. Emphasise consent, mutual respect, and emotional intimacy in relationships.
4. Model Respectful Relationships
Demonstrate respect and equality in everyday interactions. Highlight positive male role models who reject toxic masculinity.
5. Encourage Positive Communities
Support involvement in teams, hobbies, or community groups that foster empathy and collaboration.
6. Set Boundaries and Values
Clearly articulate your family’s values around gender equality. Set reasonable digital boundaries with shared decision-making.
The radicalisation of young men through incel culture, misogynistic influencers, and pornography is a serious and growing concern. We are teaching boys to view women as adversaries or objects. However, parents play a vital role in disrupting these influences. Through education, empathy, and open dialogue, families can guide boys towards healthy, respectful relationships and prevent the spread of toxic ideologies.
References:
Bridges, A, Willis, M, Ezzell, M, Sun, C, Johnson, J & Wright, P 2024, ‘Pornography Use and Sexual Objectification of Others’, Violence Against Women, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 228-248, Sage Journals, DOI: 10.1177/10778012231207041
Reset-Tech Australia 2022, Algorithms as a weapon against women: How YouTube lures boys and young men into the ‘Manosphere’, https://au.reset.tech/news/algorithms-as-a-weapon-against-women-how-youtube-lures-boys-and-young-men-into-the-manosphere/
Over, H, Bunce, C, Baggaley, J & Zendle, D 2025, ‘Understanding the influence of online misogyny in schools from the perspective of teachers’, PloS one, vol. 20, no.2, e0299339-, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299339
Wescott, S, Roberts, S & Zhao, X 2024, ‘The problem of anti-feminist ‘manfluencer’ Andrew Tate in Australian schools: women teachers’ experiences of resurgent male supremacy’, Gender and education, vol. 36, no.2, pp. 167-182, DOI: 10.1080/09540253.2023.2292622
Willis, M, Bridges, A, Sun, C 2022, ‘Pornography Use, Gender and Sexual Objectification: A Multinational study, Sexuality & Culture, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 1298 – 1313, ProQuest Central, DOI: 10.1007/s12119-022-09943-z