The Netflix drama Adolescence explores the growing trend. It shows how young boys are increasingly being drawn into toxic online spaces known as the “manosphere.”
The series follows the story of a 13-year-old English boy named Jamie. After being socially isolated at school and experiencing rejection from a girl, Jamie spirals into a darker online world. The series reveals how what starts as a typical coming-of-age story quickly turns into a narrative of online radicalisation.
The drama shows how boys like Jamie are alone in their rooms and on screens for hours. They are absorbing misogynistic and violent ideologies. These ideologies are often hidden in memes, emojis, and coded language. The show doesn’t present the toxic content directly. Instead, it illustrates its effect through adult characters. These characters misunderstand or misread teenagers’ online communication.
This online descent into the manosphere is characterised by slang like “looksmaxxing” (enhancing appearance to increase one’s “sexual market value”). It also features meme culture that mocks women and glorifies “alpha males.”
These terms are part of a wider manosphere culture that glorifies male dominance and vilifies women. Influencers like Andrew Tate are central figures in this ecosystem. They promote a version of masculinity centred around power, emotional control, and physical strength.
The Conversation article, “How the manosphere spreads through online gaming, influencers and algorithms”, supports this. It shows how platforms like YouTube and TikTok push this content to users. Their algorithms reward provocative and emotionally charged posts.
What Adolescence and these analyses make clear is that boys aren’t inherently misogynistic. However, many are lonely and struggling with mental health. They also lack supportive role models. Online influencers offer them a false sense of purpose and identity, often framed through toxic masculinity. Gareth Southgate, England’s football manager, highlights this need in the article. Boys today desperately need more real-life clubs. They also need mentors and safe spaces.
Analysis: Masculinity, Misogyny and Online Culture
From a sociological perspective, this crisis in masculinity can be best understood through feminist theory. The study of crime and identity also provides insights.
1. Feminist Theory and Patriarchal Structures
Feminist theorists argue that masculinity under patriarchy is often constructed around dominance, emotional repression, and control over women. This creates a system where boys and men are pressured to reject vulnerability in favour of power. As explained in this summary of feminist theory, patriarchal institutions—including the media and education—reinforce male dominance. They also marginalise or pathologise femininity and emotional expression.
The manosphere reflects this: it promotes the idea that women are to blame for men’s failures. It encourages boys to reclaim their “lost” power through aggression and entitlement.
2. Messerschmidt: Masculinities and Crime
James W. Messerschmidt’s analysis of masculinities and crime helps explain why young men like Jamie might turn to violence or toxic ideologies. He argues that crime can be a way for marginalised men to “do masculinity”— especially when traditional markers of male success (e.g. good jobs, sexual relationships, status) are unattainable.
In this context, engaging with the manosphere serves as a method for boys. It allows them to perform a version of masculinity that feels powerful. This expression of power can be damaging. The ideology provides a script for asserting dominance when they feel otherwise powerless.
3. Richard Collier: The Emotional Crisis of Masculinity
Richard Collier’s work on masculinity and criminology focuses on the emotional toll of living under these rigid gender norms. He highlights the internal conflict many boys face. They are taught to be stoic and unemotional. Yet, they increasingly suffer from anxiety, depression, and loneliness. This emotional repression makes the hyper-masculine messaging of influencers like Andrew Tate especially appealing. It offers a fantasy of control and clarity in a confusing world.
4. Andrew Tate and the Real-World Impact
The arrest of Andrew Tate brought mainstream attention to the dangers of these online ideologies. Tate built a vast following by promoting misogyny and violence. He also spread conspiracy theories. Yet many young boys idolised him. This was because he promised success, wealth, and power. His rise shows how online algorithms, coupled with real-world insecurities, can rapidly radicalise vulnerable teens.
Conclusion
The growing influence of the manosphere should be seen not just as a tech issue. It is also a deep social and emotional one. Boys like Jamie are not born misogynistic. They’re failed by systems that do not support their emotional needs, social development, or sense of belonging.
Addressing this issue means more than just banning influencers. It requires rethinking how we talk about masculinity. We must reconsider how we educate boys. Additionally, we need to create real-world spaces where they can thrive without having to conform to toxic ideals.
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