Recently, the Netflix documentary Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere has brought renewed public focus to an influential online culture often referred to as the “manosphere”.
While the term may be unfamiliar to some, the ideas circulating within these digital spaces, often amplified through platforms such as TikTok, are increasingly shaping how young people encounter concepts of
masculinity, identity and belonging.
In the documentary, Louis Theroux gains access to online influencers and communities who promote rigid and extreme ideas about masculinity and women. The documentary highlights how these messages are reaching boys at young ages, shaping beliefs about relationships, self‑worth and what it means to be a man. For schools and families alike, this raises important questions about how boys are engaging with modern narratives of manhood, and what unmet needs may be driving that engagement.
When conversations about these influences arise, there is often an assumption that boys engaging with such content are simply “rebelling” or “rage‑baiting” adults. However, this framing risks overlooking something far more human. What both the documentary and broader research consistently reveal is that many boys drawn into these spaces are searching for belonging, purpose and clarity at a time when identity is still taking shape.
Evidence – including boys’ own accounts – shows internalising messages from adults, peers and social media that frame them as “bad”, “wrong”, or inherently problematic. Some report feeling unfairly targeted because of their gender, without having access to balanced or nuanced conversations about responsibility, respect and agency. The manosphere capitalises on this vulnerability, offering what appears to be a clear pathway to confidence, status, success and belonging. In doing so, it provides simplistic answers to complex emotional experiences.
Within these online spaces, emotional expression is frequently dismissed or reframed as weakness. Boys are told that emotions such as sadness do not exist, or that acknowledging them is a failure of strength. At the same time, girls and women are often reduced to narrow and harmful stereotypes, centred on serving men and characterised using derogatory language. These ideas reinforce damaging gender hierarchies and undermine the development of empathy, respect and healthy relationships.
As explored in the documentary, many manosphere influencers promote the idea that rapid financial success is readily achievable through their platforms, positioning themselves as leaders or mentors. Ultimately, however, these influencers profit from the attention and vulnerability of young boys and men. When examined more closely, the sense of belonging offered by the manosphere comes at a significant cost: the erosion of empathy,
respect and psychological wellbeing. For many young men during adolescence, the appeal of these spaces lies not in extremism itself, but in a desire for brotherhood, certainty and direction, coupled with confusion about
contemporary masculinity and a lack of safe, trusted spaces to explore vulnerability. The
behaviours that emerge from engagement with manosphere culture are often signals of deeper unmet needs.
For this reason, the documentary offers a valuable lens through which families and educators can better understand the cultural landscape boys are navigating. Watching the documentary is not about fear; it is about understanding the landscape that our boys are being exposed to and the messages they may feel compelled to navigate.
This reality challenges schools and families to look beyond surface behaviours and to consider how boys are being supported to make sense of their experiences. Awareness of the cultural narratives shaping older boys is important, as these ideas inevitably filter down to younger students. By developing understanding early, we allow for proactive, informed conversations that emphasise curiosity, reflection and guidance.
At Scotch College, there is a deliberate commitment to ensuring that boys are exposed to healthier, evidence‑based narratives around masculinity. Across the College, students are supported through classroom learning, pastoral care structures and access to professional staff who understand the social and emotional complexities of boyhood. Complementing this are reputable external resources1 that support boys’ mental health and emotional literacy, including research‑based organisations and local support services tailored to young people.
Ultimately, supporting boys in navigating these influences is not about having all the answers. It is about remaining open, engaged and willing to listen without immediate judgement. Creating spaces where boys can talk honestly about respect, relationships and identity – and where healthy male role models are visible and valued – is essential.
As schools work in partnership with families and the wider community, the task remains clear: to guide boys towards a more thoughtful, compassionate and grounded understanding of manhood, one that equips them not only for success, but for meaningful connection and contribution in an increasingly complex world.
Mr Jon Marginis
Lead Psychologist, Endorsed: Clinical Psychologist & Counselling Psychologist
1School TV, available through the Scotch College App and home.scotch; Movember, which provides research and practical tools supporting boys’ mental health and emotional literacy; Dr Zac Seidler, a leading Australian voice in men’s mental health; and Western Australian youth services including MensTalk, Youth Focus and Headspace.
