Across Europe, from Berlin to Madrid, a growing number of boys and young men are turning to online communities that promise belonging and identity. But a new report published in The Lancet warns that these spaces—collectively known as the manosphere—are causing underrecognised harm to health and require a coordinated public health response.
The manosphere is a loose network of websites, forums, and social media channels that claim to address men's struggles while often blaming women and feminism for perceived disadvantages. The report, co-authored by researchers from the think tank Global 50/50, argues that these communities exploit feelings of isolation and economic insecurity, offering simplistic explanations for why life feels hard.
“The manosphere offers boys and young men belonging, identity and an explanation for why life feels hard,” said Sarah Hawkes, co-founder of Global 50/50 and co-author of the report. However, she added, that sense of belonging comes at a cost.
Health harms and societal costs
The report highlights a range of harms linked to manosphere content, including social isolation, reluctance to seek mental health care, body dissatisfaction, and gender-based violence. These effects are not limited to individuals; they ripple through families and communities, placing additional strain on health systems across the EU and beyond.
Boys and men are already facing significant challenges. Across many European countries, boys are disengaging from education at alarming rates, while men are over-represented in suicide statistics and incarceration figures. In countries like Finland and Lithuania, male suicide rates remain among the highest in the world, and mental health services are often underused by men.
The report also points to the commercial incentives behind the manosphere. “Boys and men are not the problem,” said Kent Buse, co-author of the report. “The problem is the conditions that leave them isolated and without a secure future, and the companies that profit from their anger and insecurity.” He described the manosphere as a business model that rewards the most extreme content, exploiting outrage and grievance for profit.
Beyond content moderation
The authors argue that simply moderating or banning manosphere content is insufficient. Restricting access does nothing to address the underlying unmet needs that make these communities attractive in the first place. “We need to offer boys something better, not just tell them what to avoid,” Hawkes said.
Instead, the report calls for a public health approach that tackles root causes. This includes economic security through employment and social protection policies, re-engaging boys with education, and improving access to mental health support and other essential services for boys and young men.
Such strategies have been used successfully in other areas, such as reducing gender-based violence and drug use, by addressing social determinants, challenging stigma, and shifting public attitudes—rather than relying mainly on punishment and law enforcement.
The report also notes that the manosphere operates with clear hierarchies of masculinity, “mainly based on physical attractiveness and socioeconomic status.” Idealised images of the male body—low body fat, muscularity, hypermasculine features—are widely circulated online and have been linked to mental health harms, including body dissatisfaction and psychological distress.
For European policymakers, the message is clear: the manosphere is not just an online nuisance but a public health issue that demands action. As the continent grapples with rising inequality and social fragmentation, addressing the conditions that drive boys and men toward these communities could be a crucial step toward healthier, more cohesive societies.
