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Radicalisation in the classroom: online misogyny and the influence of ‘manfluencers’ on
young boys
Name (Student number)
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University
Interdisciplinary Social Science
201800003: Youth and Sexuality
Teacher
2026
Word count: 1055
, 2
Radicalisation in the classroom: online misogyny and the influence of ‘manfluencers’ on
young boys
The case study is based on an article from the BBC, which reveals that an increase in
misogynistic remarks and sexism has been observed in secondary schools (James, 2026). This
trend is being encouraged by ‘manfluencers’ such as Andrew Tate. He is an online influencer and
entrepreneur who is controversial for promoting misogynistic views (Haslop et al., 2024).
Schools are facing a wave of toxic behaviour, with young boys using these misogynistic theories
and terminologies, such as ‘alpha’ and ‘beta’ norms, directly from the online manosphere in the
classroom. As a result, female classmates are sexually harassed and instructions from female
teachers are refused.
In this case study, there are many different key actors. The male pupils are consumers of
the media and, to some extent, perpetrators of hateful behaviour. Female pupils and teachers are
direct victims and are calling for safety and respect. Teachers and policymakers are concerned
about how to intervene pedagogically. Finally, the media acts as a watchdog, highlighting these
incidents.
From a political and social perspective, this development is highly topical and
controversial. Schools have traditionally been seen as safe and equal places but are ill-equipped
to counter the algorithmic radicalisation of young boys. This case study therefore reflects the
major political struggle surrounding toxic masculinity and resistance to gender equality in the
contemporary digital age.
Intergroup threat theory and toxic masculinity
The case study can be understood through the lens of intergroup threat theory. Renström
and Bäck (2024) argue that manfluencers within the manosphere adhere to a specific ideology in
which they view progress in women’s rights and feminism as a direct, existential threat to men’s
social status, power and identity (Haslop et al., 2024; Vallerga & Zurbriggen, 2022). When young
men believe that their masculinity and/or social position is being undermined, they react with
hostility and misogyny towards the outgroup, in this case women (Renström et al., 2023;
Rottweiler et al., 2025). This threat creates an identity vacuum (Maxwell et al., 2020) which
online networks purposefully exploit (Bujalka et al., 2022). The manosphere fills this void by
propagating an exaggerated image of masculinity that emphasises physical strength, aggression,
Radicalisation in the classroom: online misogyny and the influence of ‘manfluencers’ on
young boys
Name (Student number)
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University
Interdisciplinary Social Science
201800003: Youth and Sexuality
Teacher
2026
Word count: 1055
, 2
Radicalisation in the classroom: online misogyny and the influence of ‘manfluencers’ on
young boys
The case study is based on an article from the BBC, which reveals that an increase in
misogynistic remarks and sexism has been observed in secondary schools (James, 2026). This
trend is being encouraged by ‘manfluencers’ such as Andrew Tate. He is an online influencer and
entrepreneur who is controversial for promoting misogynistic views (Haslop et al., 2024).
Schools are facing a wave of toxic behaviour, with young boys using these misogynistic theories
and terminologies, such as ‘alpha’ and ‘beta’ norms, directly from the online manosphere in the
classroom. As a result, female classmates are sexually harassed and instructions from female
teachers are refused.
In this case study, there are many different key actors. The male pupils are consumers of
the media and, to some extent, perpetrators of hateful behaviour. Female pupils and teachers are
direct victims and are calling for safety and respect. Teachers and policymakers are concerned
about how to intervene pedagogically. Finally, the media acts as a watchdog, highlighting these
incidents.
From a political and social perspective, this development is highly topical and
controversial. Schools have traditionally been seen as safe and equal places but are ill-equipped
to counter the algorithmic radicalisation of young boys. This case study therefore reflects the
major political struggle surrounding toxic masculinity and resistance to gender equality in the
contemporary digital age.
Intergroup threat theory and toxic masculinity
The case study can be understood through the lens of intergroup threat theory. Renström
and Bäck (2024) argue that manfluencers within the manosphere adhere to a specific ideology in
which they view progress in women’s rights and feminism as a direct, existential threat to men’s
social status, power and identity (Haslop et al., 2024; Vallerga & Zurbriggen, 2022). When young
men believe that their masculinity and/or social position is being undermined, they react with
hostility and misogyny towards the outgroup, in this case women (Renström et al., 2023;
Rottweiler et al., 2025). This threat creates an identity vacuum (Maxwell et al., 2020) which
online networks purposefully exploit (Bujalka et al., 2022). The manosphere fills this void by
propagating an exaggerated image of masculinity that emphasises physical strength, aggression,
