When a 12-year-old boy claims at dinner that “all girls manipulate guys”, there are often hours of videos from the manosphere. According to an OpinionWay survey for Sidaction carried out in December 2025, 37% of 16-34 year olds say they consult content from masculinist influencers. This exposure can begin very early, sometimes as early as middle school. According to a University of Dublin study cited in the Senate report on “the new offensive against women”, a new user could be recommended masculinist content on TikTok in just 26 minutes.
Many parents feel helpless protect the boys from the manosphere without robbing them. For the psychotherapist Zara Kadirinterviewed by Newsweek, the priority is not to win the debate but to keep the connection. She insists: “You must welcome your children’s thoughts and curiosities even if you think they are ridiculous,” then adds: “If you shut down a conversation before it even starts, then you’ll push them further away.”. The Greater London Authority, through London City Hall, and The Children’s Society advocate the same approach of open, non-judgmental dialogue.
Protecting Boys from the Manosphere: Keeping the Conversation Open
When a boy repeats that “a normal woman necessarily wants a rich man“, the common reflex is to correct it or confiscate the phone. Zara Kadir suggests something else: ask where he heard that, if he thinks it’s true for all women, then help him spot generalizations about “billions of people.” This series of open questions allows him to think for himself, instead of pitting a parental opinion against an influencer’s opinion.
Same recommendation from our expert, the psychologist Amélie Boukhobza who recognized in a previous article that the temptation is great to correct, argue, dismantle point by point. “But for a teenager, confrontation stiffens. The more we attack the discourse, the more it can become a refuge of identity”. We must therefore avoid win-lose debates.
Why the manosphere seduces boys today
There manosphere don’t just talk about girls; it promises boys clear rules, status and a sense of belonging. According to The Children’s Society, about a third of young Gen Z men believe a wife should obey her husband. For Zara Kadirthese beliefs often hide a fear: “I would ask the question: ‘How does believing this make you feel about yourself?’ Because behind ‘women really want rich men’ can actually be hidden ‘I’m afraid no one will ever want me’,” she explained.
The initial goal is not to persuade, but to grasp what these ideas actually support. Ask questions like “What appeals to you about that? What frustrates you? How do you feel hearing this?“can reveal a deeper unease.”Often, these speeches reflect less a desire for domination than a vulnerability, a fear of not being up to the task.” specifies Amélie Boukhobza. The expert insists on the need to maintain the link: “Even if the exchanges are tense, the bond is protective. It is therefore more than ever time to keep shared moments without ideological debate. To show interest in what he experiences, not just what he thinks and to avoid humiliation or sarcasm“.
Strengthening boys’ immunity to the manosphere
Researchers cited by Phys.org estimate that 59% of boys encounter this content through seemingly innocuous searches, then amplified by the platforms’ recommendation systems. The eSafety Commissioner recommends talking about it as a problem of misinformation: questioning the “evidence”, dissecting misleading statistics, explaining expressions like “alpha”, “beta” or “looksmaxxing”. More than an isolated word, it is the repeated patterns of generalization, contempt or violence that should raise alarm.
Several organizations finally remind us that the best protection remains a feeling of belonging offline. London City Hall speaks of a network of “trusted adults” around the boy. If a teenager isolates himself, becomes obsessed with this content or with figures like Andrew Tate, seeking help from a psychotherapist can prevent him from becoming locked into the manosphere.