On World Day Against Child Sexual Exploitation, we explore how online misogyny is shaping young people’s lives.
The online content young people see every day affects how they understand relationships, gender and sex, and the expectations they take into those relationships.
For the team at YMCA DownsLink Group’s WiSE Project, which supports young people affected by sexual exploitation, this online world is becoming an increasingly important part of the safeguarding picture.
While many people still imagine child sexual exploitation as something carried out by adults, our WiSE team is seeing more cases where the harm takes place between young people themselves. Understanding what drives this behaviour is essential, and one growing factor is the rise of online misogyny.
Peer‑on‑peer harm: a growing and often overlooked issue
Misogynistic content – treating women and girls unfairly or disrespectfully – does not automatically lead to harmful behaviour.
However, national research continues to highlight how common peer‑on‑peer sexual harassment has become in schools and online spaces. Many young people now describe certain behaviours as “normal”, even when those behaviours are harmful.
Our WiSE team hear from young people every day who feel confused, pressured or unsure about what healthy relationships should look like. Much of this confusion comes from what they see online.
What online misogyny looks like for young people
Online misogyny includes ideas that boys or men are entitled to sex, or that girls exist mainly for male attention. These beliefs don’t always show up in obvious or extreme ways – instead, they often appear through short, engaging clips that young people scroll past without thinking.
Most young people are not going looking for this content. Algorithms bring it to them.
They might encounter short videos about:
- being an “alpha male”
- how “high‑value men” should behave
- why girls are supposedly “less loyal”
- unrealistic expectations around dating and appearance.
But even if young people don’t fully agree with it, hearing these messages repeatedly can influence how they view themselves and each other.
The “manosphere”
You may have heard the word “manosphere” – an umbrella term for a collection of online spaces talking about masculinity, dating and male identity. Some parts of it are harmless. Others promote harmful stereotypes or encourage disrespect towards women and girls.
But here’s the important part:
Most young people don’t enter the manosphere on purpose.
Content from these spaces spreads widely through:
- TikTok and YouTube Shorts
- Clips from long podcasts
- Meme pages
- Self‑improvement or fitness channels
- Gaming and influencer content.
A two‑hour podcast might be broken into a 20‑second clip making a bold claim about women – exactly the sort of content the algorithm rewards.
This means that even young people who aren’t actively seeking harmful content can be exposed to it.
Why this matters for young people’s safety
Seeing a single video won’t cause harmful behaviour. But constant exposure to misogynistic messages can:
- normalise unhealthy expectations
- shape how young people behave in friendships and relationships
- increase peer pressure
- blur understanding of consent
- create environments where harmful sexual behaviour is more likely.
When this combines with pornography, group chats, and online peer pressure, it can have a real impact on the relationships young people experience offline.
This is why the digital world is now a vital part of safeguarding.
How adults can help
Here are simple, supportive steps every parent, carer and professional can take:
- Talk openly about what they see online
Young people often want to discuss confusing content; they just need a space where they won’t be judged.
- Encourage critical thinking
Help them understand how algorithms work and why certain videos go viral.
- Challenge harmful ideas calmly
Ask questions like “Where do you think that idea comes from?” rather than shutting the conversation down.
- Model healthy, respectful relationships
Positive examples make a huge difference, even when it doesn’t feel like young people are listening.
- Reach out for support if something worries you
No one has to navigate this alone. If something online worries you, reach out for support. A trusted adult, teacher, parent, or the WiSE team can help you make sense of what’s going on.
Our call to action
Online misogyny reaches young people every day through fast, attention grabbing content. On World Day Against Child Sexual Exploitation, we’re calling for more awareness, more open conversations, and better support for those trying to make sense of these messages.
If you’re worried about a young person, or want guidance, visit our web page for clear information and resources for both young people and parents/carers. WiSE might not always be the right service for you or your child, but we will always try to signpost you to support that’s more appropriate.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. If a child or young person may be at risk of significant harm, contact your local Children’s Services straight away.
Together, we can help create safer relationships – both online and offline.
Further reading:
WiSE words: turning ‘Adolescence’ into action – YMCA DownsLink Group
Our 2017 report: The Sexual Exploitation on Boys and Young Men in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex
