Yahoo News We need to talk about how young men are being radicalised on social media
Earlier this week when Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood launched legal action against brothers Andrew and Tristian Tate over social media posts in the wake of her speaking in the House of Commons about being a “survivor of abuse”, it brought to the fore a conversation that I have been having for a number of months on the radicalisation of young men in Northern Ireland by so-called social media influencers.
Andrew Tate, who bills himself as a self-described “misogynist”, has previously stated that women should “bear responsibility” for being sexually assaulted and was detained in December 2022 alongside his brother following an investigation into human trafficking and rape, which they deny.
Tate also describes himself as the “king of toxic masculinity” and has a sizeable following not only in Northern Ireland but across the globe. Locally, we have also witnessed an increase in the number of male influencers, including some from Northern Ireland, taking to social media to peddle a warped view of manhood that glorifies aggression, objectifies women, and ultimately fuels a culture of misogyny.
This isn’t just about offensive language as these so-called “influencers” have a real-world impact with young, impressionable men across Northern Ireland absorbing these harmful views.
Studies have consistently linked exposure to this sort of content with increased aggression and hostility towards women.
This is something that should be particularly alarming in Northern Ireland, which has become one of the most dangerous places to live in Europe for women. In 2024, more than half of those murdered in Northern Ireland were female, leading to concerns around femicide in the region.
The casual misogyny and the dehumanising of women all normalise harmful behaviour and create an environment where disrespect and violence against women are seen as acceptable or even desirable.
The constant barrage of messages that portray women as objects for sexual gratification, that downplay the importance of consent, and that promote a hyper-masculine ideal of dominance and aggression has a profound impact on how young men view themselves and the world around them.
However, the impact of this toxic masculinity extends far beyond the digital realm and permeates our communities, influencing our relationships, our workplaces, and even our political discourse.
While we as a society need to do our bit to challenge these messages, we also need to foster open and honest conversations about what it means to be a man in today's world. These conversations should challenge traditional notions of masculinity, promoting healthy expressions of emotion, respect for others, and a genuine commitment to gender equality.
Finally, we need to support organisations and initiatives that are working to address the issue of toxic masculinity. These organisations such as White Ribbon NI challenge these young men on their beliefs and provide vital support to men and boys who are struggling with these harmful ideologies, helping them seek out alternative pathways to healthy and fulfilling lives.
While the legal action against the Tate brothers is one step, we have a long way to go to address the issues of toxic masculinity and the influence that such individuals have on young men in Northern Ireland.
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READ MORE: Sorcha Eastwood tells MPs she is “survivor of abuse” after rape threats
