Monash University researchers in partnership with Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS) have developed a new resource for educators to support secondary schools across Australia to respond to the rising influence of the “manosphere” and its harmful impacts on young people.
The resource, The Manosphere: Impacts for Young People, Teachers and Schools, is written for educators responding directly to manosphere influence in their schools, and provides an overview of the harmful impacts of the manosphere on young people, teachers and school communities. The resource includes an introduction to key beliefs, links to violence, and recruitment pathways for boys and young men; insights into the role of social media; and practical information to support teachers and school staff to recognise, understand and respond to these issues.
Lead researcher on the project and Director of the Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Hub, Dr Naomi Pfitzner, said the guide explains how the manosphere normalises harmful gender narratives that support gender inequality and contribute to gender-based violence, but also equips teachers with information to have critical conversations.
“Students and teachers are telling us they are seeing these harmful ideologies and behaviours show up in classrooms every day,” Dr Pfitzner said.
“This guide gives schools a clear, evidence‑based starting point to understand what the manosphere is, why it matters, and how to help their students navigate these harmful narratives.”
Co‑author Dr Stephanie Wescott from the Faculty of Education at Monash University, said the influence of the manosphere is now firmly embedded in the everyday experiences of schools.
“The manosphere is not a fringe phenomenon – it is shaping the attitudes and behaviours of young people in very real ways,” Dr Wescott said.
“Our work shows that educators are seeking practical resources that help them navigate these conversations safely and constructively. This guide is designed to meet that need and to support schools to foster respectful, inclusive learning environments.”
ANROWS CEO Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine, said the guide is an important step in supporting schools to address the growing influence of harmful online content.
“The manosphere is contributing to attitudes and behaviours that undermine gender equality and can escalate to violence. Educators are on the frontline of this challenge,” Dr Boyd-Caine said.
“This guide equips them with the knowledge and confidence to intervene early and foster safer, more respectful school environments.”
The guide will be available at today’s No to Violence Conference where Dr Stephanie Wescott is speaking on a panel about perspectives on young people’s online worlds, including the influence of the manosphere and how sectors can respond effectively.
The guide forms part of the Supporting Schools project—an initiative funded to develop, pilot and evaluate a professional learning program equipping teachers and school staff to address sexist and misogynistic content circulating online. The guide is now available for all schools and hosted on the ANROWS website.
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