Are influencers to blame? Police say there is an “epidemic” of violence against women. Some are pinning the blame on TikTok stars who feed men and boys a diet of resentment and sexism.
Anti-female violence is UK emergency
Are influencers to blame? Police say there is an "epidemic" of violence against women. Some are pinning the blame on TikTok stars who feed men and boys a diet of resentment and sexism.
Throughout history, men have liked to style themselves as women's "protectors". The image of the good knight defending the "damsel in distress" is one of the oldest tropesRepeated themes, images, metaphors and narratives. For instance, the "damsel in distress" is a trope in fairy tales and romantic novels. in fiction. But the reality has always been murkier.
A new report has found that in the year leading up to March 2023, more than a million violent crimes against women and children were recorded in England and Wales.
That amounts to almost 3,000 a day, a 37% rise in just four years.1 Many more crimes will have gone unreported.
Cases of child sexual abuse have more than quintupledGrown five times as big. since 2013. And, most worryingly of all, the average age of the suspects in these cases is just 15. The wave of child exploitationTreating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their hard work. is being led by teenage boys.
This is why many experts think social media is to blame, especially misogynisticStrong and deeply ingrained prejudice against women. influencers like Andrew TateAn American-British media personality who has become notorious for controversial videos. He has been charged with rape and human trafficking. .
Tate is king of the so-called "manosphere", an online world where men preach grievance and bitterness against women.
They tell their followers that the world is trying to feminise them, that feminismCalling for women's rights with the aim of achieving gender equality. is a conspiracy, that men who disagree with them are just "simps" trying to suck up to women.
In reality, they argue, women are only interested in "alpha males" who act aggressively and make lots of money. And they promise to teach their followers how to be alpha themselves with online courses and quackWithout any scientific basis. products at an extortionate price.
The manosphere has become a kind of cult. Even when Tate was arrested in Romania on charges of human traffickingThe recruitment, transportation or trade of humans for forced labour or sexual exploitation. and rape, his online popularity remained undimmed.
And many of those ardentVery enthusiastic or interested. fans are teenage boys. Teachers all over the western world report that male pupils have begun to regurgitate Tate's views on women.
This is why some experts think the only answer is to ban the manosphere accounts and cut off these messages at their source.
But others think this goes much deeper than Tate. Around half of men who say they like Tate also claim not to agree with his views on women.2 What really draws them to him is the promise of success, and they pick up his toxic misogyny in the process.
A century ago, they say, men had much less competition. Women were not allowed to graduate from most universities. They were barred from almost all high-paying jobs. There were only two women MPsMembers of Parliament. MPs are elected to represent people in 650 different geographical areas. .
Since then, two things have happened. Women have many more opportunities. Almost 80% of women aged 25 to 54 are now employed, compared with just 57% in 1975.3
Given an equal chance, they are outdoing men in many areas. Women are almost a third more likely to go to university than men.4
At the same time, life has become less predictable. For most of the 20th Century, most men could be assured a secure job that would bring home enough money for a decent house and other trappings of success.
Now that lifestyle has become much more expensive. Few can afford their own houses or to raise a family.
These two factors make it less likely men will achieve the kind of life they consider a "success". And they are blaming women for this.
Banning Tate will not solve misogyny, these experts say. The only way is to change men's attitudes and make sure everyone has the chance to flourish.
Are influencers to blame?
Yes: Tate and other opportunists are preying on frustrated men and boys, promising to teach them how to get rich while filling their minds with poison. We need to break up their business model.
No: Cutting off access to influencers will not help if men are still frustrated and still blame these frustrations on women. They have to be taught the benefits of equality, and given reasons to hope.
Or... Blocking misogynistic influencers from the internet will not solve the problem, but it may be a necessary first step towards a solution. As long as they are allowed to operate it will only get worse.
FOR YOUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.
Tropes - Repeated themes, images, metaphors and narratives. For instance, the "damsel in distress" is a trope in fairy tales and romantic novels.
Quintupled - Grown five times as big.
Exploitation - Treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their hard work.
Misogynistic - Strong and deeply ingrained prejudice against women.
Andrew Tate - An American-British media personality who has become notorious for controversial videos. He has been charged with rape and human trafficking.
Feminism - Calling for women's rights with the aim of achieving gender equality.
Quack - Without any scientific basis.
Human trafficking - The recruitment, transportation or trade of humans for forced labour or sexual exploitation.
Ardent - Very enthusiastic or interested.
MPs - Members of Parliament. MPs are elected to represent people in 650 different geographical areas.
Anti-female violence is UK emergency

Glossary
Tropes - Repeated themes, images, metaphors and narratives. For instance, the "damsel in distress" is a trope in fairy tales and romantic novels.
Quintupled - Grown five times as big.
Exploitation - Treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their hard work.
Misogynistic - Strong and deeply ingrained prejudice against women.
Andrew Tate - An American-British media personality who has become notorious for controversial videos. He has been charged with rape and human trafficking.
Feminism - Calling for women's rights with the aim of achieving gender equality.
Quack - Without any scientific basis.
Human trafficking - The recruitment, transportation or trade of humans for forced labour or sexual exploitation.
Ardent - Very enthusiastic or interested.
MPs - Members of Parliament. MPs are elected to represent people in 650 different geographical areas.