A new study has revealed that 73% of teenage boys aged 11 to 14 have encountered misogynistic or harmful content online, often without actively searching for it. The research, commissioned by VodafoneThree, found that such content appears on average within 18 minutes of logging on, raising concerns about the influence of algorithms on young minds.
The poll of 500 boys showed that exposure to negative content about women has risen from 69% two years ago. A quarter of respondents said they see such material within the first minute online, more than double the figure for 2024. This content includes objectifying or belittling women, intimidating behaviour, and unwanted sexual advances.
Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer at VodafoneThree, said: 'Our latest findings show that young boys are still being exposed to misogynistic and harmful content almost as soon as they go online, driven by algorithms designed to keep them scrolling.' She added that the rise in exposure is 'fuelling the manosphere and normalising extreme ideas of masculinity'.
The study follows the release of Netflix's drama Adolescence and Louis Theroux's documentary Inside The Manosphere, which have highlighted the influence of extremist influencers promoting toxic masculinity. Parents have expressed alarm, with half reporting that their sons have said inappropriate things likely picked up online.
Almost a quarter of boys said the content makes them feel bad about themselves, up from 7% two years ago. Experts warn that repeated exposure desensitises young people to harmful views. VodafoneThree is urging regulators to make platforms 'safe by design' to protect children from unsolicited damaging content.
