Overview

CPD on the go® eLearning activities provide an opportunity to learn about diverse topics in short, flexible sessions that you can peruse at your own pace, wherever you are.  

In recent years, the rise of the manosphere—a web of online spaces promoting misogynistic, hypermasculine, and anti-feminist ideologies—has become increasingly influential among teenage boys. Figures, such as Andrew Tate, have leveraged social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, to present themselves as role models, often blurring the lines between self-help, entertainment, and extremist gender politics. For many adolescents navigating questions of identity, belonging, and masculinity, this digital content offers not only guidance but also emotional resonance—sometimes filling gaps left by traditional sources of support. This trend presents a growing challenge for mental health professionals, educators, and parents alike, as the emotional and social dynamics of these spaces become embedded in everyday adolescent life.

This article explores how teenage boys engage with manosphere content, particularly through the lens of Andrew Tate’s influence, and how this engagement functions as a form of emotional and social currency among peers. Drawing on focus groups with 13–14-year-old boys and a critical analysis of Tate’s media presence, the study unpacks how young people use this content to bond, joke, and affirm group identities, often without full awareness of its underlying misogyny.

This activity contains a current evidence-based article followed by 10 questions to consolidate your learning. Together, a pass mark of 80% and completion of a reflection represents active* continuing professional development (CPD).

Level of Learning

Foundational. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic.

Target audience

This activity is suitable for: psychologists, social workers, general practitioners, occupational therapists, nurses, and allied health practitioners.

APS CPD-Approved

This eLearning activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality.

Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this CPD on the go®  eLearning activity, participants should be able to: 

• describe how adolescent boys use manosphere content as a form of emotional and social bonding,

• analyse the role of humour, peer dynamics, and affect in normalising misogynistic messages,

• reflect on ways to support adolescent boys in discussing online influences within a therapeutic setting, and

• evaluate the effectiveness of non-confrontational strategies when working with adolescents influenced by manosphere content.

Notes