Redefining Masculinity: Empowering students to challenge stereotypes online and find positive influencers
Content warning: This article contains content that may be sensitive to students. Please review the content of this post before sharing it with your students.
Be sure to check out the suggested Huddle question at the bottom of this article to discuss this important topic with your students in class, if you feel it is appropriate.
We’ve all heard the saying: You are who you surround yourself with. This doesn’t just mean who we surround ourselves with in person. It applies to who we follow and engage with online. As negativity surges in the manosphere, how can educators support and guide our male students who are engaging with toxic masculinity online?
The manosphere is a virtual space of websites, blogs, and online forums where young men seek support and isolation. What started as a place for young men to connect and support each other has been inundated with toxic masculinity. In today’s interconnected world, issues like toxic masculinity and the manosphere spill into the classroom and school halls, impacting school communities with cyberbullying and negative stereotypes.
Despite the prevalence of toxic masculinity online, educators like Antonio Garza and Jordan Davenport are advocating for positive masculinity through initiatives such as the “Raising Gentle’men” program. As educators, we can equip students to confront societal pressures and navigate online spaces positively by empowering students to follow positive influencers that foster healthy development and empower them to thrive, like the Raising Gentle’men program and more! Let’s dive in.
Allowing students to embrace vulnerability as a victory
Many influencers, such as the rise of Andrew Tate, have led to heightened conversations surrounding toxic masculinity and the role social media and technology play in spreading harmful beliefs.
While challenges like this can arise on social media through negative conversations on the manosphere, social media platforms have also revolutionized how students discover and engage with influencers and hobbies, offering a treasure trove of inspiration and resources at their fingertips.
By leading with the positives and empowering students to navigate the manosphere in ways that lift them up instead of getting caught up in its toxic masculinity content, we can help students explore new interests online, discover support groups, and connect with others in positive ways. In fact, a poll of 1,500 individuals aged 18 to 25 revealed that a remarkable 72 percent explored new interests after stumbling upon captivating videos on popular social media channels.
From DIY crafting tutorials to cooking demonstrations and adrenaline-pumping fitness routines, the diverse array of content available online ignites curiosity and encourages purposeful behavior. To combat the negative side of the manosphere, here are some male influencers who are flipping the script and empowering students online:
- Jordan Davenport and Antonio Garza’s: “Raising Gentle’men” program
- Based in Naples, Florida, Jordan Davenport and Antonio Garza are locking arms with public schools in their state to educate young men on the power of positive masculinity. Both Garza and Davenport believe that building relationships with these young men is the most important part of their mission. Often, it is the case that many of the boys participating in the Raising Gentle’men program have not had the chance to develop the skills needed to foster empathy and understanding. Their work, which offers a mentorship approach, allows students to huddle and discuss positive habits in the classroom context.
- DeMar DeRozan: “Dinners with DeMar”
- Through DeMar DeRozan’s “Dinners with DeMar” mental health podcast, DeMar is seeking candid conversations with former stars, current stars, and mental health professionals, sharing his own struggles and triumphs. His podcast offers valuable insights for young men navigating vulnerability, and by openly sharing his experiences, he hopes to break down the stigma of men’s mental health and encourage others to seek help when needed.
- Joe Wicks: Fitness guru
- Popular fitness influencer Joe Wicks uses his YouTube channel, TheBodyCoachTV, to openly infuse mental health with physical strength. Wicks is known for his upbeat and approachable demeanor, inspiring millions with simple and effective workout routines.
- Justin Baldoni: Actor, author, and advocate
- Justin Baldoni is an actor, director, producer, entrepreneur, and changemaker focused on creating impactful media and entertainment and being a positive role model for young men. Our Student Ambassadors, Pierce and Hunter, huddled up with Justin to talk about his book, Boys Will Be Human, the vulnerabilities of growing up as a teen in the age of social media, and what educators should know when it comes to supporting students both in and out of the classroom. Watch here!
Educators play a powerful role in empowering students to embrace vulnerability and use social media in positive, high-character ways. When we encourage students to follow positive role models that align with their values, we can support them and help them thrive instead of leaning on platforms such as the manosphere that may not be positive influences for them.
Empowering our students to navigate social media for good
As educators, we’re often left to deal with controversial and difficult topics with minimal or no training. But, when topics like the manosphere impact our students, educators need to be comfortable talking with students so that we can positively influence them.
By promoting vulnerability, highlighting positive influencers, and promoting healthy tech use, educators can create a nurturing environment where all students can feel supported and navigate their social worlds, both online and offline, in healthy and high-character ways. For more ways you can implement healthy strategies to empower your students online, check out these tips:
- Start Talking
- Encourage students to chat openly about stereotypes and how unhealthy ideas can shape who we are. By creating a safe space to talk, students can share their thoughts, challenge bad ideas, and find better ways to think.
- Find Positive Role Models
- Show students examples of positive role models who break the mold positively—ones who are kind, respectful, and align with our values.
- Learn to Spot the Good Stuff
- Equip students with the tools to think critically about the content they consume online, whether from influencers, videos, or blogs, and how it can affect us. Empower them to evaluate information, identify harmful ideologies, such as toxic masculinity content on the manosphere, and make informed decisions about their online interactions.
- Knowledge is Power
- Teach students about healthy relationships, respecting boundaries, and navigating our emotions by equipping them with our Seven Social Standards, such as Cyberback and Play To Your Core.
With the right support, students can combat negativity online through the manosphere and flip the script of toxic masculinity to use social media and tech in ways that empower them. For more information on how students can seek positive role models, check out our #WinAtSocial Lesson on Building a Team of Positive Role Models.
#WinAtSocial Huddle Question
Huddle with your students
How do you think stereotypes that are online impact us? What steps can we take to challenge and change these stereotypes to foster a more inclusive and positive online environment?
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.