The ‘manosphere’ is increasingly permeating all levels of society, making understanding this growing phenomenon—and the ways to counter its harms—more crucial than ever before. 

ISD’s Paula Matlach spoke to Spiegel to discuss the manosphere in Germany and beyond, how it operates and what can be done to address and prevent harmful masculinity ideals and misogyny online.  

In response to questions about ISD’s research into the German manosphere, Paula highlighted ISD’s findings that identified over 350 German accounts that can be classified as belonging to the manosphere. She also described how the manosphere is a transnational movement, with similarities in its groups in English-speaking countries, as well as France, Hungary and Brazil. 

Paula emphasized that the manosphere is not merely an “internet problem,” and the importance of parents’ monitoring the content their children engage with online, as well as media literacy and educational outreach. 

The full interview is available on Spiegel.