A new study published by The Conversation is offering a closer look at how young men encounter masculinity-focused content online – and how some users can gradually be exposed to more extreme material through social media algorithms.
The research, conducted by academics from the University of Melbourne and American University, analyzed the TikTok viewing histories of 142 young men in Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Researchers reviewed roughly 2,000 videos viewed over a month-long period in what they describe as the first academic study in the field to rely on real user viewing histories rather than simulated “dummy” accounts.
The authors said the goal was to better understand how the so-called “manosphere” operates online and how young men actually experience masculinity-related content on platforms like TikTok.
The study found that 44% of the videos analyzed contained masculinity-related themes. Researchers categorized the content into three broad groups: “cultural touchpoints,” “masculine status,” and “degrading health.”
According to the researchers, the first category included mainstream content such as gym videos, sports clips, fashion advice, and dating tips. That category accounted for 38% of masculinity-related content reviewed in the study and was described as the most common entry point into the broader ecosystem.
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The second category, labeled “masculine status,” focused more heavily on themes of discipline, financial success, emotional restraint, and self-improvement. Researchers said these videos often promoted what they called a “high-value male” archetype and framed women as rewards tied to achievement and status. This category represented about 6% of the content analyzed.
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The final category — “degrading health” content — made up less than 1% of videos reviewed but included material researchers said featured overt misogyny, risky health messaging, and graphic depictions of violence against women. The study noted that some of this content appeared to violate TikTok’s own community guidelines, including restrictions on promoting peptide hormones, testosterone boosters, or harmful behavior.
The researchers argue that the progression between categories is important because more extreme content is often presented in a familiar style and tone that can make ideological shifts appear gradual rather than abrupt.
The study also examined how online recommendation systems may contribute to the spread of increasingly harmful content. Researchers said current moderation practices are often reactive, removing material only after it has already circulated widely.
The authors suggested that social media platforms could use classification systems like the one developed in the study to tailor recommendations based on user age and risk level. They also called for more targeted interventions, stronger digital literacy efforts, and additional research into how masculinity-focused online spaces influence attitudes and behavior.
The study comes amid renewed public attention on online male influencer culture and algorithm-driven radicalization, including discussions sparked by recent documentaries and broader debates around social media’s impact on young users.
Researchers said the findings highlight the need for policymakers, educators, parents, and technology companies to better understand the complexity of masculinity content online rather than treating the “manosphere” as a single uniform movement.
