Article: published on 13 October 2025
Forensic Psychiatrist, Dr Sohom Das
How to talk to your child about toxic masculinity and misogyny
- Published
A recent Eastenders storyline tackling the topic of toxic masculinity and misogyny has reignited the debate about the rise of the issue amongst boys and young men.
To explain what's behind this trend, how it's influencing teenagers, and what parents can do to respond, expert psychiatrist Dr Sohom Das joined BBC Morning Live in the studio to share his insights.
What is misogyny and how early does it start?
Dr Das says:
"Misogyny means a hatred or deep distrust of women, but it doesn't always look extreme. It can include more subtle behaviours, such as dismissing women's views, mocking them for showing emotion, or describing empathy as weakness.
What's worrying now is how early this is taking root. We're seeing these ideas not only in adults but in children and teenagers who are spending more time online.
According to Amnesty International, 73% of young social media users have seen misogynistic content, and more than half say they encounter it at least once a week. Much of it comes from influencers who portray themselves as confident and successful while spreading resentment towards women."
The influencer effect
Many influencers know exactly how to make their content appealing.
Dr Das says:
"They speak with confidence, promise success and control, and often wrap harmful ideas in messages about self-improvement or independence. That makes their views sound positive at first, but they can quickly shift towards hostility.
Social media algorithms make the problem worse by promoting videos that generate strong reactions. So even if a teenager isn't searching for that material, it can still appear on their feed. A young person might start with one video about confidence, and soon they're in an echo chamber of extreme opinions about gender and power."
What to look out for
Parents, teachers and friends can spot warning signs that someone is being influenced by this type of content.
Dr Das gives his tips:
"Watch for an individual using language that generalises or insults women, such as "they're all manipulative" or "feminism has gone too far".
Are they following or sharing "alpha male" accounts that promote dominance and control?
Are they mocking women for speaking out or describing kindness as weakness?
Look out for signs of increased hostility or defensiveness towards female classmates or family members.
This behaviour can normalise quickly in online spaces, so early conversations are essential."
How to talk about it
Dr Das recommends approaching these discussions with curiosity rather than confrontation.
He says:
"Ask where they heard something, what they think it means, and whether they think it's fair. The aim isn't to lecture them, but to help them think critically about what they're watching."
Suggest watching content together to explore who created it, what message they're pushing, and why it might appeal to people. When you identify the manipulation behind the message, it loses its power.
"As a role model, show that being open, kind and emotionally aware is strength, not weakness. When boys see men who behave that way, it challenges the idea that power comes from aggression."
Support and advice
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, external - supports families affected by harmful sexual behaviour.
End Violence Against Women, external - campaigns for gender equality and education.
Beyond Equality, external - runs workshops for schools and workplaces about healthy masculinity.
Internet Matters, external - advice for parents on supporting children's online wellbeing.
Action for Children, external - resources to help parents talk about sexism and gender equality.
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