STOURBRIDGE'S MP has called for urgent action to protect men and boys from harmful content promoted by 'manosphere' influencers.
MP Cat Eccles has written to Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes, urging the regulator to issue formal guidance for online platforms on harmful 'manosphere' content targeting young men and boys.
The request is for guidance similar to guidance published in November 2025 to protect women and girls under the Online Safety Act.
Ms Eccles said: "Men and boys in Stourbridge, Brierley Hill and Netherton deserve better than the exploitative and harmful extremes peddled to them by the worst parts of the internet.
"The Government has committed to halving violence against women and girls in this parliament – but we won’t be able to achieve this without tackling the spread of hateful misogynist content online.
"For the safety of everyone in our community, Ofcom needs to step up."
Organisations including the Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys have echoed calls for similar guidance to address risks faced by young men online.
Ofcom has so far declined, saying its legal duties only cover women and girls, though Ms Eccles argues nothing in the legislation prevents broader action.
The issue of harmful online influence was recently highlighted in Louis Theroux’s documentary Inside the Manosphere, which explored how teenage boys are exposed to far-right political radicalisation, crypto scams and violent pornography through certain influencers.
Data from the Gambling Commission shows that 53 per cent of boys aged 11 to 17 see gambling adverts online each week, compared to 31 per cent of girls.
According to the Internet Watch Foundation, 91 per cent of sextortion victims are male, and men are slightly more likely to encounter online scams and fraud.
Ms Eccles said: "There’s nothing stopping it from giving clear guidance to platforms to properly deal with harmful content aimed at men and boys – they must do so urgently."
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