Movember study: Nearly two-thirds of Australian men are regularly engaging with masculinity influencers

Masculinity influencers are moulding the views of young WA men, who have reported left feeling worthless and pressured to take part in risky behaviour such as using steroids and diet pills. A new report surveying 3000 men aged 16-25 across the country revealed the impact masculinity influencers have on men’s health. The report, released by the Movember Institute of Men’s Health on Wednesday, found that 68 per cent of young Australian men engage with masculinity influencers. Alarmingly, almost 30 per cent of those who did so also reported feelings of worthlessness. Movember research fellow Krista Fisher said the damaging implications of this content were not limited to mental health, with 23 per cent of young men surveyed admitting to considering taking steroids after being influenced by online content creators. Dr Fisher said they were able to understand the physical risks through their research, which showed, “guys that are watching these masculinity influencers were more likely — for some twice as likely —to be engaging with certain types of those risk-taking behaviours.” Mandurah teenager Harvey, 18, is one of the many men his age who watch fitness influencers online, and said he has felt encouraged to use steroids and diet pills. “It looks cool, looks fun, and sometimes it’s tempting,” he said. “But no, I wouldn’t (do it).” Harvey, who did not want his surname used, said he followed male influencers for entertainment and fitness motivation. The teen said he has had “mates hop on steroids because they want to meet unrealistic expectations set by influencers which gave them horrible body image and complicated health issues.” According to Curtin University senior lecturer Ben Rich, young men are susceptible to manosphere content because of a general sense of disempowerment and alienation among the male population. “What all of these influences are basically doing is they’re selling a package of goods that sort of are like, well, this is how you are meant to live your life,” he said. “The problem is, is that underneath all this, what this is about is it’s about basically channelling that broader sense of anxieties that everyone is experiencing, but, men are experiencing in a particular way.” WA influencer Nick Robinson said he could see how masculinity influencers could have a detrimental impact on men’s mental health. Mr Robinson said through his content, he hoped to have the opposite effect and allow young men to recognise and learn about their vulnerable side. “I don’t care if you’re covered in tattoos and the head of a bikie gang, you have a vulnerable side . . . and recognising it, learning from it, accepting it and using it to our advantage as people is so important, especially young men. “Juggling this wild thing called emotion we subconsciously suppress, and then having someone on the internet openly talk about these things we internalise can do a world of wonders to how someone can feel.” The 26-year-old said he takes issue with masculinity influencers who promote unrealistic expectations and lifestyles to young men. Despite their negative implications, Movember also highlighted the positive influence these online communities can have. “There were positives that I think are really important to emphasise, because they haven’t really been well captured in research or conversations about masculinity,” Dr Fisher said. “They were motivated and inspired by watching these influences, and they also felt more optimistic about their personal futures, but also the social circumstances for men over the next five years. “So again, that immediate impact that it was having for young men was beneficial from their perspectives.” Dr Fisher said the research was a “wake up call” and it’s time to listen to what young men need. “Young men are telling us they want guidance, inspiration, and real conversations about what it means to be a man today. It’s our responsibility to ensure they have access to diverse perspectives that support, not harm, their mental and physical wellbeing,” she said.