Tackling Extremist Misogyny in the Digital Age
Dr Mihaela Popa-Wyatt urges policymakers to confront gender based ideological violence in the digital age.
As misogynistic ideologies gain traction online, , Philosophy lecturer at The University of Manchester, is calling for UK policymakers to recognise gender-based ideological violence as a form of extremism under the the UK鈥檚 counter-extremism policy.
Dr Popa-Wyatt, who contributed key evidence to the advocating for gender as a protected characteristic, warns that dangerous gaps remain. Her research shows extremist misogyny is not only harmful but organised, aiming to reverse gender equality through coercion, violence, and radicalisation of disaffected young men.
In , Popa-Wyatt defines misogynistic extremism as 鈥�content, acts, and practices that enforce patriarchal control through male supremacy, often via dehumanisation, intimidation, and violence.鈥� Her findings distinguish this from everyday misogyny, emphasising the ideological, systematic nature of male supremacy, which uses the rhetoric of domination and coercion to reassert patriarchal control.
Online platforms, particularly incel forums, the manosphere, and influencer ecosystems, were found to have amplified this extremism. Recommender algorithms and generative AI enable the spread of hate content, while figures like Elliot Rodger and Andrew Tate shape a dangerous narrative of male dominance.
To counter this, Dr Popa-Wyatt urges reform of the Prevent strategy to address radicalisation in digital spaces, invest in interventions that offer positive alternatives, and support young people with empowering narratives. This involves developing digital infrastructure and partnerships capable of tackling radicalisation in less-visible online environments.
鈥�When misogyny becomes ideological and appeals to violence, it qualifies as a form of extremism,鈥� states Dr Mihaela Popa-Wyatt. 鈥�Failing to address the rise of extreme misogyny with a holistic approach could risk further alienating men and boys into incel spaces.
Many young people are drawn in through digital cultures that frame misogyny, racism, or conspiracism as forms of empowerment or truth-telling. Without a clear understanding of these ecosystems and the emotional appeal they hold, practitioners will be ill-equipped to intervene effectively.
These recommendations arrive ahead of 鈥檚 October 2025 review, which will consider new obligations for tech companies. Dr Popa-Wyatt stresses that gender-based violence must be central to those discussions.
Read more about Dr Mihaela Popa-Wyatt鈥檚 and recent research, .