Documentary by ARD exposing risks associated with "manfluencers"

In the digital age, influencers have become a significant part of our lives, shaping opinions and guiding behaviour. However, a concerning trend has emerged, known as "manfluencers". These figures, such as Hamza97 in the UK and Michael Wendler in the German-speaking region, promote traditionalist and sometimes misogynistic views under the guise of masculinity workshops.

Hamza, a popular figure in the so-called "manosphere", is a prime example. With a million followers on YouTube, he teaches boys how to become real men. However, his teachings are rooted in a hostile ideology towards women. The red pill, as promoted by Hamza, represents a return to traditional gender roles, in contrast to the blue pill which stands for equality between men and women.

The documentary "Shut Up, Bitch! The Battle for Masculinity", airing today at 10:50 PM on ARD, delves into the impact of manfluencers. It follows the story of a young man named Alex from Munich, who was initially interested in harmless fitness videos but was pushed content about the relationship between women and men by algorithms. Alex, who chooses not to show his face in the documentary, found answers to the question "What kind of man do I want to be?" on social media. Unfortunately, he was influenced by provocative rhetoric, leading him to take the red pill and change his attitude towards the world, including politically.

The documentary also reveals how democratic forces have neglected to address young men, and now they are paying the price for this neglect. Right-wing forces are exploiting a gap created by other parties by using misogynistic narratives, according to political advisor Johannes Hillje in the documentary.

Moreover, the documentary shows how misogynistic narratives are used in election campaigns and pose a growing threat to equality and democracy. Feminism and female self-determination are dismissed as lies, and violence against women is advocated by manfluencers like Hamza.

Influencers on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube provide simple answers to the question "What kind of man do I want to be?" and attract millions of followers. It is crucial to be aware of this trend and to promote a healthy and inclusive understanding of masculinity.

Tune in to "Shut Up, Bitch! The Battle for Masculinity" today at 10:50 PM on ARD to learn more about the impact of manfluencers and the fight for gender equality.