Signs your son is being radicalised, as ‘rape list’ found in UK secondary school

More than a year on from Netflix’s Adolescence, a new film aims to expose the real-life misogyny facing Britain’s young women.

Through a series of placards, it details the graphic sexist comments — often disguised as ‘banter’ — teenage girls from Tyneside have been forced to endure at school.

One 15-year-old shared how boys in her class had created a ‘rape list’, ranking female students based on ‘who they want to rape the most’.

Telling the BBC it made her feel ‘worthless’, she added: ‘It is frightening because you don’t know people’s real intentions.’

The video, shared with the Department for Education and Prime Minister Andy Burnham, has reached over 190,000 people and garnered hundreds of supportive comments on social media over the past three days.

‘Unfortunately accurate and shocking,’ wrote Carolyne Jeffries, while Mandy Hobson added: ‘I thought those days were over. Clearly it’s worse.’

While gender-based harassment is nothing new, 60% of UK secondary school teachers say it’s on the increase, with the majority witnessing misogynistic comments directed towards female pupils at least once a week.

Sue Davison, director of mental health charity This Life Collective, which helped create the film, blamed social media for the rise of toxic masculinity among ‘disenfranchised boys’, explaining: ‘I think the language is getting more violent and aggressive.’

It’s now easier than ever for boys to fall down the rabbit hole of extreme ideologies, so challenging radicalisation early on is vital to ensure harmful stereotypes that fuel violence against women don’t take hold.

If you’re a parent, here are the key signs to look out for.

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What can be done to prevent radicalisation in young boys?

• Improve education on gender equality.

• Increase parental awareness of online content.

• Monitor and regulate online platforms.

• Provide support systems for at-risk youth.

How boys are drawn into the ‘manosphere’

Amelia Whitworth, head of policy, campaigns and youth at Plan International UK tells Metro: ‘Harmful manosphere content doesn’t always look extreme or obvious. Misogynistic messages are often wrapped up in memes, humour, self-improvement advice and motivational content, making them much harder to spot.

‘Manosphere content taps into the very real fears and anxieties that boys may experience, then twists them to push misogynistic ideas that ignore – or outright dismiss – the challenges women and girls face.’ 

This tallies with Action Counters Terrorism’s description of the process of radicalisation, which typically ramps up in four distinct stages:

• Pre-radical: The person joins or identifies with a group or organisation

• Self-identify: The person believes and accepts the beliefs and views held by the group or organisation

• Indoctrination: The person is groomed by the group or organisation pulling them further down the pathway

• Terrorism: The person becomes involved in committing terrorist acts

Of course, the vast majority of people who hold extreme views will never reach this final stage, but that doesn’t mean the resulting behaviour doesn’t cause harm.

And according to the counter-terrorism reporting service, small changes can in certain cases quickly escalate into something altogether more dangerous.

‘Because it is a process, it means there can be “entry points” or times where it’s possible to intervene and support the person to choose a more positive pathway,’ it explains. ‘The earlier this happens the better, as it means the person can get the support they need to turn things around before it’s too late.’

The signs of misogynist radicalisation

Although no one specific sign can pinpoint radicalisation — and behavioural changes can be caused by various other issues — Educate Against Hate advises looking out for these potential indicators your child is involved in online misogynist subcultures:

• Manosphere jargon, including terms like ‘alpha male’, ‘red pill’ or ‘looksmaxxing’.

• Generalisations about women being manipulative, shallow, or only interested in money/status.

• The adoption of strict gender roles; particularly the belief women should be submissive and men should be dominant.

• Spending more time online or becoming isolated from friends and family.

• Increased frustration or anger, especially around dating, relationships, or perceived societal injustices against men.

• Victim mentality, which Amelia explains as ‘a mistaken belief that gender equality has somehow come at boys’ expense.’

• Changing role models; admiring or idolising figures who promote extremely misogynistic views while rejecting those who promote gender equality.

If you’re concerned, Amelia says it’s important to keep conversations open, as ‘when a child feels judged or lectured, they’re less likely to share what they’re seeing online.’

‘Instead, be curious and weave conversations on gender equality into everyday moments to keep things relaxed,’ she explains.

‘Ask what content they’re watching, who they follow and what they think about it. Helping young people question what they’re seeing online and understand that algorithms don’t show an objective view of the world is a great place to start.’