It’s almost impossible to open a news website without seeing Andrew Tate’s name splashed across headlines. For a while, it was easy to dismiss him as ‘just another’ influencer but parents and teachers have been opening up about the Andrew Tate Effect and his impact on teenage boys. Some teachers are seeing his so-called ideology impact boys in their classrooms from as young as eleven years old.
Andrew Tate’s growing social media popularity has led to concern that people, particularly teenage boys, are being influenced by toxic masculinity and adopting misogynistic views.
We’re looking at who Andrew Tate is and what parents should know about his potential influence on teenage boys. As a teen life coach, Andrew Tate is a topic many parents are asking about – including how to navigate the situation if you find your child showing signs of Tate’s ideology.
Table of Contents:
Who is Andrew Tate?
His Influence on Teenage Boys
How Parents Can Talk to Kids About Andrew Tate
Summary:
- Andrew Tate represents ‘toxic masculinity’. His social media profiles have gained notoriety for his outspoken commentary on masculinity. He often incorporates misogynistic comments and weaponizing gender stereotypes.
- Teachers have warned that they’re seeing a rise in misogyny in their classrooms on a daily basis. A report issued by senior police in July 2024 found that violence against women and girls has become a “national emergency”. They linked this back to the impact of influencers like Andrew Tate.
- Have an open conversation about Andrew Tate. Ask your kids if they know who he is and what their view is on their content. Parents need to promote digital literacy and understand their kid’s online activities.
Who is Andrew Tate?
Andrew Tate is often branded as representing ‘toxic masculinity’. His social media profiles have gained notoriety for his outspoken commentary on masculinity, often incorporating misogynistic comments. He suggests men are ‘naturally’ dominant and women should be subservient by weaponizing gender stereotypes.
The type of ideas Andrew Tate promotes include:
- Men shouldn’t show emotion.
- Violence against women is acceptable.
- Depression “isn’t real”.
- Women are “intrinsically lazy”.
Tate’s ‘Hustlers University Programme’ claims to teach wannabe entrepreneurs how to earn money online. He promotes it through click-bait style content. Tate presents the idea of a “successful” life by showcasing his extreme wealth, including luxury cars.
His content covers a wide spectrum of topics relating to women. Tate talks about everything from his belief in it being a husband’s duty to protect his wife to suggesting it’s a woman’s fault if she’s raped. Andrew Tate has millions of followers across multiple platforms. He’s grown a so-called community by playing on the fears of young men about their economic future.
He styles himself as a ‘maverick’ who is ‘authentic’ by suggesting the ‘system’ is against him after his YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram accounts were banned. However, his content continues to be widely circulated due to fan pages, continuing to make his toxic misogyny accessible to children of all ages.
Andrew Tate was first detained in Romania in December 2022 over allegations relating to rape and human trafficking. He was released from house arrest in August 2023. Subsequently, he has been detained on several occasions since. Tate was held overnight following police raids in August 2024.
The Andrew Tate Effect: His Influence on Teenage Boys
Research by YouGov found that one in six boys aged 6 to 15 have a positive view of Andrew Tate. While Tate’s main audience is men in their 20s and 30s, the accessibility of social media means children of all ages can access his content. 84% of boys aged 13 to 15 have heard of Andrew Tate.
Tate presents himself as a successful entrepreneur, showing a lifestyle comparable to that of an international footballer or A-list celebrity. It’s a lifestyle of yachts and sportscars that most people would think to be aspirational until you listen to what he’s saying.
The internet is full of articles and interviews of desperate parents navigating the impact of the Andrew Tate effect. They’re saying things like, “my teenager worships him. I feel I have failed as a parent”. A survey by Hope Not Hate found that 80%% of boys aged 16 to 17 have watched Tate’s content with 45% of 16 to 24-year-old men having a positive perception of him.
Teachers have warned that they’re seeing a rise in misogyny in their classrooms on a daily basis. A report issued by senior police in July 2024 found that violence against women and girls has become a “national emergency”, linking it back to the so-called Andrew Tate effect and other influencers.
How Parents Can Talk to Their Kids About Andrew Tate
Parents should know that Andrew Tate’s viral content ultimately is designed to sell subscriptions for his course. The nature of the algorithm and Tate’s aspirational content and luxury lifestyle means his videos, and those posted by his fans, can appear on almost anyone’s social media feed.
As a teen life coach, I’ve advised dozens of parents on how to address the topic of Andrew Tate – even if they don’t suspect their children are watching his content. It’s natural for parents to get defensive and find themselves attacking the message that Tate is promoting, rather than engaging with it. Part of Tate’s image is the suggestion that the ‘system’ is against him, so fighting against his maverick persona can be counterproductive.
Here are four ways parents can engage with their children about Andrew Tate:
Promote Digital Literacy
Parents need to promote digital literacy and understand their kid’s online activities, from helping them to stop procrastinating to addressing negative influences like Andrew Tate. Part of digital literacy is understanding when reactive content is being put out to promote a business or product.
Andrew Tate’s social media content is deliberately controversial to promote his subscription-based course. This lesson is a great one to teach your kids in general with many influencers being accused of fake reviews and misleading content.
Educate Your Kids
Instead of arguing about Andrew Tate, offer your kids a positive alternative to his toxic masculinity. It’s important to raise awareness for the impact of his content and views on girls, women, LGBTQ+ people, and everyday individuals. His negative content around mental health, emotional expression, and depression can impact anyone – regardless of gender or orientation.
Schools have limited resources to teach kids about these issues. We live in what’s known as a ‘post-truth’ society and kids need to understand the economies of social media. Andrew Tate profits off his content and that’s why he publishes this type of disinformation.
Talk to Your Kids About Social Media
Teenagers don’t want their parents looking over their shoulders – especially when they’re scrolling on their phones. Be open with them about social media and stay approachable. Kids, especially teenagers, are more likely to share the type of content they watch and what they’re interested in if you show a genuine interest. Show them how to block or report content they don’t want to see or that they find offensive.
Address the Elephant in the Room
Have an open conversation about Andrew Tate. Ask your kids if they know who he is and what their view is on their content. Knowing their thoughts will make it easier to navigate future conversations. Encourage your child to be open about their emotions and be a role model by showing it’s okay to be in touch with your emotions.
Navigating the Andrew Tate Effect on Teenage Boys
Are you or your child concerned about the influence of Andrew Tate? Book a free consultation to discuss ways to navigate this situation and how to improve digital literacy for teenagers.
