In the modern digital age, social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and more are incredibly important to teenagers. We gravitate towards these apps for entertainment. We also find steadfast political opinions. They provide in-depth analyses of international news and current issues. As young people, we are susceptible to the influence of nearly anything we see or hear. Our environments, online and in person, are vital to our behavioral development and the opinions we will carry into adulthood. This is why it is important for social media platforms to monitor the content they share. If they don’t, adolescents can easily be influenced to support and share the views of dangerous micro-celebrities. For example Andrew Tate and many more.

Ex-kickboxer Andrew Tate is a 35-year-old social media influencer and self-described misogynist best known for his videos offering advice to men, particularly on how to interact with women. In one especially explicit video, he advised viewers to “Slap, slap, grab, choke, shut up b*tch, sex.” Some other infamous remarks of his include him stating that victims of rape should “bear responsibility” and that those who seek mental health support are “useless.” Tate also offered online courses offering financial help and advice on cryptocurrency, dubbed Hustler’s University. Recently he and his brother were arrested but his toxic masculinity message is still at large.
As I stated before, young people are essentially products of our environment.

With Tate’s high levels of online exposure and no end in sight, the threat he poses to today’s youth–specifically male youth–is huge. Tate has marketed himself to young men as a role model; someone they should aspire to be like. He spoon-feeds them dangerous and sexist rhetoric. In a situation like this, many ask: “what can we do about it?” I said we young people are products of our environments, and I meant it. I believe that combating the culture Tate, and misogynists at large, creates a better future. If your classmate, brother, friend, or son is supporting misogynistic beliefs, say something. Don’t turn a blind eye; help educate and do not tolerate the world Andrew Tate is trying to build. Banning him on social media was an excellent and important move, but change cannot be made unless we all do something about it.