{"id":33,"date":"2023-12-17T02:18:59","date_gmt":"2023-12-17T02:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cusjc.ca\/mrp\/social-media-masculinity\/?p=33"},"modified":"2024-01-19T00:24:51","modified_gmt":"2024-01-19T00:24:51","slug":"performing-masculinity-young-men-searching-online-for-male-role-models-may-find-damaging-toxic-masculinity-instead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cusjc.ca\/mrp\/social-media-masculinity\/2023\/12\/17\/performing-masculinity-young-men-searching-online-for-male-role-models-may-find-damaging-toxic-masculinity-instead\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 1: Sneako’s scandal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted life online. For many young men, a demographic already vulnerable to feelings of loneliness or isolation, the online world became a place to find community and belonging.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, social beliefs around gender roles continued to shift, leaving some young men unsure of where they stood, according to masculinity researchers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some social media creators seized the opportunity to educate and destigmatize, teaching followers about the importance of mental healthcare and creating safe spaces for discussion.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others, like YouTuber Andrew Tate realised there was a gap they could fill by appealing to a demographic of confused or lonely young men.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even better, the groundwork had already been laid out for them. There was an audience of young men who were ready, eager even, to hear what they had to say.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, Tate\u2019s ideology is appearing offline. Teachers, like Amanda (name changed for privacy reasons), report students discussing misogynistic content in the classroom.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cKids would be kind of joking about Andrew Tate, and a lot of the girls in the class would be visibly uncomfortable,\u201d said Amanda, who substituted for a combined grade\u00a0seven and eight class in Belleville, Ontario. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt just kind of got to a point where I thought, okay, I really need to address this because I don’t want them thinking that he’s a good person,\u201d said Amanda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In September of 2023, one video of an interaction between red pill streamer Sneako and his young fans took the internet by storm.  Red pill is a term used within the manosphere, a collection of online spaces where extreme misogyny is normalized or encouraged. Here, it refers to Sneako’s misogynist and transphobic beliefs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Sneako poses for a selfie with one of his young fans. Screenshot taken from X via @fearedbuck.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the video it’s a good, old-fashioned, night at the ballpark. Holding tightly to beverages and balancing snacks from the concession stand, fans make their way through the bustling stadium at a Miami Marlins baseball game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among them, a group of young boys is clamouring for the attention of their hero. If they’re lucky they might get a chance to say hi and come away with a story to tell their friends at school tomorrow.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They’re not there for an autograph from their favourite athlete on the Marlins, however. Instead,  Sneako (government name Nico Kenn De Balinthazy), is holding a quick meet and greet with his young fans.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sneako posts video content on the streaming site Rumble, and is known for promoting racist, homophobic, and sexist views. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the video, taken September 16th<\/sup><\/a>, a young boy poses for a selfie with Sneako.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bouncing up and down with glee and grinning ear-to-ear the boy yells, \u201cAndrew Tate! F*ck the women! F*ck the women!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting in, Sneako says, \u201cNo, no, we love the women.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The young boy responds, his eyes carefully watching Sneako for approval, \u201cWe love women but not, like, transgenders?\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two other young boys jump in to add, \u201cF*ck gays,\u201d and, \u201cAll gays should die.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A slightly stunned but smug Sneako faces the camera, asking with a smirk, \u201cWhat have I done?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the video caused mass outrage from viewers, Sneako posted to his X account<\/a> (formerly Twitter) writing, \u201cThey are children and obviously joking. This is how I was at 12. If it sounds egregious to you, blame the rainbow flags in their classroom.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sneako then shifted the blame to the media for emasculating men and forcing an \u201cobvious agenda,\u201d before ending the post with, \u201cBOYS WILL BE BOYS.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

They are children and obviously joking.
This is how I was at 12.

But If it sounds egregious to you, blame the \ud83c\udf08 flags in their classrooms.

Blame the media for emasculating men.

Its YOUR fault for forcing an obvious agenda.

Not these kids.

BOYS WILL BE BOYS https:\/\/t.co\/ois8ELO1Wb<\/a><\/p>— SNEAKO (@sneako) September 18, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>