Latest news with #MovemberInstituteofMen'sHealth
Sky News AU
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
The Project stars warn Aussie parents about their sons turning to notorious toxic masculinity influencers like Andrew Tate
Channel 10's The Project stars have warned Australian parents about the trend of young men turning to notorious toxic masculinity influencers like Andrew Tate and manosphere culture. Georgie Tunny, Susie Youssef and Waleed Aly shared their concerns on Thursday, a day after a Movember report found most young men in Australia (68 per cent) are turning to toxic masculinity influencers like the British-American former kickboxer for motivation. Tate has faced legal charges, including human trafficking and rape, which he denies, and his controversial commentary has resulted in his expulsion from various social media platforms amid concerns he actively promotes misogyny. About 27 per cent of the men who regularly engage with content like Tate's feel "worthlessness" despite also reporting feeling motivated while watching the content, according to the Movember report. Tunny told her co-panellists she did not know if being the parent of a young boy or a young girl navigating the world was more "terrifying". "You are constantly being told to be careful, you've got to protect yourself, and 'men bad', 'boys bad,' and they are the enemy in a way," she said. "But then, is it more terrifying to be parents to a young boy who's got the same images and rhetoric flying at him?" The 34-year-old questioned where "the positive role models" for young men are in society. "Why are they (influencers) constantly calling out the negative ones?" she said. Youssef, 41, conceded there are not enough positive male role models who are masculine as queer children and those transitioning question who they are being influenced by. "There's such a broad spectrum here toward gender and sexuality, and it's heartening in a way to see young men questioning the role models they've been provided with," she said. "But also, where are the positive male role models that are masculine? "What does that look like? I don't begin to have the answers but it does feel like there's a gap here." Aly said Australian online culture does not have a positive way of talking about masculinity. "Does our culture have a way of talking about masculinity that is celebrating it?" he asked. "I think the answer to that right now is 'no'." The Movember Institute of Men's Health surveyed more than 3,000 men aged 16 to 25 in Australia, the UK, and the US to see how masculinity influencers' content impacted their lives. On Wednesday, Movember men's health research global director Dr Zac Seidler said they largely generated feelings of distress. "They tell us that they feel empowered, like they're enjoying and feeling motivated by this content, and yet those who watch more are fundamentally far more distressed than those who don't," Dr Seilder told ABC News. In addition, Melbourne's Monash University Professor Steven Roberts and Dr Stephanie Wescott recently analysed more than 2,200 posts by Tate on his website and the Telegram messaging platform from 2019 to 2024. The experts found about 90 per cent of Tate's posts on his website and Telegram account focused "on advancing particular projections of what he views as the ideal manifestation of manhood and masculinity." Tate also attacked boys and men who don't fit "his very rigid interpretation of masculinity" more commonly than he projected sexist views on women.
ABC News
23-04-2025
- Health
- ABC News
AUDIO: Most young Aussie men turning to masculinity influencers
More than two-thirds of young Australian men are turning to masculinity influencers on social media - with warnings it's impacting their health. The Movember Institute of Men's Health surveyed more than three-thousand men aged between sixteen and twenty-five across Australia, the UK and US. It found 68 per cent of Australian men are engaging with online masculinity content, ranging from fitness to relationships. ABC NewsRadio's Thomas Oriti spoke with Dr Zac Seidler, the Global Director of Men's Health Research, about the findings.
ABC News
22-04-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Most young Aussie men are turning to masculinity influencers, and it's impacting their mental health
Online "masculinity" content is mainstream and wide-ranging — far broader than the toxic Andrew Tate style manosphere or incel culture touched on in the hit It includes fitness and wellbeing, relationship and career advice, personal discipline and self-improvement. A new report out today shows more than two thirds (68 per cent) of young Australian men engage with masculinity influencers and it's shaping their identity. The Movember Institute of Men's Health surveyed more than 3,000 men aged 16 to 25 across Australia, the UK and the US to find out what impact such content was having on their lives. "We came in with a health lens. That is the key here. No one has done that," said Dr Zac Seidler, global director of men's health research at Movember. He said getting rid of content on social media because it was "dangerous" was unhelpful, as there was no causal evidence to suggest that was the answer. Young men who regularly engage with masculinity influencers: Have more optimism about their personal futures Have worse mental health outcomes Report higher levels of engagement in risky health behaviours Place greater importance on self-reliance and emotional control Prioritise ambition, popularity and wealth in friends over trust and kindness Hold more traditional attitudes towards women and their roles in relationships Report higher levels of frustration around dating The influencer 'trap' The report revealed young men were turning to masculinity influencers for motivation and inspiration, which could be attributed to feelings of "emptiness, isolation" and "shame" for young men, Dr Seidler said. Photo shows An illustration of a dad sitting outside in the bush with his young son, who is holding onto him. There are things we can do as parents and adults to nurture little boys in our lives and help them recognise toxic attitudes they'll be exposed to, particularly on social media. Twenty-seven per cent of those who follow masculinity influencers experienced feelings of worthlessness, compared to 23 per cent of men who didn't actively engage with them. Dr Seidler said it was a double-edged sword. "They tell us that they feel empowered, like they're enjoying and feeling motivated by this content, and yet those who watch more are fundamentally far more distressed than those who don't," Dr Seidler said. Nick Robinson, a 26-year-old who works on a farm in rural WA, has experienced anxiety since he was a young kid, and said he's susceptible to some of the standards set by male influencers. Nick, 26, works on a farm in rural WA. ( Supplied: Nick Robinson ) "Comparison is the biggest thief of joy, and I stand by that forever," he said. "There's been periods where I've used exercise as a coping mechanism. I'd go to the gym three times a day, before work, after work, and at night. There was a period of my life when I was very unwell doing that." Masculinity content followers are also twice as likely to engage in risky behaviours like taking steroids or diet pills to achieve the perfect body. For Mo, 19, it was signing up to an influencer's entrepreneur program, which cost him $1,000 and got him nowhere closer to his dream. Mo, 19, was lured into a scheme with the promise of getting rich quick. ( ABC News: Lucas Hill ) "[Influencers] have this crazy lifestyle: rented-out Lamborghinis, rented-out Rolls Royces and Rolexes. They try to sell you this big dream that you can get rich within a month, within a week. You'll be a millionaire," he said. Dr Seidler said by not engaging with young men about why they're leaning on this type of content, we're overlooking their "unmet needs" and won't be able to offer an antidote. The problem with defining masculinity Almost three-quarters of men who lean on masculinity influencers believed "men need to be stoic to control their emotions" (76 per cent) compared to 57 per cent of those who do not engage with influencers, while 67 per cent of men engaging with influencers believed women should fulfil tradition roles as wives and mothers (compared to 43 per cent of non-engaged men). Jack Toohey is the creative and production manager from Teach Us Consent, an organisation focused on consent and sexuality education at schools. He said masculinity influencer content could be harmful because it limited how men expressed themselves. "We are bombarded with all these things that are continuing to restrict what masculinity is, but really, when you can take a step outside that, you realise that we can show more emotions than just anger. We can be strong without being domineering. We can be kind and caring without being controlling," he said. Nathan McCallum, 36, is a content creator from the NSW central coast who started posting on social media back in 2011, focusing on fitness, fashion and heavy metal. He now has close to one million followers across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and rails against the idea of masculinity being a "black and white construct". "It's fluid. The way I try to be a man is by being a kind person that does what I want to do without harming others. I'm unapologetically myself, and I lift heavy weights and I listen to heavy metal, but also paint my nails pretty colours, and I like fashion," Nathan said. Loading Instagram content Meanwhile, Nick Robinson has decided to turn his mental health recovery into something positive by sharing his rural life on social media. Since 2020, he has created his own content to discuss how vulnerability is a part of what it means to be a man. "I suppose I've tapped into that and made an impact with those young guys that haven't had any other role model to look at, other than drinking and working hard," he said. Loading Instagram content A 'wake-up call' for us all Dr Seidler said the key antidote to some of the more harmful concepts around masculinity and the way men view women was for honest, open conversations beyond the social media space so that men could reflect on whether this content was helpful or harmful to their identity. "Everyone is obsessed with the radical, misogynistic, homophobic tropes of the world. It is a red herring. There is so much that sits beneath this iceberg, and lots of it is innocuous. Lots of it is seemingly an entry point into understanding dating, into understanding finance, into understanding working out that that is in line with men's values and is very useful. The problem is the algorithm," he said. He said while we must demand more of young men, we also need to regulate social media platforms, as well as improve media literacy. This report should be a "wake-up call" and we need to start listening to young men, he said. "Bring back the town hall … we want to discuss the Beauty and the Beast of what's happening for our young guys," Dr Seidler said. "We're coming into these conversations with an air of alarmism, it immediately puts you on the back foot. Believing that you have a desire to understand their lives from a non-judgemental, curious perspective will open many, many doors." Teach Us Consent has been awarded funding from the Department of Social Services to create and distribute social media content targeting 16 to 25-year-olds and will be rolled out next month. Mr Toohey said social media was fundamentally a health issue, like consuming junk food. "We just need to get back to basics and teach the basics about how to be a good human and how to live a fulfilling life. It's as simple as that," he said.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Don't Drop the Ball: Movember Urges Men to ‘Know Thy Nuts' This Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
TORONTO, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Testicular Cancer Awareness Month is here, and Movember – the world's leading men's health charity – is asking men to get hands-on with their health during its annual 'Know Thy Nuts' campaign. The ballsy initiative is an important reminder that testicular cancer remains the number one cancer among young men. It also highlights the importance, ease, and benefits of regularly checking in on the family jewels. Despite its prevalence, too many Canadian young men remain in the dark about testicular cancer, with 74% of young men claiming not to know their age group is at risk. A 2024 Movember survey found that: Most Canadian young men (75%) do not know that testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men aged 15-40. Only 22 per cent of Canadian young men feel very confident they'd be able to check their nuts/testicles for irregularities and shockingly, 1 in 4 Canadian young men shared they've never checked their pair. While 70 per cent of Canadian young men say they would make a doctor's appointment if they noticed something abnormal with their nuts/testicles, only 24 per cent say they would share it with their partner and even less (18%) would share it with a family member they trust. Nearly 1 in 4 (23%) of Canadian young men would not visit a doctor unless their nuts/testicles were in extreme pain, with a staggering 35% saying they wouldn't be due to embarrassment. The reality? Since 2020, approximately 75,000 new testicular cancer cases have been reported worldwide each year, with more than 11,000 men dying from the disease annually. Yet, when caught early, the disease is highly treatable. It's Time to Get Hands-On with Your Health The good news? Checking yourself is quick and easy. Movember's cheeky 'Know Thy Nuts' Guide shows men exactly how to check their pair, what's normal, and what to do if something feels off."Testicular Cancer Awareness Month is about taking control of your health. The simplest action that young men can take is to get to know their nuts. That way, if they notice any changes over time, they can get it checked by a doctor. When caught early, testicular cancer is highly treatable," said Professor Simon Rice, Global Director of the Movember Institute of Men's Health. The Movember survey found that 84% of men who visited its 'Know Thy Nuts' site felt confident in knowing how to perform self-checks afterwards – a simple step that could save lives. Raising Awareness, Funding Research, and Changing Outcomes Since 2008, Movember has invested nearly AUD $640 into biomedical research projects focused on prostate cancer and testicular cancer. As one of the largest NGOs investing in testicular cancer research and programs, Movember has funded over 25 testicular cancer projects worldwide. By working alongside leading cancer researchers and men with lived experience, Movember is driving progress to improve detection, treatment, and outcomes for those diagnosed. This April, don't drop the ball. Take a few minutes to check your pair, learn what's normal for you, and encourage other guys to do the same. Visit and help spread the word. For those navigating a testicular cancer diagnosis, Movember's Nuts & Bolts hub – co-designed with survivors – offers support, advice, and community. Survey MethodologyThis study was fielded by Dynata who surveyed a total of 4,000 young males aged as young as 16 years old and up to 40 years across 4 different markets – Australia, Canada, UK and the USA – from 23rd February 2024, through to 4th March 2024. The survey results were collected based upon 1,000 Nat Rep Males, across each market. About Movember:Twenty-two years ago, a bristly idea was born in Australia, igniting a movement that would transcend borders and change the face of men's health forever. The movement, known as Movember, united people from all walks of life, sparking important conversations, raising vital funds, and shattering the silence surrounding men's health issues. Since 2003, Movember has challenged the status quo, shaken up men's health research, and transformed the way health services reach and support men – taking on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention with unwavering determination. Movember has raised over AUD 1.7 billion for men's health, thanks to their passionate community. These critical funds have delivered more than 1,300 men's health projects around the world, funding some of the largest prostate cancer registries based on the real-life experiences of hundreds of thousands of men. Since taking on mental health and suicide prevention in 2006, Movember has emphasised the importance of better social connections, early recognition of poor mental health, and how clinicians can better respond to men in distress. They want to ensure that more men know what to do when mental health issues appear and that their supporters are better prepared to step in when needed. Movember will continue championing new research, cutting-edge treatments, and healthy behaviours. They will also continue advocating for inclusive, gender-responsive healthcare systems that are tailored to the unique needs of men, women, and gender-diverse people from a range of cultural backgrounds. In doing so, they hope to forge a future where barriers to healthy living are overcome, stigmas are removed, and everyone has an equal opportunity to live a long, healthy life. By improving men's health, Movember aims to have a profoundly positive impact on women, families, and society. To learn more, please visit A photo accompanying this announcement is available at CONTACT: For media requests and interview opportunities with a testicular cancer survivor and/or Movember subject matter experts, please contact: Taffin Sekulin, PR Manager of Canada in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Young, fit' Pembrokeshire man opens up on shock cancer battle
A man has opened up about his testicular cancer battle and the importance of early detection ahead of Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. Neil Thomas, from Lawrenny, was living in Doha, Qatar, when he discovered a lump at the age of 35. The lump in his testicle was confirmed to be a tumour the day after he discovered it, in April 2019. Within seven days he had surgery to remove his left testicle. Neil said: "It was all very quick and they followed it (the surgery) up with two rounds of chemo due to a biopsy revealing it was the fast-growing cell and they were worried it had spread. (Image: Movember Institute of Men's Health) "There was trauma and worry for me, my wife and my family. "It was something we dealt with, not easily, but a positive outset helped - it was tough. "You don't forget it, particularly those first four weeks and I really struggled to process what was happening, I was worried all the time." His mother had encouraged him and his brother to do self-checks after she experienced breast cancer but Neil was unaware that testicular cancer tends to be a young man's disease. He said: "It effecting young men is super important as that was the biggest shock for me. "In my head, cancer was something that happens later in life and doesn't happen to relatively fit young men. (Image: Movember Institute of Men's Health) "I would advise people to get any concerns checked out ASAP. "Finding it early allowed it to be treated swiftly and not allow it to spread." Neil is not alone in his surprise, with Movember's 2024 survey showing that 61 per cent of young men claim not to know that their age group is at risk. The report also shows that 17 per cent of young men feel unsure about how to check their testicles, and 15 per cent never do. When asked why participants would not see a doctor if they found something abnormal, 18 per cent cited concerns it may be something more serious. Professor Simon Rice, global director of the Movember Institute of Men's Health, said: "Testicular Cancer Awareness Month is about taking control of your health. "The simplest action that young men can take is to get to know their nuts. "That way, if they notice any changes over time, they can get it checked by a doctor. "When caught early, testicular cancer is highly treatable." Movember is encouraging more men to 'Know Thy Nuts', a simple life-saving habit that helps men get familiar with what's normal and what to do if something feels off, so that they can act fast if something changes. A recent survey found that 84 per cent of visitors to the guide feel more confident about performing self-checks.
