Is your kid saying sigma?
Pay attention. Here's why...
What the Netflix show Adolescence gets right — and what you need to know to keep your kid out of the manosphere.
Last week I watched the new Netflix show Adolescence and, like most parents and teachers, I was both glued to the screen and quietly panicking. The series pulls back the curtain on the secret language and dangerous ideologies circulating through gaming chats, YouTube feeds, and TikTok trends. And the scariest part? Many kids don’t even know what they’re being pulled into.
If you’ve heard your child casually throw out words like “sigma,” “NPC,” “based,” or “Chad,” this post is for you. Because beneath the memes and internet slang lies something far more serious: an ideology that’s gaining traction with boys and teens at alarming speed.
Let’s talk about the manosphere…what it is, why it’s so sticky, and how to recognize when your kid is being influenced by it.
What is the Manosphere?
The manosphere is a loose network of online communities centered around rigid, hypermasculine worldviews. It includes everything from men’s self-improvement forums to more extreme groups like incels (involuntary celibates) and “red pill” influencers who frame women, feminism, and empathy as threats to male success.
At its core, the manosphere thrives on:
Gender essentialism (men = logical, women = emotional/manipulative)
Power hierarchies (alpha vs. beta)
Emotional suppression (vulnerability = weakness)
Mistrust of women
Victim narratives (e.g., “society is rigged against men”)
Influencers to Know (and Avoid)
These figures often show up on your kid’s feed long before you hear about them at the dinner table:
Andrew Tate – Former kickboxer turned misogynistic influencer. Banned from multiple platforms but still wildly popular.
Sneako – YouTube/TikTok content creator who veers between self-help and open hostility toward women.
Hamza Ahmed – Fitness Youtuber popular among teen boys. Preaches discipline, stoicism, and self-help, but also often dips into red pill talking points.
Rollo Tomassi – Author of The Rational Male, often cited as a “red pill bible.” Focuses on sexual strategy, power dynamics, and male superiority.
Fresh & Fit – A podcast that promotes harsh “truths” about dating, dominance, and gender roles.
Jordan Peterson – Less extreme, but widely cited in manosphere spaces for his anti-feminist takes and traditional gender commentary.
Adin Ross – Gaming streamer with a large Gen Z following who frequently platforms red pill influencers like Andrew Tate and Sneako. Acts as a gateway by normalizing toxic ideas under the guise of humor and entertainment.
Ben Shapiro / Matt Walsh – Conservative commentators whose content sometimes overlaps with manosphere rhetoric and has been widely cited in the manosphere
Glossary of Manosphere-Inspired Terms
Here are some words you might hear kids using — sometimes as jokes, sometimes seriously. All are worth paying attention to.
Sigma – A “lone wolf” male who’s supposedly above everyone else, even alphas. Glorifies emotional detachment and isolation.
Alpha/Beta – Describes dominant (alpha) vs. submissive (beta) men. Reinforces toxic hierarchies of masculinity.
Chad/Stacy – Stereotypically attractive, popular people. Often resented by those who feel rejected or overlooked.
Red Pill – “Waking up” to the belief that society is biased against men, especially by feminism. A gateway to misogyny.
Black Pill – The belief that nothing can change your status in life—especially if you’re not attractive or rich. Promotes hopelessness and resentment.
Doomer – Someone who’s given up on life, love, or the future. Often overlaps with black pill ideology.
NPC – Short for “non-playable character.” Used to insult people as unoriginal, conformist, or mindless.
Cope – A dismissive term for when someone expresses emotion or tries to explain their feelings. Implies weakness.
Seethe – Used to mock someone who’s visibly upset or angry.
Mald – Mad + bald. A mocking term meant to exaggerate and ridicule someone’s anger or frustration.
Looksmaxxing – The obsessive pursuit of physical self-improvement as a way to gain social status or romantic success.
Mewing – A viral facial “enhancement” trend involving tongue posture. Promoted as a way to sharpen your jawline and become more attractive.
Mogging – Slang for “dominating” or “outshining” another man; usually in terms of looks, status, or strength. Used in phrases like “he mogged me” (he made me look inferior).
High-Value Man/Woman – A label for people deemed worthy based on appearance, money, and adherence to gender roles.
Femcel / Pick-me – Slurs for women. “Femcel” for involuntarily celibate; “Pick-me” for women who seek male approval.
Tradwife – A term used to glorify women who reject feminism and embrace traditional gender roles.
Simp – A guy who is “too nice” to women or stands up for them. Used to shame kindness or respect in relationships.
White Knight – Another insult for men who defend women. Implies weakness or desperation for female approval.
Based – Originally meant “unapologetically truthful,” but often used to praise edgy, offensive, or controversial opinions—especially those that reinforce toxic beliefs.
Check out this article on Vice for even more.
Not all kids who use these words understand their origins or deeper meaning — but even “joking” use can open doors to darker content.
What to Do if Your Kid Says These Words
Here’s how to respond without shutting them down or pushing them further in.
1. Stay curious, not confrontational.
Instead of: “Where did you hear that awful word?”
Try: “Huh…what does that word mean to you?”
Kids often parrot language they don’t fully understand. Keep the tone curious and open.
2. Ask what they like about it.
“What’s appealing about that idea?”
“Do you ever feel like people don’t see the real you?”
Often, these terms are appealing because they give kids a feeling of power, identity, or belonging — especially if they feel rejected or insecure.
3. Offer better role models.
Introduce figures who embody confidence and kindness.
Uncle Iroh (Avatar)
Keanu Reeves
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Samwise Gamgee
Real-life coaches, teachers, or family members
Show them that strength can look calm, respectful, and emotionally grounded.
4. Watch media with them.
Sit in on a few YouTube videos or TikToks. Then ask:
“Do you agree with that?”
“What do you think he means by that?”
“How do you think that message makes people feel?”
You’re not policing — you’re building critical thinking.
5. Normalize emotional expression.
Tell your kid:
“It’s strong to talk about your feelings.”
“You don’t have to be the toughest person in the room to be respected.”
“Real confidence is quiet and kind.”
6. Look for the why.
If your kid is drawn to manosphere content, ask:
Are they feeling lonely?
Do they feel rejected?
Are they craving respect or connection?
Often, these ideologies sneak in when kids are looking for answers to questions they don’t know how to ask.
How to Protect Your Kid From the Manosphere
Even if your kid hasn’t used these terms yet, here are ways to proactively safeguard them:
Teach media literacy early. Don’t just restrict — equip. Help them analyze and question content.
Talk about healthy masculinity. Reframe strength to include kindness, vulnerability, and integrity.
Create space for hard feelings. Anger, shame, fear — they all need room to breathe so they don’t get redirected into resentment.
Keep the door open. Your kid may encounter these ideas. Make sure they know they can always come to you — no shame, no lecture.
Final Thoughts
The manosphere preys on loneliness, insecurity, and silence. The best antidote? Connection, curiosity, and open conversation.
Kids don’t need to be “alpha” or “sigma.”
They need to be seen. To feel like they matter. To know there’s a place for them in a world that values compassion and courage just as much as confidence.
And they need adults who aren’t afraid to talk about it.
Other Resources
Understanding Manosphere Emojis - a guide for parents & educators
Talking to your sons about Andrew Tate and the 'manosphere'
Learn to Decode the Secret Language of the Incel Subculture
What does the term ‘incel’ mean?