Did you know?
In July 2022, there were more google searches for Andrew Tate than for Donald Trump or Kim Kardashian. As Tate is currently in prison while police further investigate his crimes, it might be assumed that his influence has diminished. This does not appear to be the case though, and his racist, misogynistic and homophobic views are still very much available to children and teens online. When asked, boys who watch his material feel ‘it’s not as bad as people say’. So what can we do to counteract this influence?
Be in the know
Let children and teens know they can talk to you about what they are watching and what they’ve seen. It can help to start a conversation with an anecdote such as ‘A friend’s son saw…’ to introduce your worries about what’s out there. It can also be useful to get online and engage with the environment they’re in – Tiktok is a good place to start. That way you can assess the risks for yourself. Many children and teens seem super tech savvy, but often they know a lot less than we realise, so show them how to block things if they’ve seen something that upsets them.
Listen & question
Most boys don’t watch Andrew Tate content because of his racist, misogynistic or homophobic views. They watch it because he has great cars, promotes a lifestyle they aspire to and – crucially – he makes them feel seen and heard. It’s therefore important to do the same. Listen to what they say without judgement, avoid the temptation to lecture, and ask questions that encourage them to see a different perspective rather than jumping in to argue. Pick your time for this type of conversation – maybe while you’re driving or walking so you are side by side.
Offer resources
A counsellor at Kooth recommends that young people run content through the filter of “would I say this to someone I respect in person?”. Kooth can be a source of information and advice for young people who are experiencing difficult feelings because of what they’ve seen or heard. Another app that can support teens’ mental health and wellbeing is Luna. Links for these are below. Last, but not least, it can be useful to get your teen to watch the 2020 Netflix docu-drama ‘The Social Dilemma’, which shows the impact of social media algorithms.