If you have been on social media within the last year, I do not doubt that you have heard of the phenomenon by the name of Andrew Tate. The influencer, who originally rose to fame as a kickboxing world champion, has made a platform meant to ‘uplift men’ by bringing down women. He speaks about hitting and choking women, and blames rape victims, saying they must ‘bear responsibility’ for the attacks against them. Andrew Tate, and other influencers like him, institute the ideas of misogyny into the minds of young, impressionable men. 

Tate’s primary audience is teenage boys. According to GoodRx, the human brain is not finished developing until around age 25. Tate’s toxic and misogynistic views affect how these teenage boys see the world, particularly how they perceive and treat women. To these boys, Tate seems like an example of what a man ‘should’ look and act like, living in a mansion, driving shiny cars and ‘getting women’. 

In December 2022, Tate and his brother were arrested on charges of human trafficking, organized crimes and rape in Romania. Many of his fans turned to the internet with either support for Tate, or denial that he was rightfully arrested. These young men that look up to Tate believe that he can do no wrong, and that is extremely dangerous. If their idol is committing heinous crimes against women, like rape and violence, it is encouraging these fans to do the same as they believe there is nothing wrong with what they are doing.

We need to realize that this is not an issue that is just on social media. Tate’s ideas and influence over these children are affecting people’s everyday lives. The majority of Tate’s fans are still learning and growing. Having such a terrible influence only worsens the development of these kids, and puts them in a place where they could ruin their own lives or others.

It is terrifying to see influencers like Tate rise to fame. As a society, we need to question who we are promoting and why we are enabling them.