The Anti-Manosphere: Three Positive Influencers for Boys

As conversations about the manosphere, toxic influencers, and gender narratives heat up, it’s easy to forget there is another side to the story - role models who inspire rather than inflame. Among the noise and clickbait outrage, some creators are quietly (and not-so-quietly) offering something better: creativity, humour, generosity, intelligence , and humanity. 

These three digital voices are winning the hearts and minds of Gen Alpha and Gen Z boys by doing the unexpected: being decent, curious, and kind. 

Ryan Trahan: Challenges with Heart 

With over 13 million YouTube subscribers, Ryan Trahan has made a name for himself by doing the most with the least. His signature “penny challenge” series - where he attempts to cross entire countries starting with just one penny - has captivated young audiences since 2017. In his July 2023 version, Ryan travelled from Paris to New York City, raising over $400,000 for Water.org. 

What makes Ryan stand out? It’s not just the thrill of the challenge. It’s the combination of his energy, humility, and commitment to good causes that makes his content so powerful for young viewers, especially boys who rarely see vulnerability and ambition go hand in hand. 

Mark Rober: Making Science a Superpower 

Former NASA and Apple engineer turned YouTube science star, Mark Rober, has turned STEM into a spectacle. With around 54 million subscribers and a monthly CrunchLabs STEM subscription box, Rober uses his engineering chops to build record-breaking gadgets, think: the world’s biggest Super Soaker - and make science feel thrilling, accessible, and very, very cool. 

His secret? Rober doesn’t talk down to kids, he invites them in. “Our goal is to show kids and kids at heart how to Think Like an Engineer,” he says, “because who better to teach children engineering than childish engineers?” 

In a world where being brainy is often undervalued, Rober’s mission is a game-changer. 

TommyInnit: Growing Up Online, and Speaking Out 

At 18, Tom Simons (aka TommyInnit) had built a fanbase of 50 million across platforms thanks to his comedic, chaotic Minecraft videos. His appeal? A blend of humour, relatability, and genuine enthusiasm that resonated with boys around the world. 

But Tommy’s content has evolved and so has he. Today, he’s one of the few major male influencers willing to publicly challenge the darker corners of the internet, from misogyny to harmful algorithms. 

“You’re only two clicks away from a fun Minecraft video that’s warm and friendly to a guy saying terrible things about women,” he says. And he’s right. 

Tommy now regularly calls out hypocrisy in the influencer space, opens up about mental health, and speaks directly to the boys in his audience with empathy and honesty. His message? Being a good person is cooler than pretending to be tough. 

Redefining Role Models 

Not every boy is falling into algorithmic rabbit holes. Many are tuning into creators who reflect a more positive, grounded version of masculinity - one that celebrates curiosity, kindness, and growth. Ryan, Mark, and Tommy aren’t perfect. But they’re real. And they’re exactly the kind of role models the next generation of boys needs. 

Because maybe the antidote to the manosphere isn’t another lecture, but just a few really good guys showing up in their feeds. 

For more on TommyInnit, see The Times 29/04/2025: “TommyInnit: the young British antidote to Andrew Tate.” 

To find out how your brand can stay ahead of the curve, contact our team today.