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Funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Cyberheroes aims to prevent gender-based cyberviolence against women and 2ELGBTQI+ people by working with young boys who may be exposed to and influenced by manosphere content. The program is embedded in their communities through the active involvement of young male allies.

Seven streamers will host a series of four live workshops on their respective channels to explore key themes related to cyberviolence and masculinity. Topics to be addressed across these sessions include:

• The importance of hobbies
• Loneliness and social isolation
• Coping with rejection
• Algorithmic literacy

The workshops are: 

The workshops took place in February and March 2026.

This educational guide is designed to equip parents, youth workers, and both teaching and non-teaching school staff with the tools to recognize early warning signs that may lead to cyberviolence.

Because boys who engage with manosphere content often already internalize certain norms of hegemonic masculinity before encountering these spaces, early intervention is essential. This guide therefore aims to support the boys in your life so they are less likely to adopt manosphere narratives or reproduce sexist, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, or lesbophobic attitudes and behaviours.

The guide focuses on four key objectives:

• Challenging stereotypes and biases related to masculinity
• Building emotional skills
• Strengthening social skills
• Developing digital literacy

Cyberheroes has created a research report that digs into how the manosphere shapes gender-based cyberviolence, highlighting what puts youth at risk, what can protect them, and how we can step in effectively. The goal is to curb its influence by engaging directly with boys aged 14 to 17 and working in partnership with the networks around them, including government, schools, families, and youth service professionals.

Research report Cyberheroes.

Report’s Key Findings

1. Challenging gender norms
2. Addressing mental health stigma
3. Normalizing experiences of rejection
4. Developing social and prosocial skills
5. Fostering empathy and critical thinking
6. Promoting digital literacy
7. Providing online support

✧ Mélanye, B. (2026, April 07). Une campagne pour sensibiliser les jeunes hommes au masculinisme positif. Les matins d'ici. Radio Canada. [➦]

✧​​Ève-Marie, L. (2026, April 03). L'organisme Les 3 sex* s'attaque aux discours masculinistes en ligne [entrevue télévisée]. Salut Bonjour,1:39:50. TVA +. [➦] 

✧ Makonnen, R. (Host) (July 19, 2025). La sexualité masculine : Entrevue avec Mariane Gilbert [radio interview]. De l'huile sur le feu. Radio-Canada Ohdio. [➦]

✧ Boissonnault, M. (May 6, 2025). Un balado sur la masculinité [radio interview]. Les matins d'ici. Radio-Canada. [➦]

✧ Hassin, H. (May 3, 2025). Mano a mano. LCN TVA Nouvelles.

• Actively involve adolescents and young men in creating initiatives and programs to combat gender-based cyberviolence and sexual violence.
• Implement and fund mentorship programs led by and for young men to encourage healthy peer relationships through positive male role models.
• Develop prevention and intervention programs addressing cyberviolence and deconstructing traditional gender norms by emphasizing the spectrum of gender and sexuality.
• Address experiences of rejection in psychosocial support interventions.
• Avoid the term “toxic masculinity” to prevent resistance to change and instead promote healthy, diverse models of masculinity.
• Ensure ongoing awareness and training for youth workers on ideologies and issues related to the manosphere.
• Implement activities in youth settings (e.g., youth centres) to foster empathy and compassion toward oneself and others, including girls, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

For additional recommendations, see the “Recommendations” section of our research report. 

Centre for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence: Promotes inclusive, peaceful coexistence and violence preventio.

NextGenMen: Change how the world sees, acts and thinks about masculinity

Le Centre pour l'intelligence émotionnelle en ligne (Le Ciel) (French only): Raises awareness around digital well-being, including prevention programs on screen-related harms for youth.

Coordination du projet : Mariane Gilbert, Estelle Cazelais et Audrey Paquette. 

This project is made possible through funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada.