How to Reach, Recognise and Respond to Young Men Online - A Strength-Based Approach to Change Making
| Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
| 4:45 PM - 5:15 PM |
Overview
Krista Fisher, Research Fellow, Movember Institute of Men’s Health & Honorary Research Fellow, Centre of Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne
Speaker
Krista Fisher
Research Fellow & Honorary Research Fellow
Movember Institute of Men’s Health & University of Melbourne
How to Reach, Recognise and Respond to Young Men Online - A Strength-Based Approach to Change Making
Presentation Overview
Young men engage with men and masculinity influencers because they're genuinely entertaining, motivating, and inspiring—yet our research shows this same content correlates with concerning attitudes and behaviours. Movember’s data shows 70% of engaged young men believe "women have it easier than men," revealing how self-improvement content intersects with misogynistic messaging in digital ecosystems where dating advice overlaps with gender resentment.
Rather than shutting down these spaces, we can cultivate critical media literacy and activate caring masculinities online through powerful narrative change. When young men recognise the power of service and altruism online to cultivate a sense of meaning and leadership, they become powerful allies in challenging harmful content. This presentation will reveal how to harness young men's existing protective instincts and critical capabilities, transforming digital masculinities from a current risk factor into a prevention powerhouse.
Rather than shutting down these spaces, we can cultivate critical media literacy and activate caring masculinities online through powerful narrative change. When young men recognise the power of service and altruism online to cultivate a sense of meaning and leadership, they become powerful allies in challenging harmful content. This presentation will reveal how to harness young men's existing protective instincts and critical capabilities, transforming digital masculinities from a current risk factor into a prevention powerhouse.
Biography
Dr Krista Fisher is a Research Fellow at the Movember Institute of Men’s Health, where she leads a program of research examining how digital spaces - including social media, dating apps, pornography, AI, and gaming - influence young men’s health, wellbeing, and relationships. Her work is driven by a commitment to improving young men’s mental health, with a particular focus on understanding what types of masculinity content young men are exposed to online — and how it’s shaping their beliefs, behaviours and masculine identities. A strong advocate for a whole-of-community approach to men’s mental health, Krista’s work aims to ensure that supporting young men benefits not just them — but everyone around them.
