French Senate report brands masculinism a 'poison' to democracy, demands action on social media and education

A cross-party alarm

On 24 June 2026, the French Senate's delegation on women's rights published a report denouncing the spread of masculinist ideology, which they call a 'poison' for democracy. The document is the result of seven months of work during which around one hundred specialists were heard. The three rapporteurs, Béatrice Gosselin (Les Républicains), Olivia Richard (Union centriste) and Laurence Rossignol (Socialist, Écologiste et Républicain), present a unified front across political lines. They warn that this movement is not a fleeting online trend but a structured social and political force aiming to dismantle equality between the sexes.

“Today's masculinisms are not just a simple 'trend' on social networks. They constitute a social and political movement that aims to destroy women's rights and, ultimately, to dismantle our democratic foundation.”

How radicalisation takes hold

The report and accompanying interviews highlight that the radicalisation process mirrors that of jihadist recruitment. Dominique Vérien, president of the delegation, drew a direct parallel: the method used to lure young men into violent misogyny is the same that was once deployed to recruit fighters for Syria. According to the DGSI (French domestic intelligence service), the most worrying profiles are boys aged between 14 and 15. A study from the University of Dublin, cited by the senators, shows that it takes only 26 minutes for a young man to be recommended masculinist content online.

“The radicalisation process is exactly the same as when we radicalised people to go to Syria. We see boys who become terrorists towards their mother, their sisters and the rest of the family that does not agree with them.”

24 recommendations to turn the tide

The Senate report formulates 24 recommendations to stem the phenomenon. Among the most prominent is the creation of an interministerial strategy headed by a single structure responsible for observing masculinism and coordinating public prevention and combat policies. The rapporteurs also call for a generalisation of education on affective, relational and sexual life in schools, which has been compulsory since the early 2000s but is effectively implemented in only 15% of establishments.

Digital demonetisation and EU push

The senators place particular emphasis on cleaning up the digital space. They recommend carrying the ambition to the European level to tackle the business model of platforms and social networks. They specifically propose demonetising sexist, misogynistic and masculinist content, thereby depriving it of advertising revenue. This economic lever is seen as a key to choking off the rapid online propagation of hateful discourse.

“We see these movements flourishing on social networks and grabbing our young boys, things we don't even notice.”

Education gap: only 15% of schools comply

Currently, the legal obligation to provide affective and sexual education is met by just a small fraction of schools. The senators argue that teaching equality early helps boys resist the lure of seduction coaches who promote a hierarchy of 'alpha males' with privileged access to women. Closing this implementation gap is presented as a central pillar of the long-term response.