Online Misogyny and Violent Extremism: Understanding the Landscape – Summary Report

This summary report provides a high-level overview of what we found in our research on the intersections between online misogyny and violent extremism. It draws on a focused literature review and supporting examples from studies and reports, alongside what we’ve observed through our classification work.

Why we looked at this:  Our interest in this area comes from our role classifying material under the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993, including violent extremist and extremely violent content. We have repeatedly seen misogynistic themes present in material that is restricted or banned for other reasons. It’s important to be clear: the Classification Office cannot restrict or ban content solely because it expresses hateful, discriminatory, or offensive attitudes. Our classifications are based on the legal criteria in the Act.

Scope Note: This research project is not about casual or everyday sexism. Those issues are only discussed where they help explain how extreme misogynistic content, attitudes, and behaviours can develop, spread, and cause harm.

Key Findings: 

• Misogyny is a thread across multiple extremist and hate ideologies: The literature shows clear overlaps between online misogyny and violent extremism, including in “manosphere” communities and extreme far-right spaces where anti-feminism and male dominance narratives are central.

• Algorithms and platform dynamics can amplify harm: Our review highlights how recommendation systems and platform dynamics can amplify misogynistic and violent extremist material, increasing the chances that vulnerable users encounter and sometimes move towards more extremely harmful ideas.
• Incel and male-supremacist ideologies are being taken more seriously: The risks linked to incel ideology and related male-supremacist worldviews are increasingly recognised in official threat discussions and wider research.
• New patterns are emerging among boys and young men: Some research points to mixed/unstable belief patterns, and some individuals drawn to violence itself rather than a single coherent ideology.
• Women and girls face the sharp end of severe online misogyny: Gender-based abuse can be intense and sustained, with real impacts on wellbeing and participation – and in some cases it spills over into offline harm.
• Intersectional harms are a key part of the story: Misogyny combined with racism and other forms of discrimination can intensify harm for women with intersecting identities.
• New tactics and tech are escalating the problem: Gendered disinformation and image-based abuse (including deepfakes/AI-generated material) create new detection and response challenges, especially for women in public roles.
• New Zealand evidence and data systems are still patchy: There are no standardised methods across agencies/NGOs for collecting and analysing data on online misogyny, definitional boundaries are inconsistent, and some reporting misses demographic detail that matters for understanding targeted harm.

Content warning: Includes references to misogyny, sexual violence, domestic violence, and violent extremism. If you need support, free call or text 1737 anytime.

For the full list of references, methodology, and extended analysis, visit the companion online resource. 

Online Resource - Key pages: 

• About this project | Classification Office
• Misogyny and violent extremism | Classification Office
• Technology and online platforms | Classification Office
• Online abuse and harassment of women and girls | Classification Office
• Intersectionality and misogyny | Classification Office
• Government responses | Classification Office

Related resources 

• What is Objectionable Content? | Classification Office
• Children and Chatbots: Your Questions Answered | Resource | Classification Office
• What if my child searches for illegal material - a resource for parents | Classification Office
• Extremely harmful and illegal content online: What are young people seeing and what does it mean for parents? | Classification Office
• What is Grok? Your questions answered | Classification Office | Classification Office
• Illegal and harmful content: resources for supporting young people | Classification Office
• Algorithms 101 | Classification Office
• Gaming Resource Hub Aotearoa New Zealand | Classification Office
• How to Report Harmful or Illegal Online Content in New Zealand | Te Mana Whakaatu Classification Office | Classification Office

Related research reports

• Online Misogyny and Violent Extremism – Summary Report | Classification Office

• Online Exposure: Experiences of Extreme or Illegal Content in Aotearoa | Classification Office
• Content that Crosses the Line: Conversations with young people about extremely harmful content online | Classification Office
• Digital Reflections: The Online Experience and its Influence on Youth Body Image in Aotearoa | Classification Office
• What We're Watching | Classification Office

• The Edge of the Infodemic | Classification Office