EastEnders star Danny Dyer was horrified to discover that his nine-year-old son, Arty, was a fan of social media influencer Andrew Tate. Danny was exploring toxic masculinity, gender roles, and men’s mental health for a documentary when he found out about Arty’s admiration for Tate, who is known for his misogynistic views. Danny made it clear to his son that he strongly disapproved of Tate, who is facing extradition to the UK over serious allegations. Danny expressed concern that Tate’s harmful messages were influencing young boys like Arty.
Andrew Tate rose to fame through social media, where he gained millions of followers with his anti-feminist rants. Danny recalled Tate’s failed attempt to gain fame on reality TV show Big Brother, and noted that social media was the platform that allowed Tate to reach a large audience. Despite Tate’s controversial and harmful views, young boys like Arty find him appealing. Danny shared a conversation he had with his son, who described Tate as a “top G” despite his problematic statements. Danny expressed worry that Tate’s influence was permeating schools and shaping young boys’ perspectives on masculinity.
The discussion about Tate’s influence on young boys comes amid a larger societal conversation about misogyny and toxic masculinity, especially in the wake of the MeToo movement. Concerns have been raised about the impact of influencers like Tate on male pupils, who are increasingly exposed to misogynistic content on various social media platforms. Tate, who is facing serious criminal charges, has been criticized for spreading hateful messages targeting young men. Labour politicians have proposed educational interventions to counter the influence of such influencers and promote healthy gender dynamics among young people.
Danny Dyer’s documentary, “How To Be A Man,” delves into the complexities of male identity and masculinity in the modern world. The actor highlighted the challenges that boys face in today’s society, where they are often behind girls in academic performance and navigating relationships. Danny emphasized the importance of addressing toxic influences that promise empowerment but ultimately perpetuate harmful stereotypes and attitudes. By sharing his personal experience with Arty’s admiration for Tate, Danny shed light on the need for critical media literacy and positive role models for young boys.
The documentary also touched on broader societal issues such as the impact of social media on youth culture, the role of influencers in shaping attitudes, and the challenges of raising children in a digital age. Danny’s candid reflections on his son’s exposure to harmful content underscore the importance of parental guidance, media literacy education, and open dialogues about gender roles and respect. By sharing his concerns about the pervasive influence of figures like Andrew Tate, Danny highlighted the urgency of addressing toxic masculinity and promoting healthier forms of masculinity among young boys. The documentary serves as a call to action for educators, parents, and policymakers to create positive and empowering environments for boys to grow into respectful and empathetic men.
