A prominent conservative commentator, Carl Benjamin (known as Sargon of Akkad), recently asserted that modern feminism has contributed to a cultural shift where “boys are no longer readily accepted for who they are.” In an exclusive interview with GB News, Benjamin linked the rising popularity of figures like Andrew Tate to what he describes as a “response” to perceived feminist dominance in societal discourse.
His remarks coincide with widespread discussion surrounding Netflix’s drama *Adolescence*, which portrays a 13-year-old boy committing murder following experiences with cyberbullying. Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, initially referring to the show as a documentary, acknowledged the serious issue of violence perpetrated by young men influenced by online content.
Feminist author Caitlin Moran has voiced concern over Andrew Tate’s influence on young men, suggesting he holds significant sway over information accessible to them. Benjamin, however, dismissed claims that *Adolescence* attributes blame for the depicted murder to so-called “manosphere” ideologies.
“The ideological component is entirely reversed,” Benjamin stated. “The boy isn’t a proponent of these concepts; he’s been victimized by being labeled with terms like ‘incel’ and exposed to manosphere ideas.”
Describing *Adolescence* as a “powerful piece of art,” Benjamin criticized its portrayal, arguing that it overlooks crucial gender differences. He believes the core issue lies in the lack of safe spaces where boys can simply be themselves.
“There’s nowhere for boys to feel comfortable and accepted as boys,” he explained. “Depriving young men of environments with older male mentors is a form of prejudice against masculinity. That’s precisely why figures like Andrew Tate have gained such traction.”
Benjamin clarified that while he acknowledges Tate’s popularity, the influencer’s lifestyle and philosophy differ significantly from his own.
“For Tate, it appears the goal is to accumulate wealth – cars, women – a stark contrast to my own life, which involves marriage, raising children, and contributing positively to society.”
Concerns regarding Andrew Tate’s influence on young men and the potential spread of misogynistic viewpoints have prompted political scrutiny in recent years. His broad online following and provocative messaging have become central to debates surrounding internet regulation and youth culture.
Benjamin argued that social media, rather than individuals like Tate, is the primary driver of this crisis. He highlighted the intensified nature of modern bullying, which he described as constant and public.
“Bullying now exists 24/7, broadcast to an entire school,” he said. To address this, Benjamin proposed a ban on smartphones for those under 16, suggesting simple mobile phones for basic communication.
He believes the impact of smartphones is detrimental to both genders—girls facing unrealistic beauty standards on platforms like Instagram and boys subjected to relentless cyberbullying. “In retrospect, providing children with smartphones and leaving them unsupervised will be viewed as a form of abuse.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch recently faced criticism for declining to watch *Adolescence*. Responding to inquiries from the BBC, she drew a comparison to the National Health Service: “I don’t need to watch *Casualty* to understand what’s happening within the NHS.” She later commented on X (formerly Twitter), questioning the BBC’s promotion of a fictional drama and highlighting what she perceived as a lack of attention towards issues like grooming gangs.
BBC presenter Naga Munchetty countered, pointing out the show’s ability to spark discussions about toxic masculinity, smartphone use, feelings of neglect among young men, and the potential for increased misogyny in schools. “Why would you not want to understand what people are talking about?”
*Adolescence* has garnered significant attention on Netflix, amassing over 66.3 million views and becoming one of the platform’s most popular shows.
- Carl Benjamin (Sargon of Akkad) believes modern feminism contributes to a lack of acceptance for boys.
- He attributes Andrew Tate’s popularity as a reaction to this perceived shift.
- Benjamin proposes banning smartphones for those under 16 due to their negative impact on both genders.
