Supporting Teen Boys in the Age of Online Influences

Come together in person to learn from industry experts about the manosphere, boys' mental health, and gender-based violence. In particular, we will be exploring boys' vulnerability to harmful online content, including the manosphere, "incel" communities, and other extremist groups. We will then learn about what we, as front-line professionals working with youth, can do in response to these influences, and what other professionals are doing to foster positive conversations with teen boys about these topics, and reduce gender-based violence.

We will be welcoming 3 expert speakers, plus two of our own workshop facilitators, to share their research and experience with us:

• Amanda Champion, PhD candidate at SFU, who will present her research about online extremist communities, including "incels", and the "manosphere".
• Dr. John Oliffe, founder of UBC’s Men’s Health Research program, who will help explain why boys have become vulnerable to these harmful influences.
• Joe Calendino, founder of non-profit Yo Bro Yo Girl, who will talk to us about his experience providing prevention-based programming to at-risk youth across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
• Taylor Heroux and Sam Punzo from Children of the Street, who will talk about key learnings from our Stand Up, Speak Out workshops and promising practices.

This training is suitable for service providers, health practitioners, teachers & school staff, and other professionals who work with youth.

Event details:

• Date: Friday, May 15, 2026
• Time: 9am-3:00pm
• Location: Creekside Community Centre, 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver
• Free event; as space is limited, registration is required

We hope you'll join us for this informative, practical, all-day training that will help all of us become better equipped to combat negative forces affecting our young men.

If you have any questions, please contact Tatyana Davies, Program Facilitator, at [email protected]

This training is funded by Department of Justice Canada

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