So-called ‘manfluencers’ are filming themselves trying to pick up women.
Perspective:
Anya Seraphine
Toluwa was waiting for her flight in an airport lounge in Washington, DC, when she said she was approached by a stranger. The pair got chatting and, after a while, she agreed to exchange numbers with him. It wasn’t until she got home and searched his social media that she discovered he had posted numerous videos.
The emergence of so-called ‘manfluencers’—men filming themselves attempting to flirt with women in public spaces—is a troubling reflection of how technology can be weaponized against women. Recent incidents reported by CNN illustrate that these men often use smart glasses, which can record video without the subject's knowledge, further complicating issues of consent and personal agency. As noted by feminist scholar Stephanie Wescott, this phenomenon illustrates a disturbing trend where women's images are controlled and commodified by men, reinforcing existing power imbalances in public spaces.
This issue extends beyond mere social media antics; it highlights a deeper cultural malaise where women are objectified as conquests. The experiences shared by women like Toluwa reveal not only a violation of trust but also a stark reminder of the lack of agency women face in everyday interactions. The fact that Toluwa was filmed and later recognized in public because of a video she never consented to emphasizes the urgent need for conversations about privacy in the digital age.
Moreover, the technology enabling this behavior—namely smart glasses—is rapidly evolving, with Meta's AI glasses leading the market. While the company has put measures in place to prevent misuse, the reality is that the blinking light indicating recording can easily be obscured, leaving women vulnerable to being recorded without their knowledge. This highlights the necessity for stricter regulations and ethical standards surrounding consent in the age of technology.
Ultimately, this narrative challenges us to rethink what it means to exist in public spaces. Women's bodily autonomy is at stake, and as social media platforms amplify these violations, it becomes essential for us to advocate for inclusive practices that prioritize consent and respect. The rise of manfluencers necessitates a broader societal dialogue on how power dynamics play out in our increasingly digital interactions, emphasizing the importance of agency and respect in public life.