Episode three in the second series of BAFTA nominated docu-series Hollyoaks IRL discovers what being an Incel (involuntary celibate) really means…
Recent storylines have seen Angus’ character, Eric Foster become a radicalised misogynist when he turned to the online world to gain a sense of belonging.
Angus will chat with Charlotte Armitage, an Integrative Psychotherapist, Dr Kaitlyn Regehr, Associate Professor of Digital Humanities, and Jacob Davey, Head of Research and Policy for Far-Right and Hate, in the episode, which airs on Hollyoaks social media platforms at 5pm on the 1st of February.
On screen Eric’s loneliness in the real world drove him to feel isolated and undesirable to women, seeking friendship and understanding he found himself online where his misogynistic views grew.
Dr Kaitlyn notes of the danger of these groups, “Once inside these communities, loneliness can be transferred into hate, aggression, and in some cases a desire for revenge.”
Eric’s derogatory treatment of women in the soap illustrated this point.
Angus tries to uncover why it is that we are seeing such an increased rate of young males turning to these online communities.
Charlotte believes one reason is the change of a males role within society, “I think there is this sort of inability to place themselves or an identity crisis, so they’re struggling to kind of know who they are.”
Jacob notes how often the person is looking for guidance which leads to radicalisation in such harmful environments, “It’s almost like an extremist cult dressed as a self-help group. They’re looking for answers as to why their life is stuck, as you find yourself being pulled into those communities, you get those easy answers, that’s the really toxic, noxious ideology that spreads through these places…”
The impact of social media algorithms that remind users of their recent searches, including those during low periods, is raised as an issue in terms of users perspectives being altered.
The experts highlight several things to look out for in a person who might be being radicalised and Angus discovers the ways in which they can be helped.
In Hollyoaks, the character of Mason almost went down the same path as Eric. By showing him other viewpoints away from his online community, his family helped guide him back and reminded him that if he continued on that path, he would become more isolated and hurt those around him.
Jacob notes: “People being stuck in that space or stuck in that online space doesn’t mean they’re going to be stuck in that way of thinking for the whole of their life, there is a way through it.”
