What is incel forums?

Incel forums are online communities where self-identified “incels,” short for “involuntarily celibate,” gather to discuss their experiences and frustrations with dating and relationships. These forums generally consist of men who feel they have been unfairly denied romantic and sexual experiences due to their physical appearance, lack of social status, or other perceived deficiencies. Incel communities have gained notoriety for their toxic and hateful rhetoric towards women and other groups, with some members advocating for violence against those they feel are responsible for their lack of romantic success. The term “incel” gained mainstream attention in 2018 after a mass shooting in Toronto committed by a self-identified incel. Many online platforms have since banned incel communities due to their promotion of hate speech and violent extremist ideologies.