Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, isn’t just a tech entrepreneur—he’s on a mission to create safer online spaces.
The Reddit co-founder recently revealed his plans for a new social media platform designed specifically for athletes, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for hate and harassment.
Alongside this announcement, Ohanian also sparked an important conversation about the dangers of incel culture, a term used to describe involuntary celibates who often harbor misogynistic and violent views.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) over the weekend, Ohanian shared his concerns about the rise of incel culture online, stating, “Incel culture is real and thriving online. As more and more young men realize the world is passing them by faster than ever, I fear the crisis is only gonna get worse.”
For those who may not know, “incel” describes people, typically young males, who experience involuntary celibacy and hold resentment towards women and men who are sexually active.
Ohanian also proposed a potential solution. Referencing motivational speaker and retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink, he urged a shift toward self-improvement and productivity.
Incel culture is real, and thriving online. As more and more young men realize the world is passing them by, faster than ever, I fear the crisis is only gonna get worse.
— Alexis Ohanian(@alexisohanian) January 19, 2025
“How do we scale @jockowillink?” Ohanian asked, imagining a world where young men adopt Willink’s principles of “extreme ownership,” usefulness, and purpose. “Many of the toxic traits that lead to all the Twitter fingers go away because you literally have no time—you’re too busy winning,” he added.
How do we scale @jockowillink? Like imagine every young man finding this mindset and purpose early. Be useful. Be productive. Extreme ownership. Many of the toxic traits that lead to all the twitter fingers go away because you literally have no time – you’re too busy winning.
— Alexis Ohanian
Ohanian’s vision goes beyond just inspirational tweets. He is actively working on an ambitious new initiative to develop a social media platform specifically designed for athletes as content creators. His approach not only focuses on leadership in thought but also seeks to create a platform that addresses online toxicity while uplifting athletes.
In the same post, he shared his vision, “I’m working on a new social media platform built with athletes-as-creators in mind — zero tolerance for hate/harassment too.”
I’m working on a new social media platform built with athletes-as-creators in mind — zero tolerance for hate / harassment too. https://t.co/qvYsqlSGEo
— Alexis Ohanian
While the details of the platform remain under wraps, Ohanian’s focus on inclusivity and safety speaks volumes. The tech mogul, who famously stepped down from Reddit’s board in 2020 to make room for Black representation, has consistently championed the need for positive transformation in the online space.
Will this platform become the blueprint for hate-free online spaces?
