Sexist jokes, talking over women, pressuring women for dates and reinforcing outdated stereotypes are just some examples of how disrespect manifests.
A new social media campaign collaboration between TikTok and anti-violence organisation Our Watch aims to show young men what they can do to stop disrespect.
Our Watch's The Line, a sub-agency targeted specifically at young men, partnered with TikTok to launch the campaign.
Four in five young men (81 per cent) believed they needed to take more action when they witnessed disrespect towards women, while a similar number (82 per cent) said they needed more support on how to do it.
Reaching young men in places they typically hang out, like on social media, was key to ensuring they were part of the conversation about respect, Our Watch chief executive Patty Kinnersly said.
"By reaching young people where they are, we can help increase their knowledge of sexism, harmful behaviours and attitudes while also providing them with the tools and information they need to make positive change," she told AAP.
"Research consistently shows that men challenging disrespect towards women can help create a culture where violence against women is less likely to occur."
The social media campaign - named Respect. It's the GOAT - hopes to help young men overcome barriers to stopping disrespectful behaviour such as fear of backlash and isolation.
"In some cases, disrespect towards women is seen as a way for men to impress and relate to each other, and those who want to speak up don't, for fear of rejection," Ms Kinnersly said.
"This can create a culture where being disrespectful towards women and girls is normalised and even encouraged."
The campaign is being backed by some of TikTok's biggest male creators, including Australian Olympic diver Sam Fricker and comedian Lachlan Fairbairn.
"Seeing disrespect towards women has always made me feel uncomfortable, and if I feel uncomfortable, that's normally an indicator for me to speak up," Mr Fricker said.
"I was shocked at how many young men want to call out disrespect but just aren't quite sure how to do it ... it's on all of us to step up, speak out, and make it clear that disrespect isn't okay."
The campaign was a reminder that in small ways, people can do or say something that can have an effect, Mr Fairbairn said.
"A small comment to a friend or simply not laughing along are examples that you can do your part to stop these things," he said.
Social media platforms had a responsibility to build cultures of respect, especially since many young people had access to them, Queensland University of Technology Professor Michael Flood said.
"We know that social media has an influence on young people's relationships and behaviour, it shapes their lives," he said.
"Some social media algorithms can promote misogyny and violence, particularly among young male users, even if that content is not what they want to see."
TikTok said it employs more than 40,000 trust and safety professionals to uphold the site's strict community guidelines prohibiting misogyny, bullying, hate, and violence.
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