It is an elaborate ruse. But not to reduce competition, it's to just turn young men into angry unstable individuals which can be used for nefarious purposes. We have literal evidence of it happening with Gamergate and there's some evidence those young men may have just helped get Donald Trump elected in his first term.

When people are angry and lonely they can be easily coopted for stuff, you just offer them a community and an outlet for their rage and they are yours to do as you want.