by Kandiss Edwards
October 13, 2025
Teenage boys are consuming ‘masculinity-related materials’ on social media.
Social media content material is shaping the way in which boys see masculinity, based on a brand new report.
Frequent Sense Media experiences practically three in 4 teenage boys are repeatedly uncovered to social media content material that hyperlinks masculinity to dominance, cash, and bodily energy. Clinicians warn that the development could distort boys’ sense of self and emotional well-being.
Boys ages 11 to 17 are consuming on-line content material that facilities on “masculinity-related materials.” The identical research mentioned greater than two-third of respondents come throughout posts that “promotes problematic gender roles.” Such content material consists of movies that depict success as management over others or romantic consideration as a standing image.
Michael Robb, director of analysis at Frequent Sense Media and lead creator of the research, mentioned the parameters of the research with CNN.
“We’re documenting how the algorithms that children are part of are particularly shaping their id throughout this actually essential interval of adolescence, which is a time of id formation,” Robb mentioned.
Robb added that he was notably involved concerning the connection between digital misogyny and real-world violence.
“My analysis means that when damaging messages about girls and ladies are normalized on-line, it might trigger offline violence,” he mentioned.
Whereas the survey didn’t show a direct hyperlink between publicity and habits, Robb acknowledged it may underestimate the affect.
“Those that maintain these views could not have been prepared to confess within the survey that they have been experiencing emotional struggles or feeling weak,” he mentioned.
Melissa Greenberg, a scientific psychologist at Princeton Psychotherapy Heart who was not concerned within the analysis, mentioned dad and mom ought to assume their kids will encounter such materials no matter on-line restrictions.
“Even when we monitor and restrict what our children see at house, they are going to be uncovered to content material we aren’t conscious of in different settings, and thru associates and friends,” Greenberg informed CNN in an e mail.
Consultants mentioned dad and mom will help counteract damaging influences by having open, judgment-free conversations about what teenagers see on-line. Robb suggested asking boys straight about their digital experiences, including, “One secret tip is that children are literally fairly excited to speak about their media use.”
Frequent Sense Media is asking for higher media literacy training to assist youth establish bias.
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