A new study from Common Sense Media (CSM) is raising alarms about what teen boys are learning online and how platforms are shaping their ideas of manhood.
According to the research, 69% of boys between ages 11 and 17 are regularly exposed to “problematic digital masculinity” content, often without even searching for it. The study found that this content frequently glorifies rigid stereotypes, such as the belief that “real men” must be muscular, stoic, wealthy, and emotionally unshakable.
“It idolizes a stereotype of a boy that only values his so-called ‘hard side,’” says Dr. Niobe Way, professor of developmental psychology at New York University and advisor for the study in a recent interview with Parents. “Boys are getting a push to not be stereotypically feminine. That only half of their humanity is valued.”
Researchers say the messages shaping boys’ identities are often algorithm-driven. Nearly seven in ten participants reported that masculinity content began showing up on their feeds without them searching for it. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram were the most common sources.
This content can range from “neutral” posts about fitness and confidence to more toxic material promoting outdated gender roles, such as the idea that girls use their looks for special treatment or that men are treated unfairly compared to women.
The research finds that being exposed to this type of messaging is taking an emotional toll on boys. According to the findings, boys who frequently encounter this digital masculinity content are:
• 67% more likely to avoid discussing feelings
• 50% more likely to hide hurt emotions
• 40% more likely to believe that sharing worries makes them look weak
The findings also link high exposure to this content with lower self-esteem and higher loneliness.
Researchers call this a “masculinity curriculum,”one being quietly taught by social media algorithms. Many boys described feeling pressure to hide emotions or act confident, even when struggling inside.
Still, experts say there’s reason for hope. Most boys in the study said they care deeply about others and want to form meaningful relationships. They’re also more likely to turn to their parents for help than to anyone else, a reminder that family support still matters.
“Boys need positive connections for their mental health — they tell us that directly,” says Dr. Way. “If they don’t find it, their mental health suffers.”
Experts recommend that parents keep the conversation open by asking what kind of content their kids see online and how it makes them feel. Encouraging emotional expression, setting healthy tech boundaries, and modeling empathy at home can help counter the messages boys absorb on social media.
