Common Sense Media’s recent report Boys in the Digital Wild: Online Culture, Identity, and Well-Being summarizes the findings of a nationally representative survey of 1,017 boys ages 11-17 to get a sense of “how digital environments shape masculine identity development during adolescence.”
The survey, conducted in July, found that 73 percent of respondents regularly see content related to masculinity, most commonly regarding making money, growing muscles and fighting or weapons. About one-fourth experience high levels of exposure to this kind of content, according to the report. As the young men age, exposure grows.
Importantly, the report notes that “algorithms, not user intent, are the primary driver of boys’ exposure to masculinity content.”
Higher exposure to digital masculinity content corresponds with lower self-esteem and increased feelings of loneliness, the survey found.
“Boys with high digital masculinity exposure are significantly more likely to suppress their emotions and avoid vulnerability, but they maintain the capacity to care for others,” the report states. “Boys still embrace caring behaviors, with 62 percent believing in being friendly even to those who are unfriendly to them, 55 percent putting others’ needs before their own, and 51 percent caring about others’ feelings more than their own. These findings point to a tension in boys’ relationships: They often feel comfortable caring for others, but less comfortable asking for care themselves.”
The survey results indicated that 46 percent of boys feel pressure to not cry or show sadness or fear for risk of being teased and often feel the need to conform to other “unwritten rules” like not acting feminine.
Other key findings include:
- Ninety-four percent of boys are online on a daily basis to use social media or play games. Fifty-eight percent say they find a sense of belonging via gaming but also report “widespread problematic behaviors.”
- Content creators and influencers serve as sources of guidance and emotional support for many adolescent boys.
- Ninety-one percent of respondents have seen content related to body transformation messaging.
- More than two-thirds of those surveyed regularly come into contact with masculinity content that promotes problematic gender stereotypes, such as the types of guys girls are interested in (only wanting tall, attractive and/or rich partners), that girls use their looks for special treatment, boys being treated unfairly compared to their female peers, and how young women should be focused on home-life and family.
- Overall, real-world relationships remain critical to young men’s mental health and self-esteem.
The report houses guidance for parents, educators and policymakers on the subject. For schools, this may include promoting comprehensive digital literacy and well-being programs, providing relevant resources for families and fostering safe discussion spaces and in-person connections among other strategies.
