Helping Boys Navigate Harmful Online Influences

What harmful content do boys see online?

Boys today have easier access to explicit or degrading content than previous generations.[5] They may see harmful material in video game chats, on social media, or via podcasts, video streams, and websites.

In a 2025 national survey of 1,017 U.S. boys, 69 percent said they often see posts that push gender stereotypes.[6] Examples include claims that girls only date certain kinds of boys or use their looks to get what they want, or that they should focus exclusively on home and family. Some posts also say boys are treated unfairly compared with girls. These types of messages may promote hostile masculinity norms like seeking power over women, avoiding anything feminine, or feeling a sense of sexual entitlement. Large studies consistently link these norms to various forms of violence against women.[7],[8],[9]

Pornography is also only a few clicks away, and some of this content is violent or demeaning. Large reviews of studies find that seeing pornography is linked with sexual aggression, although these associations are generally small and inconsistent.[10],[11] The strongest links appear with exposure to violent pornographic content. In short, what boys see can shape their beliefs and, in some cases, their behaviors.

Peers can also reinforce harmful behaviors online. Boys report following a set of “unwritten rules” to avoid being teased. For example, a report from a nonprofit that studies media patterns for children and families found that:

• 46 percent of boys feel they must not cry or show fear.
• 38 percent feel they should not “act gay” or seem “feminine.”[12]

Additional research also supports these findings. For example, research shows that boys who act “very masculine” are more likely to bully their peers who act feminine.[13]

Sexist humor, homophobic teasing, and cyberbullying may seem trivial or unrelated to other behaviors, and some people dismiss these actions as “just joking.” But these behaviors can harm those being teased and can shift what boys see as normal.[14],[15] Research also finds that exposure to sexist humor can make some men more accepting of sexist behavior and reduce empathy for women.[16] Many adolescents—especially boys—are also highly susceptible to peer influence when it comes to engaging in sex and risky sexual behavior.[17]

Boys may also receive messages from social media influencers and other groups who glorify dominance. For example, one high‑profile figure has pushed ideas like “women are property” or that victims of rape are partly to blame for being assaulted.[18] Degrading content reaches wide audiences of young men—and many trust this content and those who produce it. A 2023 national survey of men found that about 1 in 5 young U.S. men (ages 18–23) said they trust the aforementioned influencer.[19]

The risk of boys seeing harmful content online has gained attention from news media, health organizations, and companies calling for safer online practices for boys. For example, the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health published a blog about boys’ exposure to online misogyny, citing a recent study from the United Kingdom showing that 69 percent of young boys have seen content online that promotes harmful views, such as misogyny. [20],[21] Research has also examined the rise of the “incel” (involuntary celibate) community and found evidence that early prevention and support could help reduce risks of violence and mental health concerns for boys.

Even when boys don’t seek out harmful content, app designs can expose them to it. Algorithms can make provocative content more visible to increase views and engagement, which can affect boys’ behaviors and mental health.[22] Algorithms can also make false or anger-provoking content reach more people faster than content that is true or provides context and justification.[23],[24] Extra exposure can make extreme views feel normal over time and drive further engagement with that type of content. [25], [26]

Further, the ability to be anonymous online can make people bolder. Without real-world accountability, boys may post or “like” hurtful or demeaning messages about women and others.[27] These actions tell the watching group that this behavior is acceptable and can invite others to join in. Even when no one names a specific person, such messages can still harm people who share the targeted identity.[28] The risk of harm peaks when people target a specific person through cyberbullying, perhaps by insulting them or sharing private images without consent. Cyberbullying is consistently linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety for those who are targeted.[29],[30]

Beyond online exposure, “sexting” among youth has also increased in prevalence in recent years.[31] Sexting can be harmful, especially when people do not give consent to send or receive explicit content. Eight to 12 percent of teens have had their pictures shared or shared someone else’s pictures without their consent.[32]

Can these influences turn into real world violence?

The short answer? Sometimes.

The longer answer? Most boys will not become aggressors. However, consistent exposure to degrading, violent, or harmful content online can stack up over time, increasing the risk of offline harm. This risk may be especially true when peers “like” this harmful content.[33]

How does this happen? When boys see a lot of degrading or violent content—and peers reinforce these attitudes—their beliefs can shift. Harmful ideas can start to feel normal and some boys may act in harmful ways online or offline. [34],[35],[36],[37],[38] Research links acceptance of certain gender norms to various forms of violence against women. Across dozens of studies, boys who believe that “being a man” requires dominance, toughness, or sexual conquest are more likely to engage in sexual harassment, sexual coercion, and other violence against women. The connection between these beliefs and harmful behavior isn’t huge, but it shows up again and again—particularly for engaging in sexual harassment.[39],[40],[41]

Once beliefs form and boys’ behaviors shift, patterns of violence can build over time. Studies that follow the same young people over years find a pattern: Bullying and homophobic teasing in early adolescence predict later sexual harassment[42] and, still later, dating violence.[43],[44] Researchers sometimes call this the “bully‑to‑sexual violence pathway.”[45] This pathway does not necessarily mean that one act causes another for every boy; rather, it means the odds of more severe behaviors rise when adults and peers leave bullying unchallenged, reinforce it, and normalize it in early adolescence.

Another way that real-world violence starts is when behaviors begin online but move offline. Image-based sexual abuse (for example, coerced sexting, nonconsensual sharing, or cyberflashing) is increasingly documented among teens, and the same young people who perpetrate it often report other forms of sexual coercion or dating violence. Reviews of research note that some youth who are targeted by nonconsensual image sharing also harm others. Teens who share someone’s image without consent are also more likely to pressure a partner or harass a classmate.[46]

The type of content youth see can amplify risk—especially violent sexual content. In a large U.S. study of 10th graders, boys who had seen violent pornography were two to three times more likely to report sexually aggressive behavior in dating relationships than peers who hadn’t, even after researchers factored in other explanations like substance use and rape myth acceptance.[47] At the same time, research findings on exposure to any form of pornographic material are mixed. One large review of studies links viewing pornography to sexual aggression.[48] Another large review concluded that any links—especially long-term—are generally small and may reflect both exposure and preexisting risk factors.[49] Taken together, the most cautious interpretation of existing research is that violent content carries the clearest risk for future violent behavior.

In rare cases, online communities can reinforce ideologies that celebrate violence offline. For instance, online communities of individuals who self-identify as “incel” often organize around beliefs that society rewards physical attractiveness and that women are to blame for men’s experiences of romantic or sexual rejection and lack of recognition from women.[50] Those who self-identify as incels frequently have mental health challenges and past experiences of being bullied or rejected.[51] Both law enforcement and researchers have linked instances of real-world violence to online participation in incel communities and to sharing beliefs in incel communities. [52], [53], [54]

Exposure isn’t destiny: Many who browse or participate in incel spaces online do not suffer mental health challenges or commit violence. Context and vulnerability shape whether online exposure leads to offline violence. The risk appears highest for men who feel isolated, believe they were previously wronged, or immerse themselves in feeds that repeatedly reward hostility.[55],[56],[57] Recent interviews with 38 men and one woman in the United Kingdom, all ages 16 to 50, who engage in online incel communities found that many men were skeptical or even critical of misogynist or hateful messages from male influencers and did not adopt violent views.[58]

The bottom line? Digital influences can escalate into offline harm, especially when they stack up and go unchallenged. Adults can help by setting clear expectations, offering tools, and providing support to help boys learn to move through digital life with empathy, respect, and real‑world courage.

What should adults look for?

Based on the research summarized above, adults should know that some online patterns are associated with higher risk of harmful beliefs or actions over time. Pay attention if a boy is:

• Telling or sharing “jokes” that put down girls, LGBTQ+ youth, or any group
• Ignoring, excusing, or justifying harassment
• Sharing or saving sexual memes or images, especially when consent was not given
• Seeing violent sexual content often
• Praising influencers who demean women or celebrate control

What can adults do?

Here are five practical steps for parents, caregivers, and youth‑serving adults to help boys—as well as other teens—use technology with respect and care for themselves and their peers. These tips focus on what boys see, who they “follow,” and how they act—both online and in daily life.

1) Model and name the concepts of “harm” and “respect” every day. Young people watch how adults explain the concept of harm and define examples. When we dismiss cruelty or sexual harassment with lines like “boys will be boys,” we normalize harm. Research links acceptance of rape myths with more victim‑blaming and greater tolerance of sexual violence.[59],[60] However, these beliefs are malleable: Adults’ language matters and can help shape and change harmful beliefs. Adults can name harm plainly (“That’s harassment, not humor”), center consent and respect in everyday conversation, and model apologizing when we miss the mark.[61]

2) Teach and tune an adolescent boy’s social media feeds. Multiple investigations find that algorithms can amplify extreme or misogynistic content to teen accounts, which can normalize hostility toward women.[62],[63] Share this information openly with boys so they can both notice and name hostile or toxic behaviors. Explain how websites’ and apps’ “For You/Explore” pages are trained and why a few taps can change what they see.

Research shows that teens are often willing to work with adults to set healthy boundaries and think more carefully about what they watch or share.[64] Look together at a page and ask questions like, “What is your content teaching you about friendship, dating, or consent?” Show boys how to use “Not interested” and “Don’t recommend channel” feedback options, and teach them to establish and set keyword filters and feed refresh tools on the apps they use (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube).[65],[66],[67] These controls aren’t perfect: Independent testing suggests that some controls (e.g., YouTube’s dislike/“don’t recommend”[68]) only partially suppress similar content. Nevertheless, following such guidance can reduce some categories of unwanted content and give boys agency. Plus, adults can support boys by combining technical tuning with conversation and co‑viewing.

3) Build a pause‑before‑share habit. The United Nation’s “Pause. Take care before you share” campaign is a simple way to curb the spread of harmful content. Encourage boys to ask, “Who made this? What’s the source? Why am I sharing it?”[69] This habit can curb misinformation, pile‑ons, and casual cruelty—and help people make better online choices.

4) Set simple routines that protect boys’ well-being (sleep, meals, focus). Predictable routines make it easier for adolescents to think clearly, regulate emotions, and follow through on good intentions. Consider these research-informed tips:

• Create a 60‑minute “digital sunset.” The U.S. surgeon general advises at least one hour device‑free before bed, and research shows that evening screen exposure suppresses melatonin, delays circadian timing, and shortens sleep.[70] If 60 minutes feels unrealistic at first, start at 20 minutes and step up gradually.
• Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight. Support this practice by having all household members charge phones in a common space overnight and set phones to “Do Not Disturb/Focus” from lights‑out to wake‑up. Studies link access to and use of phones and tablets in the sleep environment to later bedtimes, shorter sleep duration, lower sleep quality, and excessive daytime sleepiness in children and teens.[71]
• Make meals device‑free for everyone in the family. The U.S. surgeon general explicitly recommends device‑free mealtimes to support family conversation and bonding. Research finds that parents’ phone use during meals is linked with fewer parent–child interactions.[72]
• Balance online and offline activities. Encourage at least one daily offline activity, such as going on a walk, practicing sports or music, doing an art project, or completing chores. U.S. guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate‑to‑vigorous physical activity daily for people ages 6 to 17.[73] Physical activity is also tied to better cognition and academic performance, and to fewer depressive symptoms.[74]
• Support focused homework time. The mere presence of a smartphone can reduce available working memory and make it harder to reason through unfamiliar tasks during homework time. Even just seeing notifications can impair performance, and studies link chronic media multitasking to weaker cognitive control. Brief, structured breaks can help sustain attention and improve study efficiency.[75],[76],[77],[78],[79] Strategies to support focused homework time include the following:
• • Putting phones out of reach during homework time
  • Closing unnecessary tabs on laptops or other devices being used for homework
  • Using pre‑planned short breaks (e.g., 25–30 minutes for homework and then 5 minutes of other device activity)
• Have a reset plan. If routines slip, start fresh the next day—no shaming, just back to the plan. Make a simple “if‑then” plan ahead of time (e.g., “If it’s past 9:00 p.m. and homework’s not done, then the phone goes on the kitchen charger until we finish homework”).[80] These short plans help people follow through on goals, and using natural “fresh start” moments (like Mondays or the first day of a new term) boosts motivation to restart healthy routines.[81],[82]

5) Equip boys to be upstanders, not bystanders. Teach boys the “five D’s”: distract, delegate, document, delay, (be) direct. For example, distract a person who is being harassed to interrupt the moment; delegate monitoring of situations by asking other trusted adults to help or by using in-app tools to report harassment or bullying; document harmful incidents that do occur (possibly via recording); delay harmful effects by checking in with those involved (“I saw that—want support?”); or be direct and call out harmful behaviors when safe to do so (“That’s harassment—not a joke. Please stop.”). Choose the option that keeps everyone safe: The first four options are indirect by design. Practice these interventions in low‑stakes ways, like sending a supportive direct message to someone harmed, posting a kind comment, or quietly reporting harmful content. And teach boys that, when you see harm, document, block, and report it (most platforms and schools ask for evidence, so take screenshots and log dates).[83]

Additional Resources

The following action‑oriented resources can help adults and youth-serving professionals put many of the strategies mentioned above into practice.

Family agreements and day‑to‑day routines

• Create a shared plan for screen‑free times, homework, privacy, and sleep with the American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Plan.
• Co‑write a digital safety agreement through a guided conversation using The Smart Talk.

Digital‑citizenship lessons and games

• Teach core skills (be kind, alert, strong, smart) with Be Internet Awesome and let kids practice in the Interland game.

Preventing bullying and building upstander skills

• Follow federal steps to document → block → report cyberbullying at StopBullying.gov.
• Practice the “5 D’s” (Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, (be) Direct) with Right To Be’s bystander guides.
• Spot and respond to sexual cyberbullying with a concise adult quick-reference (warning signs, how to support youth): Activate – How to Decode Signs of Sexual Cyberbullying and Support Teens and Youth.

Consent and healthy relationships

• Ground conversations with clear, age‑appropriate primers via Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network - Consent 101.
• Use a practitioner-friendly guide to help teens understand boundaries, gray areas, and how to give or withhold permission: Activate – A Practice Guide for Understanding Consent.

Image‑based abuse and sextortion (removal and reporting)

• Remove minors’ images from participating platforms using National Center for Missing Exploited Children (NCMEC) - Take It Down.
• For adults’ images, use the privacy‑preserving pathway at StopNCII.org.
• Report suspected online child sexual exploitation through the NCMEC CyberTipline.
• During active sextortion incidents (a request for sexually explicit material followed by a demand for money), follow Federal Bureau of Investigation guidance.

Understanding and managing feeds and algorithms

• See how recommendations can amplify harmful content—and what helps—via the University College London/Association of School and College Leaders brief Safer Scrolling.
• Learn platform controls (hide, mute, not interested, keyword filters, Family Pairing) with ConnectSafely Parent Guides.

Platform‑specific safety education

• Take a 45‑minute course with your teen that covers bullying, sextortion, and in‑app tools at Snap - The Keys.

General digital‑parenting hubs and advisories

• Align family rules with research‑informed recommendations in the American Psychological Association Health Advisory on Adolescent Social Media Use.
• Use checklists, privacy tips, and scripts from United Nations Children’s Fund - Digital Parenting.
• Download “quick wins” and printable one‑pagers from the Family Online Safety Institute.
• Check app, game, and movie content and receive age‑based talking points at Common Sense Media.

For coaches and educators working with boys

• Run short, evidence‑based team talks that build respect with FUTURES - Coaching Boys Into Men.

Closing Note

Most boys navigate digital life with good intentions and use technology positively to connect, learn, and show care. But ignoring the risks leaves space for harmful socialization to flourish. With practical tools, steady expectations, and open conversations between caring adults and youth, boys can learn to use technology in ways that foster empathy, respect, and resilience—helping them build healthy relationships and stand up for others.