Research shows that simulated teen accounts experienced a fourfold increase in misogynistic material within just five days. The platforms aren’t neutral—they’re actively steering vulnerable boys from normal content toward increasingly extreme masculinity influencers. Your son doesn’t even need to search for this stuff. The algorithm pushes it directly into his feed.
Algorithms aren’t neutral—they’re actively funneling boys toward extreme content without them even searching for it.
High-profile masculinity influencers like Andrew Tate have racked up billions of views and multi-million followings. In one UK study, 79% of boys aged 16-17 had consumed content from prominent masculinity influencers, with over half viewing them positively. These aren’t fringe voices anymore—they’re mainstream influences shaping how boys think about manhood. This trend highlights how younger audiences are particularly susceptible to early exposure on these platforms.
The content spans motivational messaging to explicitly misogynistic and homophobic material. Short-form videos are engineered for virality, spreading faster than parents can track. Boys follow trends, not necessarily creators, which means toxic messages infiltrate their feeds through seemingly harmless channels.
Social media has become the primary blueprint for masculine identity. Visual platforms emphasize muscularity and dominance while devaluing vulnerability and emotional literacy. Boys craft idealized masculine selves online, seeking validation for performances that prioritize status and appearance over genuine connection or personal growth. These influencers promote language using terms like alpha male and beta male that normalize discrimination and reinforce harmful gender stereotypes.
The mental health implications are serious. Exposure to these narrow masculine ideals correlates with increased body dissatisfaction, muscle dysmorphia risks, and reduced help-seeking behavior. When platforms reward sensational, polarizing content with better engagement metrics, they create feedback loops that amplify the most toxic messages. School leaders increasingly report that misogynistic tropes are becoming normalized in in-person youth interactions. Open communication and parental awareness are critical in counteracting these harmful influences.
The lack of robust algorithmic safeguards has prompted calls for regulatory oversight under online safety frameworks. But waiting for policy changes isn’t enough. Parents need to understand that their sons are consuming masculinity content whether they realize it or not. The question isn’t whether social media is rewriting masculinity—it’s whether we’re paying attention to the rewrite happening right now.
