Social Media and the Rise of Alpha Male Behaviors in Young Boys

The alarming rise in alpha male culture continues across the country, with one expert seeing Australian boys as young as 11 becoming heavily influenced by the content being promoted on social media.

Amplifying Male Supremacy and Misogynistic Content

A study conducted by the Dublin City University (DCU) showed that social media algorithms are amplifying the notion of male supremacy and misogynistic content. The researchers made 10 experimental puppet accounts on YouTube and TikTok and found that all of the male-identifying accounts were drowned in anti-feminist, masculinist, and extremist content. This occurred regardless of whether the content was sought out, and the accounts received this within the first 23 minutes of the experiment. If the account showed any interest, the amount of this type of content increased dramatically.

After 400 videos, the study found the majority of the content being pushed to the accounts fell into the manosphere (alpha male and anti-feminist) genre. Besides the content that promoted the submission of women, anti-equality, male motivation, mental health, and money-making, it was found to target boys’ emotional and financial insecurities.

Rise of Alpha Male Behaviors in Teenage Boys

Psychologists say they’re seeing a rise in alpha male behaviors in teenage boys. According to Sahra O’Doherty, President of the Australian Association of Psychologists, young men are feeling lost and pressured to improve themselves due to negative experiences with friendship groups or people they’re interested in dating, often women. The alpha bro marketing shown to these young men plays into the notion that possessing certain products or traits will lead to success in the gym, dating, and other aspects of life.

O’Doherty notes that the biggest group exhibiting these behaviors is high school-aged kids. The rise in alpha male attitudes is often coupled with misogynistic attitudes and traditional gender role reinforcement. In extreme cases, it can result in young men withdrawing from conversations and relationships with women, leading to unhealthy interactions and social disengagement.

Influence on Younger Boys

What is particularly alarming to Ms. O’Doherty is that these behaviors are now being observed in boys as young as those in primary school. With easy access to the internet, young boys are exposed to influencers who promote hyper-masculinity and traditional stereotypes of masculinity.

Platforms like TikTok and Instagram feature dating and lifestyle coaches who focus on hyper-masculine ideals, becoming role models for impressionable young boys. Breaking away from this culture can be challenging, as deplatforming influencers does not necessarily remove their content.

Parental Role in Addressing the Issue

While it’s important for social media companies to take responsibility and find more sophisticated ways to tackle harmful content, parents also play a crucial role in addressing this issue. Having open and honest conversations with children about the messages they encounter on social media is essential.

Parents should create a safe space for discussion without judgment, allowing children to express their interests and engage in healthy conversations about social media content. By actively discussing the messages and values promoted by influencers, parents can help their children develop a critical mindset and shape healthier attitudes towards gender roles and relationships.