Two in five therapists (41%) who work with children have seen a rise in the influence of toxic masculinity on boys through online platforms and social media influencers, our Mindometer survey found.1

It comes as there’s increased public attention on the topic following Louis Theroux’s documentary Inside the Manosphere and the Netflix drama Adolescence.

Growing impact

Therapists say the issue is increasingly evident in their work with families, emerging both in conversations with parents and in the attitudes and behaviours expressed by young people.

Registered child and adolescent therapist Kemi Omijeh says: “Toxic masculinity shows up in my practice in two ways: parents sharing their concerns and directly asking questions. With young people it shows up in comments, thoughts and feelings they express. They often quote influencers or toxic masculinity ideology without necessarily seeing it as toxic masculinity. My role is then to explore what it means to them, why it’s important to them and how they are impacted by it.”

This pattern is echoed by registered child counsellor Rahi Popat, who works in schools and highlights a broader cultural shift- noting that there is a growing trend of young people actively trying to emulate influencers by adopting the language and behaviours they encounter online. “There are more young people who are becoming more absorbed in this world and are wanting to find a sense of belonging attached to the people they are watching,” states Rahi.

Behavioural changes prompt parents to seek help

Kemi explained that parents often seek support after noticing changes in their child’s emotional wellbeing and behaviour. She added that it is common and natural for parents to worry about their children, especially when situations feel beyond their control. According to her, the parents she works with are not excessively worried about the impact of social media or the content their children consume; rather, their concerns are healthy and appropriate, as they are usually responding to noticeable changes that lead them to seek therapy.

Kemi says concerns often centre on limited understanding of children’s online lives, falling self-esteem linked to comparison culture, safety in gaming spaces, and the influence of online content on relationships and identity.

“What tends to prompt parents to seek therapy for their children is changes in their child’s mood and behaviour, which impacts their daily lives. This can look like emotional dysregulation, withdrawal and lack of interest in their usual activities, and changes in friendships or school behaviour,” she adds.

 Warning signs

Kemi highlighted patterns emerging in younger clients: “While I can’t share details of specific things children have said, I can share themes and the ways this impacts them - such as difficulty connecting with and expressing emotions; misinterpreting intense emotions as weakness; and the use of ‘alpha male’ language with homophobic undertones and derogatory or sexist comments.”

Warning signs may include “over fixation on appearance or fitness, language that is out of character, emotional shutdown, and sudden loyalty to male figures,” she says.

Impact extends beyond boys

Kemi also adds that the impact is not limited to boys: “It’s important to state that girls are exposed to and internalising the same cultural messages that boys are exposed to. Boys are negatively impacted because they lose connection to being vulnerable, whilst girls lose connection to themselves, strengthening their individual identity and self-worth.”

Amanda Macdonald, a registered therapist who supports adults and children, agrees and emphasises the wider impact on girls: “Toxic masculinity doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It also impacts girls, reinforcing stereotypical gender roles and shaping their understanding of relationships. Encouraging open conversations about healthy relationships is key.”

Parents ‘out of their depth’

Jenny Warwick, an accredited counsellor, says awareness among parents is growing, but many feel ill-equipped to respond. “I work with parents of adolescents, and I have definitely noticed this is a subject parents are increasingly aware of,” says Jenny.

She also says that the pace of online culture is leaving many parents struggling to keep up: “They can feel out of their depth trying to keep up with the speed and intensity of online trends… I wouldn’t go so far as to say they are distraught, but there is a growing unease and confusion about the amount of time teens spend on their phones and what they’re being exposed to.”

Harmful attitudes normalised

Jenny shares that concerning behaviours are often becoming normalised among young people: “Parents are noticing boys repeating degrading or dismissive language, sometimes directed towards their mothers, and describing controlling or disrespectful behaviour as normal or unavoidable. Gaming platforms and group chats can be where a lot of this develops, often unnoticed.”

She adds that younger children are also being affected: “Young children calling their parents derogatory names, and girls echoing ideas about control or emotional manipulation in relationships, is concerning. I’ve heard this even from primary school-aged children.”

Rise in demand for support

Jenny shares there has been an increase in young people accessing therapy, with online influences often part of the wider picture: “There’s definitely been a rise in young people coming to therapy. Online activity and exposure to extreme or polarising themes is a pervasive thread, even when it’s not the main presenting issue.”

She also encourages parents to trust their instincts: “You might notice subtle shifts in language that don’t sound like your child, often dismissed as ‘banter’. These changes usually happen gradually, and if something feels ‘off’, it’s worth paying attention to that instinct.”

Normal vs toxic behaviour

Amanda adds that many parents are trying to distinguish between typical adolescent development and more concerning changes.

“The need to differentiate from parents in adolescence is an important developmental stage, and it can feel frightening for a parent to not know if their child’s mood swings or need for privacy is part of this process, or a red flag for something more concerning,” shares Amanda.

She warns that rigid expectations around masculinity can restrict emotional expression and affect relationships: “Toxic masculinity suggests that males shouldn’t demonstrate emotions that are not considered masculine. This is troubling, as it limits emotional expression and can affect the quality of relationships. It can lead to people only allowing feelings such as hurt or sadness to be expressed as anger.”

How families can provide support

Amanda says families can play a key role in countering these messages: “Families can help by modelling a range of emotions, showing that sadness or anxiety are not signs of weakness, and that experiencing these emotions does not make someone ‘less of’ a man.”

She adds that focusing on positive values and maintaining communication is key: “When working with parents, I encourage them to move away from reductive labels and instead focus on promoting positive traits and values, encouraging connection and healthy relationships.”

Rahi agrees and focuses on the practical steps families can take to actively respond to harmful messages, particularly those encountered online. He emphasises the importance of parents educating themselves about the content their children are exposed to, so they can better understand its influence and respond effectively.

A collaborative approach

Rahi also highlights the value of building a wider support network by engaging with other parents, creating a shared approach within communities. He also stresses the need for clear boundaries around internet use, encouraging consistency, noting that parents should “limit screen time and enforce boundaries around internet usage and trust the process and hold firm when doing so.” Where young people have already adopted problematic attitudes, he advocates for a patient and collaborative approach - working alongside them, showing curiosity rather than judgement, and helping them explore alternative perspectives.

If you or your child are affected by this issue and would like to find a registered therapist for support, please visit our therapist directory.

 

About Mindometer 2025

1. All figures are from our annual Mindometer survey of BACP members. Total sample size was 2,980 therapists. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3 – 17 September 2025. The survey was carried out online.​