Why digital pressures affect boys more than we realize — and what parents and professionals can do to help.
By Dr. Allison K. Chase, Ph.D., AK Chase Consulting
When conversations about social media and mental health come up, our focus often lands on girls — and understandably so. But a recent report from Common Sense Media, Boys in the Digital Wild: Online Culture, Identity, and Well-Being, reminds us that boys are also deeply affected by the online world — and in ways that are often overlooked.
The study found that nearly all boys use social media or online gaming daily, and that their feeds are filled with messages about what it means to be “a man.” Many boys regularly encounter content about muscles, money, dominance, and physical strength — often without seeking it out. The result? A steady stream of messages that shape how they see themselves, what they value, and how they measure up.
Body Image in Boys: Patterns Are Different, but Risks Are Real
When we think of body image issues, we tend to imagine girls striving to be thinner. But for many boys, the ideal looks different. The pressure often centers around being bigger, leaner, or more muscular — chasing a physique that feels powerful, admired, or “manly enough.”
Research suggests that the majority of adolescent boys report some degree of dissatisfaction with their bodies. For many, that dissatisfaction translates into behaviors that can quietly become unhealthy: rigid dieting, protein obsession, over-training, or guilt when workouts are missed. While these behaviors may look like “dedication” from the outside, they can signal a growing preoccupation with appearance, control, and performance — and can evolve into full eating disorders or exercise addiction.
In clinical practice, we see that boys often present differently than girls. They may not restrict calories in obvious ways or engage in traditional purging behaviors. Instead, the focus may be on clean eating, bulking and cutting cycles, or exercising past exhaustion. These behaviors can fly under the radar — even among caring parents, teachers, and coaches — because they look like healthy habits at first glance.
And yet, the medical consequences are the same. Malnutrition and under-fueling can delay growth, interfere with puberty, weaken bones, and impair brain and heart function. Boys can experience the same cascade of physical and psychological effects that we associate with eating disorders in girls. The difference is that their symptoms are more likely to be dismissed, misunderstood, or missed entirely.
Why Early Recognition Matters
Early detection is essential. Eating disorders don’t discriminate — and in boys, they’re often identified late because of persistent myths that these are “female illnesses.” Parents and professionals can help by watching for signs such as:
- Rigid or restrictive eating patterns (e.g., cutting entire food groups, “clean eating” taken to extremes)
- Excessive or compulsive exercise routines
- Irritability, fatigue, or anxiety around food or missed workouts
- Changes in mood, social withdrawal, or secrecy around eating
- Slowed growth, weight loss, or stalled puberty
The good news is that with early recognition and the right support, recovery outcomes are excellent. Families and treatment teams can help boys rebuild a healthy relationship with food, exercise, and their bodies — but first, we have to notice.
Helping Boys Navigate a Digital World
Social media can be a double-edged sword. While it connects and entertains, it also fuels comparison, perfectionism, and unrealistic ideals of strength and success. When boys are constantly exposed to messages about how they “should” look or act, they may internalize a narrow and harmful definition of masculinity.
Parents can play a powerful role by opening the conversation early:
- Talk about what your child sees online and how it makes them feel.
- Normalize emotional expression — especially for boys who may feel pressure to appear tough.
- Emphasize strength in balance, not extremes.
- Remind them that real confidence and connection come from authenticity, not appearance.
Moving Forward
This new research underscores something we’ve long known but too often forget: boys are not immune to the pressures of social media, body image, or eating disorders. Their experiences may look different, but the impact can be just as serious — medically, emotionally, and developmentally.
At AK Chase Consulting, I work with parents, professionals, and treatment teams to improve early recognition and coordinated care for all young people — boys included. If you’re concerned about your son, a student, or a client, I can help you develop a plan to recognize warning signs, navigate care options, and communicate effectively with treatment providers.
Let’s make sure boys are part of the conversation — and that they get the understanding and support they deserve.