I Watched Louis Theroux’s “Manosphere” and Now I’m Thinking About the World Our Kids Are Growing Up In

A recent documentary by Louis Theroux has brought a quiet concern into the spotlight.

Many parents are now asking:

“What is my son being exposed to online?”

The documentary explores what’s often referred to as the manosphere — a collection of online communities where boys and men are given advice about masculinity, relationships, status and success.

Some of that content is framed as self-improvement.Some of it becomes more rigid, more adversarial, and more influential than many parents realise — particularly in the way it frames relationships, gender roles and power.

At Conscious Health Clinic, this isn’t a new conversation.

In December 2025 we shared a blog written by James McIntosh, psychologist and dad to teenage boys, reflecting on the growing influence of these online spaces and what he is seeing both clinically and as a parent.

From my perspective, as a psychologist and a mum to a teenage girl, this conversation also matters beyond boys alone. The ideas young men are absorbing about relationships and identity don’t exist in isolation. They shape how boys see girls, how girls experience boys, and how young people come to understand connection, respect and themselves.

Why the Manosphere Appeals to Teenage Boys

Adolescence is a time of searching.

Many boys are quietly asking:

• What does it mean to be a man?

• Why do I feel rejected or left out?

• How do I gain confidence?

• Where do I belong?

Online spaces often offer clear, confident answers to these questions.

They provide:

• a sense of belonging

• a model of masculinity

• explanations for rejection

• rules for how to succeed

For a teenage boy who feels uncertain or overlooked, that can be incredibly compelling.

At the same time, some of these narratives present relationships in ways that are transactional, competitive or hierarchical, which can narrow how boys understand themselves and others, particularly girls and young women.

Why This Matters for All Young People

While much of the conversation focuses on boys, the impact doesn’t stop there.

As a parent of a teenage girl, I find myself thinking about the broader picture — the environment our young people are growing up in, and the messages they are absorbing about each other.

When boys are exposed to rigid or adversarial ideas about masculinity and relationships, it can influence:

• how they relate to girls

• how they interpret rejection

• how they communicate and connect

And equally, girls are navigating their own online spaces, forming expectations about relationships, identity and self-worth.

These parallel influences shape the kinds of relationships young people come to expect — and the standards they set for themselves and each other.

What Parents Often Notice First

Parents rarely hear their sons describe what they’re watching.

Instead, they notice small shifts over time.

These might include:

• increasing cynicism about relationships

• language that sounds borrowed from online influencers

• withdrawal from family or usual activities

• rigid ideas about masculinity or “alpha” status

• heightened sensitivity to rejection or comparison

These changes can feel confusing, especially when they don’t seem to match the child you’ve known.

What Teenage Boys Are Actually Looking For

Most boys drawn to these spaces are not looking for conflict.

They are looking for:

• belonging

• guidance

• confidence

• a sense of identity

• someone who understands their experience

When those needs aren’t met in everyday life, the internet often steps in.

Recognising this allows us to respond with both clarity and compassion setting boundaries around harmful ideas while still taking boys’ experiences seriously.

A Different Conversation About Masculinity

One of the most helpful things adults can offer boys is space.

Space to talk about:

• rejection

• anger

• loneliness

• relationships

• identity

• what it means to be a man

Without judgement.Without dismissal.Without shame.

These conversations also create opportunities to explore what respectful, mutual and healthy relationships look like — not as rules imposed from outside, but as something boys can understand, question and shape for themselves.

They don’t need perfect answers.

They need connection, curiosity and consistency.

When Additional Support Can Help

Sometimes, these conversations are easier with someone outside the family.

A space where boys can:

• explore their thoughts openly

• try to make sense of what they’re seeing online

• have another adult listen and validate their experience

• explore their values and sense of identity

Psychological support can gently address rigid, external definitions of masculinity and teach grounding and techniques to question whether what we hear is aligned with our values and beliefs or not.

If You’re Concerned About Your Son

If this topic has raised questions for you, you’re not alone.

Many parents are navigating this right now.

You can read James McIntosh’s blog here:👉 https://www.conscioushealthclinic.com/post/raising-boys-in-2025-the-male-loneliness-epidemic-the-manosphere-and-what-parents-can-do-today

If you’d like support for your son, James works with adolescent boys and young men at Conscious Health Clinic in Wollongong and via telehealth.

Appointments can be booked online or through our reception team.