Article summary
- Online radicalisation is escalating via algorithm-driven exposure to toxic male influencers.
- Adolescent boys are vulnerable due to identity development, impulsivity and social isolation.
- Lack of healthy role models pushes boys toward harmful online figures.
- Incel culture reflects deeper issues like loneliness, rejection and poor self-worth.
- Psychologists must understand digital culture and language to spot and address early warning signs.
- Trust is key in therapy – connection before correction.
- Prevention requires resilience-building, not censorship – healthy outlets beat restrictions.
- Explore APS’s new CPD training ‘Mainstreaming the manosphere’s misogyny: exploring how teen boys navigate the Andrew Tate Effect.’
The radicalisation of young boys and men online is a growing concern that's been placed in the spotlight in Netflix's recently released series, 'Adolescence'. Three educational and developmental psychologists share their perspectives.
Warning: this article contains mentions of violence. Reader discretion is advised. The article also explores clinical and developmental insights drawn from Adolescence, including reference to central storyline details.
The latest viral Netflix series, Adolescence, has sparked widespread conversation for its bold portrayal of the murky and complex factors that precede the online radicalisation of young boys.
At the heart of the narrative is the so-called ‘manosphere’ – a constellation of online spaces that promote toxic masculinity, misogynistic ideologies, pick-up ‘artistry’, and incel (involuntarily celibate) culture.
Set in the aftermath of a young girl's murder at the hands of her 13-year-old classmate, Jamie, the series has been praised for its cinematic ambition – notably its one-take shooting style – and for daring to explore a subject many consider too fraught to tackle on screen.
Yet for psychologists, Adolescence is more than just a provocative piece of entertainment. It serves as a potent cultural mirror and a professional call to action. What does it reveal about the developmental challenges facing young boys? And how can parents, educators, clinicians and community leaders intervene early to counter the rising tide of misogynistic – and sometimes violent – behaviour among adolescent males?
In a recent episode of the Subject for Change podcast, the official podcast of the APS College of Educational & Developmental Psychologists, Maximilian White, Camelia Wilkinson and Dr Chelsea Hyde, who are all educational and developmental psychologists, discuss the show and pull out some of the key themes relevant to their fellow psychologists.
“As a psychologist, there’s so much to unpack in this series,” says Dr Chelsea Hyde.
It touches on an array of complex, intersecting issues – from intergenerational trauma and disrupted attachment patterns, to the psychological underpinnings of incel ideology and the insidious reach of the ‘manosphere’ into adolescent development.
It also surfaces the often-hidden online behaviours of young people, the social and emotional isolation that can drive them toward radicalised narratives, and the devastating ripple effects that violence and incarceration can have across families and communities.
"One of the main themes it brings up for me is the state of men's mental health," says White. "In 2023 in Australia, there were 2419 suicide deaths for males versus 795 suicide deaths for females. The other key theme explored is violence against women, which has sparked a lot of debate."
Read APS's 2025 Thinking Futures report, which explores the mental health impacts of domestic and family violence against women and girls.
Beyond that, the show also raises pressing questions about the developmental vulnerabilities of adolescent boys – particularly in the context of identity formation and peer belonging – and the glaring need for early intervention, media literacy and emotionally attuned role models.
“The show has a high shock factor," says Dr Hyde. "It has sparked a real concern about what’s happening with young men and boys, and how these influences are shaping their development and relationships.
“One scene in particular – where the psychologist interviews the young boy [which uncovered Jamie's aggressive/manipulative behaviours for the first time] – has prompted significant discussion among my colleagues and students. It’s a powerful moment that forces us to confront deeply uncomfortable truths. But that discomfort is necessary. It’s what compels us to have these urgent conversations.”
Dr Hyde notes that the series echoes a broader cultural narrative that demands attention.
“The media keeps reminding us that our boys are not alright. We know there are significant risk factors at play – and this series brings those issues into sharp focus. It highlights why young males are particularly vulnerable to radicalisation and harmful ideologies.”
However, White cautions that the show may miss important context.
“One shortcoming is its lack of attention to the structural and psychosocial precursors of violent behaviour – such as poverty, trauma, or substance misuse. These factors often underpin radicalisation but weren’t fully explored in the series. However, according to the law of large numbers, statistically improbable things do happen."
Dr Hyde says part of what makes the show so jarring is the absence of those obvious warning signs.
“The boy at the centre of this story is so young, and appears to come from a stable, loving family. That’s unsettling. But it also reflects a truth: children don’t need to come from overtly dysfunctional environments to be vulnerable. Many 13-year-olds are on social media – and even younger boys, in grades five and six, are already absorbing toxic messages about masculinity. That’s deeply concerning.”
Unfortunately, we don't have to look to fiction or overseas to see examples of this behaviour in action. We've seen multiple instances of young boys in Australian schools being reprimanded for worrying misogynistic behavior.
These are by no means isolated incidents. Research from Monash University found an alarming increase in sexism, sexual harassment and misogyny in Australian schools, including examples of boys gaslighting or intimidating their female teachers.
"We're dealing with adolescents whose prefrontal cortex is still developing," says Dr Hyde. "They often struggle with impulsivity and decision-making. While this doesn't excuse their actions, it does provide context.
"These are young people making serious mistakes – mistakes that are then amplified through public scrutiny, media coverage and even commentary from political leaders like the Premier. The impact of this kind of exposure is profound."
Wilkinson has seen this first-hand.
“I see this in my own practice – not only among boys displaying harmful behaviours, but also through the experiences of young female clients who’ve been bullied or abused by boys their age. Watching the show felt like a reflection of what’s already happening here in Australia. It might not always escalate to the same extremes, but the patterns are disturbingly familiar.”
I see this in my own practice...Watching the show felt like a reflection of what’s already happening here in Australia.” – Camelia Wilkinson
Understanding incel culture
For a lot of people, watching this show may have been their first touchpoint with the concept of 'incel culture'.
Incel – short for "involuntary celibate" – culture refers to an online subculture made up primarily of heterosexual men and boys who express frustration over and blame women for their perceived inability to form romantic or sexual relationships.
At its core, this culture is underpinned by a deep sense of rejection, resentment and identity diffusion, often manifesting in misogynistic beliefs, fatalism, extreme online rhetoric, and, as depicted in the show, violent behaviours.
For psychologists, incel culture offers a window into how digital communities can shape and reinforce maladaptive belief systems, particularly around masculinity, self-worth and interpersonal relationships.
From a developmental and clinical perspective, incel ideology often intersects with underlying vulnerabilities, including social anxiety, trauma, attachment difficulties and identity confusion.
Many individuals who gravitate toward incel forums report experiences of social exclusion, bullying or chronic loneliness.
The internet provides both a sense of belonging and an echo chamber that can exacerbate these cognitive distortions (e.g. black-and-white thinking, global self-blame, learned helplessness).
Understanding this cultural phenomenon is crucial for psychologists working with young men, particularly in preventative contexts and interventions aimed at building relational skills, challenging maladaptive narratives, and addressing the emotional drivers behind radicalised online behaviour.
How are these boys finding these online groups? That's where the algorithm comes in. In a 2022 study, researchers created 10 experimental YouTube accounts, including profiles representing four boys under the age of 18, four young men over 18, and two neutral control accounts with no defined user traits.
According to Monash University, the study revealed that boys and young men were quickly drawn into the manosphere via YouTube’s 'recommended video' algorithm. This effect was particularly pronounced on YouTube Shorts, where the platform's algorithm escalated rapidly.
According to the findings, the algorithm appeared to "optimise more aggressively in response to user behaviour and display increasingly extreme content within a relatively short period”.
This is an alarming warning sign of just how quickly young people can be exposed to worrying online content.
The search for role models – and where it can go wrong
For many adolescent boys, the search for a role model is a natural part of identity development. During early to mid-teenage years, the need for guidance, structure and aspiration intensifies. In the absence of strong, real-life influences, many turn to the internet – a space overflowing with unfiltered, often toxic voices.
“Andrew Tate is the clearest example of that,” says White.
Wilkinson agrees, noting how these online figures often embed harmful ideas within a veneer of seemingly positive messages.
“What I found fascinating – and troubling – is that even knowing what I do about [Andrew] Tate, I could see how persuasive his initial messaging is. At first, it's about working out, eating well, looking after yourself. But then it starts to morph into hyper-masculine rhetoric – take control, dominate, reject vulnerability – until it becomes overtly misogynistic. It’s textbook toxic masculinity, slipped in under the guise of self-improvement.”
White adds that this bait-and-switch tactic is what makes these figures so effective – and so dangerous.
“I’ve watched his content for educational purposes. On the surface, you get advice like don’t smoke, save money, be disciplined. But then, almost imperceptibly, the message shifts – to women being possessions, to dominance being the goal. It’s easy to see how a boy without strong guidance could fall into that trap.”
What psychologists can do
What happens when a boy sitting in your consulting room starts showing early signs of this radicalised thinking? Curiosity is key – both about the young person and the digital culture they inhabit.
You need a working knowledge of the language, the memes, the subcultures and influencers shaping their worldview.
"If we can’t translate their world, we can’t meet them in it," says Wilkinson.
Dr Chelsea Hyde echoes this, recalling a powerful scene from Adolescence in which a detective fails to grasp the digital evidence in plain sight.
“His own son tells him, ‘Dad, the evidence is there – you just don’t know how to read it.’ That disconnect is very real. We must learn the social language of young people if we want to understand how they’re forming relationships and navigating identity.”
Being attuned to the influencers shaping a young person’s values is equally important, says Dr Hyde.
“If a boy is describing girls in a certain way or normalising objectification, ask: where is that coming from? Who’s modelling that behaviour? These are the entry points to understanding their internalised narratives about gender, power and relationships.”
Wilkinson adds, “We have to dismantle these ideas with compassion, not judgment. Our job isn’t to shame them, but to help them unpack how these beliefs formed – and offer an alternative.”
Build connection first
White underscores the importance of connection as the foundation for any therapeutic progress.
“Find common ground – whether it’s sport, gaming, music – anything that helps build trust. Because if you go in talking about ‘appropriate’ versus ‘inappropriate’ before you’ve built rapport, you’ll lose them.”
He draws on principles from cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy.
“It’s about helping them recognise that the mind is a machine producing thoughts, feelings and impulses – all of which are valid. But we can choose how to respond. We can explore how those internal experiences connect to behaviours, especially around emerging sexuality and relationships.”
Quoting novelist Robert Smith Suretees, he adds: “The life of a gentleman is spent in the suppression of his impulses.” But he’s quick to clarify: “It’s not about denying those impulses – it’s about giving them a healthy outlet.”
That outlet could be sport, creative expression, or peer group subcultures grounded in purpose.
“I grew up in skateboarding and snowboarding communities. Our energy went into pushing boundaries through physical challenge, not alcohol or aggression.”
Rethinking masculinity – and responsibility
Dr Hyde cautions against labelling masculinity as either toxic or positive in isolation.
“It’s more nuanced than that. We should be helping boys explore what masculinity means to them – and who shaped that definition. That’s where meaningful change begins.”
She sees a dual responsibility between schools and parents.
“Schools must embed education around healthy relationships and respectful behaviour into the curriculum – for all genders. But parents also need to stay close to what their children are consuming online. Be alert to subtle shifts in behaviour and open up conversations: Where did you hear that? Who are you following? What appeals to you about them?”
White points to Adolescence again.
“The prominence of the computer in the boy’s bedroom wasn’t an accident. Parents might take that as a simple but powerful cue – removing internet-connected devices from bedrooms can be a significant first step toward healthier digital boundaries.”
Wilkinson adds, “We also need to take collective responsibility for the online ecosystem we’ve allowed to flourish. It’s unrealistic to think we can shield kids from all of it. Even if social media bans go ahead, they won’t eliminate access.”
What psychologists and communities can do, she says, is equip boys with the language, tools and critical thinking to challenge toxic messages when they encounter them. It's about resilience, not restriction. Teenagers will often find a way to get access to the things they're 'banned from'.
“Think of it like alcohol or cigarettes – bans create boundaries, but they don’t eliminate use." says White. "The real work is in shaping expectations and building the capacity to resist.”
Helping boys channel their energy flow in constructive directions – whether through sport, gaming, creativity or social activism – is a far more effective strategy than trying to “dam the river,” he says.
Because, in the end, prevention isn’t about censorship – it’s about connection, curiosity and a commitment to building stronger, healthier models of masculinity.
Further resources
Please note: The views expressed in this article and podcast are those of the presenters and guests, and not representative of the APS or the College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists.