Recent debates highlight how boys and young men (BYM) are negotiating a rapidly changing digital spaces, where notions of masculinity are constantly being produced and contested. While concerns have been raised about exposure to ‘toxic masculinity’ and antifeminist influencers, less attention has been paid to how BYM interpret and respond to these dynamics in everyday contexts. Drawing on mixed-methods research with young men in Australia and China, this study explores how digital platforms—from gaming to social media—shape identity, belonging, and wellbeing. Key themes include the pressures of body image, the appeal of influencers and online echo chambers as well as the tensions between self-improvement discourses and feelings of inadequacy. Furthermore, the research highlights BYM’s agency, showing how they use digital spaces for connection, activism, and self-expression while they are also engaged in digital safeguarding. By foregrounding both risks and opportunities, this project provides insight into how we might better support BYM to navigate masculinities in digital cultures and make strategic recommendations that will positively impact their futures.
