Dr. Darragh McCashin joins us to explore how the online world affects our boys' mental, emotional and social development, offering insights on navigating digital challenges while supporting healthy masculinity.
• Different responses to toxic online content: some boys consume and ignore, others parrot without understanding, some believe and embody, and some gradually adopt beliefs over time
• Research shows social media bans don't reduce overall usage—children simply "make up for lost time" outside restricted hours
• Critical digital literacy is more effective than restriction, teaching young people to recognize manipulation and question sources
• The term "toxic masculinity" can be counterproductive, potentially pathologizing boyhood itself
• "Pre-bunking" techniques can help children identify misinformation patterns before encountering them
• Open conversations about masculinity provide space for boys to develop healthy perspectives
• Screen time is less important than what it's replacing—sleep, physical activity, in-person social connections
• Collaborative approaches to setting digital boundaries work better than unilateral restrictions
• The psychological impact of digital communication patterns on Gen Z's workplace preferences and social interactions
• Prevention strategies for online harms must consider individual differences and family dynamics
Check out the Anti-Bullying Centre website and search "Masculinity Influencers" for free resources to help navigate these conversations with the young people in your life.
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