2025数字荒野中的男孩：网络文化、身份认同与幸福

Boys in theDigital Wild: Online Culture, Identity, and Well-Being COMMON SENSE MEDIA IS GRATEFUL FOR THE GENEROUS SUPPORTAND UNDERWRITING THAT FUNDED THIS RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT Bezos Family FoundationJennifer Caldwell and John H.N. Fisher Boys in the Digital Wild: Online Culture, Identity, and Well-Being Credits Key Findings Common Sense Media conducted a nationally representa-tive survey of 1,017 adolescent boys age 11 to 17 acrossthe United States in July 2025 to understand how digitalenvironments shape masculine identity developmentduring adolescence. The study examined boys' engagementpatterns across social media platforms and gaming commu-nities, their exposure to online masculinity content andinfluencers, and how these digital experiences relate totheir emotional well-being, self-esteem, and real-worldrelationships. 1.Nearly three-quarters of adolescentboys regularly see "digital masculinity"content. Nearly three-quarters of boys (73%) regularly encountermasculinity-related content, and nearly one in four (23%)experience high levels of exposure. Boys most commonlyencounter messages about making money (44%), buildingmuscle (39%), and fighting or weapons (35%). Exposure increases with age: Older boys (age 14 to 17) seesignificantly more of this content than younger boys (age 11to 13). Base: Total adolescent boys (N = 1,017). 2. Over two-thirds encounter problematicgender stereotypes online. Base: Total adolescent boys (N = 1,017). Over two-thirds of adolescent boys (69%) regularly seemasculinity content that promotes problematic gender ste-reotypes. This includes messages that girls only want todate certain types of guys (28%), that girls use their looks toget what they want (25%), that boys are treated unfairlycompared to girls (12%), or that girls should focus on homeand family (12%). Out of the 69% of adolescent boys whosee this content regularly, one in five (20%) see these mes-sages at the highest exposure levels, meaning they hadencountered at least three of the four problematicmessages. 3.Boys with heavy digital masculinityexposure have more negativeself-esteem. Base: Total adolescent boys (N = 1,017; High digital masculinity exposure, n = 275;Moderate exposure, n = 508; Low exposure, n = 233). Most boys report healthy self-esteem, but those with highdigital masculinity exposure are more likely to struggle.Overall, 14% of boys with high digital masculinity exposurehave low self-esteem (vs. 5% low and 7% moderate expo-sure). They're more likely to feel "useless at times" (39% vs.24% with low exposure) and think they're "no good" (34%vs. 16% with low exposure). 4. Boys with high digital masculinityexposure are significantly more likelyto suppress their emotions and avoidvulnerability, but they maintain thecapacity to care for others. Boys with high digital masculinity exposure are significantlymore likely to adhere to traditional masculine norms (58%vs. 41% with low exposure). These norms may be expressedin specific beliefs and behaviors. For example, boys withhigh exposure to digital masculinity content are nearly fourtimes more likely to believe that sharing worries makesthem look weak (40% vs. 11% with low exposure), are morelikely to hide hurt feelings from friends (50% vs. 30%), andare more likely to avoid discussing feelings altogether (67%vs. 53%). However, boys still embrace caring behaviors, with 62%believing in being friendly even to those who are unfriendlyto them, 55% putting others' needs before their own, and51% caring about others' feelings more than their own.These findings point to a tension in boys' relationships:They often feel comfortable caring for others, but less com-fortable asking for care themselves. Base: Total adolescent boys (N = 1,017; High digital masculinity exposure, n = 275; Low exposure, n = 233). 5.Boys who are exposed to higher levelsof digital masculinity content are morelikely to report being lonely. Base: Total adolescent boys (N = 1,017). More than one in four adolescent boys (26%) report feelinglonely. Boys who are being exposed to high or moderatelevels of digital masculinity content are more likely toreport being lonely than boys who have the lowest level ofexposure to this content (18% low vs. 29% moderate and30% high). Boys who are lonely are less active in real-lifesocial activities. They play video games with friends lessoften (55% vs. 74% of boys who are not lonely) and hang outin person much less frequently (27% vs. 50%). Base: Total adolescent boys (N = 1,017; High digital masculinity exposure, n = 275;Moderate exposure, n = 508; Low exposure, n = 233). Many boys feel pressure to follow"unwritten rules" to avoid teasing. To avoid being teased or picked on, nearly half of boys(46%) believe they must not cry, show sadness, or showfear. Other "unwritten rules" include not acting "gay" or"feminine" (38%), using humor instead of being seriousabout problems (35%), always acting confident (35%), pre-tending not to care too much