Are our boys safe online?
How to protect your teen from dangerous digital influences
Public discourse around online indoctrination and the ‘manosphere’ is at an all-time high after the release of Netflix’s UK production Adolescence earlier this year, and the rise of problematic content shared by influencers like self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate.
While it’s a positive step forward that these conversations are being drawn out of the shadows, there is limited information available for those seeking to help protect children and teenagers from the toxic communities they may encounter in digital landscapes.
We spoke to UQ experts Professor Jolanda Jetten, Head of UQ’s School of Psychology and Professor Alina Morawska, Director of the Parenting and Family Support Centre to unpack how online radicalisation works, how to identify potential warning signs and how to approach someone you care about if you think they need help.
What is online indoctrination?
In today's digital age, the internet serves as a vast repository of information, offering both opportunities and challenges.
Among its more concerning aspects is the rise of online communities that subtly influence young minds, leading them down paths of radicalisation.
Online indoctrination isn’t always overt, but it often begins with a community that claims to expose the truth that the broader society may overlook or suppress.
These groups frequently promote narratives that cast certain social dynamics as injustices, particularly focusing on issues related to gender and societal roles.
Professor Jetten said such communities try to give clear answers to questions that young people might have and often foster a sense of dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, such as men no longer having a dominant role in society.
“These black and white narratives, coupled with feelings of injustice, can motivate young male readers to show the online group that one is not afraid to engage in extreme behaviour to restore what is seen as men’s rightful position,” Professor Jetten said.
“This could include showing hostility towards women and opposing efforts aimed at achieving gender equality.”
Young people, especially those grappling with identity and purpose, may find these black and white perspectives on gender roles comforting.
“These groups frequently exhibit characteristics similar to those found in cults,” Professor Jetten explains.
“They work to draw a young person in and try to cut them off psychologically from their family, peer group and school friends.
“Young people influenced by these online groups may become withdrawn regarding their online activities and hesitate to discuss their beliefs openly with parents and peers.
“They increasingly see the world as an ‘us’, the online community who is right and ‘them’, anyone else, parents and peers included, who might not share the online views.”
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Who is most susceptible?
While susceptibility to online radicalisation can affect anyone, certain periods in life may increase vulnerability. Adolescence, a time marked by identity exploration and emotional sensitivity, is particularly critical.
During this stage, individuals are more likely to seek belonging and purpose, making them prime targets for online groups who offer clear answers and promise a sense of community and identity.
“In the transition from boy to man, boys may become hypersensitive to what it takes to become a man and they might seek answers, particularly online,” Professor Jetten said.
“'Incel' or involuntary celibate, - narratives can become appealing as they provide clarity to some individuals' quests for understanding and present straightforward explanations: the notion that men have lost a perceived superior status in society and that there are justifications for reclaiming that status.”
Recognising the signs and how to help
One of the most deceptive aspects of online radicalisation is its subtlety.
Content is often consumed in isolation, and belief systems can shift gradually without the overt signs indicating change – this can make it challenging for parents and educators to detect.
“Often peers might be quicker to realise that someone is radicalising than parents so there is a real need to educate our young people about the dynamics of online communities and the potential for manipulation so teens are well equipped to support each other,” Professor Jetten said.
“Encouraging critical thinking, promoting digital literacy, and fostering open communication can empower individuals to navigate the online world more safely and responsibly.
“Transparency is key - teens should understand how online content is curated and why some groups try to draw them in.
“It's essential that we do not vilify the internet and the support or connections it can offer, especially for young people who may feel they lack these in other areas of their lives.
“Being active online and even living a life online is not necessarily a bad thing - many teenagers receive social support online in ways they might not easily get from parents or school friends,” says Professor Jetten.
What can I do to help protect my teen?
Professor Morawska emphasises that during the teenage years, parents still play a crucial role in influencing multiple areas of their adolescent’s development and behaviour.
“Parents can support their children to engage with screens and the online world in a healthy way,” Professor Morawska explains.
“One of the key issues for parents to consider is how to help their adolescent to build the skills needed to navigate the online world in a way that is autonomous, considered, skilled and critically informed.”
Professor Morawska shared some practical tips that can assist parents in helping their children stay safe online:
Positive relationships: Positive parent–child relationships and an encouraging family climate are important - not only in their own right but to create an environment for parents and their teens to have open, honest conversations about things going on in their teens’ life, including their online world.
Mindful use of technology: Adolescents mirror their parents' social media and screen use habits. This highlights the importance of parents setting positive examples and being mindful of what they model to their children. Parents can model both passively (e.g. time spent on devices) as well as actively (e.g. showing their teen how to manage privacy settings).
Open and honest ongoing dialogues: Regular conversations, technical safety guidance and actively monitoring what teens are accessing are also important. Ideally, this sits within an open, trusting relationship with the parent, where the parent is ‘askable’ – that is, the teen perceives their parent to be calm and open to having conversations and answering difficult questions.
Boundaries: Setting limits around the amount of screen use, location and timing of screen use can also be helpful. Ideally these are negotiated with the adolescent early, rather than as a reaction to already problematic use.
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What do I do if I think my teen has been indoctrinated?
According to Professor Jetten, confrontation rarely works when someone has adopted an extreme belief system and engaging with someone with radical beliefs requires sensitivity and understanding.
“More can be achieved by trying to work out why such a belief system has become compelling to them or what emotional or social gap the online community is filling,” Professor Jetten said.
“It’s also important to keep in mind that your child isn’t inherently engaging in problematic behaviour, and you aren’t a bad parent if you are not aware of their online activities.
“Unfortunately, online indoctrination isn’t going away so it’s up to us to inform, empower and support our young people to recognise the risks and to help them navigate the internet safely.”
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