Since the advent of the internet, it has slowly grown in people’s lives. The average person is now spending more time in front of a screen than ever before.
Now researchers are wondering what effects this quantity of screen time might be having on the human psyche, and their findings are shocking. While women have been affected by trends on social media, the impact on men may be even higher.
Many are seeking mental wellness support for men navigating compulsive behaviors, especially as issues like pornography addiction begin to disrupt their daily lives and lead to a loss of control.
The types of problems that men face are different from those of women and reflect the different ways these genders use the internet. For women, most problems stem from overuse of social media, while for men, it’s more about a struggle with masculinity.
Online Toxicity
Top of the list of problems on the front lines of the internet is online toxicity. Many men are subject to trolling, harassment and cyberbullying but also told that it is a part of being a member of a male-dominated online space.
For example, men are more likely to face abuse for posting their opinions online, with more than a third of men saying that the pushback they received was serious, verging on criminal.
The problem is that many men are taught to shrug off instances like this.They’re told that they just have to be a ‘man’ about it, when the truth is that many of these interactions are deeply hurtful.
Masculinity Issues
Relating to abuse are masculinity issues. The internet is a breeding ground for opposing views about what it means to be a man, and what men should be doing with their time. Online communities, like Reddit, are full of threads by “red pill” gurus and fitness influencers pushing destructive narratives and impossible body types. Many men can get caught down the rabbit hole when exploring these, looking for answers but ultimately winding up with a warped view of the world and how it really operates.
In some cases, forums and blogs glorify emotional suppression. Men aren’t supposed to let their true natures out, just in case they receive blow-back from society.
Much of this posturing occurs between men inside communities where women are absent. However, many males feel a general societal pressure not to allow themselves to look weak and almost maintain a positive outlook, even if their circumstances don’t warrant it.
Porn Addiction
The issue of porn addition is also a significant problem for men on the internet, and something that may be behind the decline in dating. Many men experience so-called “compulsive viewing,” which means that they get a persistent urge to watch adult material online, even when it runs counter to their personal responsibilities.
The need to constantly be online on adult websites leads to diminishing returns, similar to many drug addictions, causing social and psychological problems for those involved.
The most common sign that someone has a problem is loss of control, despite frequent attempts to cut back or stop. Many men find that they can’t avoid using raunchy websites, mostly at home, but even at the office.
Another sign is emotional distress. Many men feel guilty about their compulsive behavior or frustration that they can’t stop their porn use. Often, they feel trapped in a cycle that they can’t break out of on their own, with most of the negative feelings arriving afterwards.
Porn use can also lead to strained relationships in some contexts. Partners of men who use porn may develop trust issues or view it as a form of “cheating,” depending on the nature of the relationship.
Digital Hustle
The digital hustle is another significant issue for men. Many young people follow gurus online who tell them that to get rich, they need to spend every hour of their day working. Men in the 25 to 40 age bracket are most at risk, but even older adults can be affected.
Digital hustle entrepreneurs are problematic because they often lure in victims with promises of making a lot of money and then overcharge them for courses or books that don’t really help them. Many simply put up work for people to go through but it doesn’t offer them value, and they wind up worse off as a result.
Some particularly toxic influencers encourage men to spend their last few dollars on their programs because it could be their ticket to success. They use psychological manipulation tactics, like urgency or reverse psychology to get impressionable young adults to hand over their hard-earned money.
Physical Health
Finally, a lot of men using the internet can pull back from physical activity. What’s happening on the screens in front of them is often more compelling than doing something in real life.
More men, for example, are complaining of back and hip pain because of the amount of time they spend sitting down. A lot are also discovering that they have problems with metabolism because they aren’t moving around as much as they should be.
It’s not uncommon in today’s economy for some men to spend upwards of 12 hours a day in front of screens, whether it’s for work or pleasure. No matter how you slice it, that is too much time to be glued to websites and social media platforms, and it provides influencers with more opportunities to fill their minds with their ideas, which may not be in men’s best interest as a group.
Men who are struggling with the effects of internet use are encouraged to seek help from professionals. Specialist counselors are now available to assist with porn addiction and other issues.
