What Movember’s Latest Report Tells Us About Young Men's Health in a Digital Age.

In a world where young men are spending more time online than ever, Movember’s new report, Young Men’s Health in a Digital Age, couldn’t be more timely.

In the latest episode of The Meaning of Men Podcast Movember's Dr Krista Fisher, who helped put the report together, explains how digital ecosystems – particularly influencer content on social media – are shaping the offline health and identity of boys and young men.

This isn’t just another warning about screen time. It's a nuanced, data-driven exploration of how young men are constructing meaning, masculinity and connection in the digital world. From motivation and purpose to depression in men and disconnection, this report lays bare the contradictions of modern masculinity online.

One of the most striking revelations? 63% of young men are regularly engaging with men or masculinity influencers – and nearly 40% act on their advice. These aren’t passive scrolls; they’re lifestyle-altering engagements. The influencers are often seen as inspiring and helpful, even as they sometimes thread in harmful or extreme views.

In this blog, we unpack five key takeaways from Movember's report and what they mean for anyone who cares about mental health awareness and the future of young men.

1. Influencers Are The Symptom - Not The Root Cause

Let’s be clear: most young men aren’t turning to online influencers because they’re “brainwashed” or seeking controversy. According to Movember’s study, they’re turning to them because they’re entertaining, motivating, and inspiring. That’s a powerful trio for anyone feeling uncertain, anxious, or unsure of their place in the world.

Influencers often offer clear, tangible advice—how to get fit, how to get the girl, how to “become a man.” For young men wading through the murky waters of identity, dating, and self-worth, that sense of direction is intoxicating. And when society isn’t providing clear, positive models of masculinity, these influencers rush in to fill the vacuum.

But here’s where it gets tricky. While much of their content starts off as well-meaning or positive, some of it can take a sharp turn into toxic narratives—misogyny, financial control, emotional suppression. Often, it’s so subtle that young men don’t even notice until it’s too late. That doesn’t mean we should silence them. It means we need to do more to understand why young men are drawn to these spaces in the first place—and what we can create as better alternatives.

Masculinity Isn’t Toxic – But It’s Often Misunderstood

The term “toxic masculinity” gets thrown around a lot. But Movember’s research suggests we need to stop lumping masculinity and toxicity together. Masculinity isn’t inherently bad—it’s a set of traits, values and roles that many men find identity and pride in. The problem arises when it’s weaponised, simplified, or used to exclude or harm.

Most of the young men in the study were grappling with real questions: “What does it mean to be a good man?” “What role should I play in relationships, work, and society?” When those questions aren’t being answered by healthy role models, influencers step in with a 30-second TikTok promising purpose, success, and admiration.

But here’s the contradiction: many of the same men who feel inspired by these messages also report signs of male depression, sadness and worthlessness when they fall short. It’s not the masculinity that’s the issue—it’s the rigid, unreachable ideal that’s being pushed. Rather than cancelling the conversation, we need to redefine it, giving boys and men the room to explore masculinity on their own terms.

3. Online Inspiration, Offline Isolation

One of the biggest gut punches from the report? 13% of young men surveyed said they had no close friends. That’s one in eight feeling completely alone. And while it’s tempting to blame social media, the reality is more complex.

Loneliness among young men has been rising for decades—even before TikTok and Instagram. What’s changing now is the way they’re compensating for that isolation. Online spaces—whether it’s gaming, YouTube or influencer comment sections—are becoming their main source of connection. And sometimes, they really do help.

But the danger lies when these digital spaces replace offline support entirely. Social media may offer temporary relief, but it can’t replace real friendship. And when influencers promote hyper-independence or shame vulnerability, it only reinforces the belief that reaching out is weak.

Mental health awareness starts by recognising that many young men aren’t antisocial—they’re under-connected. The more we create safe, real-world spaces for boys to build friendships and talk honestly, the less likely they are to seek community in the darker corners of the internet.

4. Dating Frustrations Are Fuel for the Fire

Dating is a minefield—and young men are feeling it. 86% of those watching masculinity influencers said they were frustrated with dating. And it’s not just ghosting or bad Tinder dates. Many believe women don’t care about men, and some hold distorted views about what women want—like only dating men who are rich, tall, or powerful.

Where are they getting these ideas? You guessed it: social media. Influencers often blend helpful advice with regressive attitudes. And dating apps aren’t helping. With filters for height and income, apps reinforce superficial standards, leaving many men feeling invisible before they’ve even had a chance to connect.

It’s no wonder that influencers promising “the secret to becoming high value” are so popular. But that belief system is exhausting—and often leaves young men feeling more worthless than ever. The solution isn’t banning influencers; it’s giving young men better relationship education and real-world opportunities to connect, laugh, fail, and learn—without being judged for their swipe-worthiness.

5. More Optimism, Yet Worse Mental Health – The Confusing Contradictions Explored

Perhaps the most fascinating (and troubling) insight from the report is this: young men watching masculinity influencers report more optimism about their future, and worse mental health outcomes. How does that make sense?

Think of it this way—if an influencer tells you you could have the dream life, all it takes is hustle and confidence, that gives you hope. But when reality doesn’t deliver, that hope turns to self-blame. “If I’m not succeeding, it must be my fault.” That gap between promise and reality can quietly feed depression in men, especially when they’re not taught how to deal with failure compassionately.

This is a warning sign we can’t ignore. Short bursts of confidence from Instagram or TikTok can’t replace real emotional resilience. We need to teach young men how to cope, not just how to grind. Because signs of male depression—worthlessness, restlessness, sadness—are often masked by online optimism. And if we keep mistaking one for the other, we’ll miss the chance to step in when it matters most.

Conclusion - Healthier Men, Healthier World

The digital lives of young men are shaping their mental health in profound, often hidden ways. Movember’s latest research doesn’t just highlight problems—it points to opportunities. Opportunities to listen, to build better role models, and to create spaces where boys and men can explore their identities without shame or extremes.

Let’s stop framing men’s mental health as a zero-sum game. Healthy men mean healthy families, relationships and communities. This is everyone’s issue—and everyone’s opportunity. As Krista Fisher put it so perfectly: young women are struggling and young men are struggling. It's time we acted like both matter. Because they do.