S2, Ep6 (Movember Special): The Meaning of Young Men's Health in a Digital Age.

The Meaning of Men

With nearly two-thirds of young men following masculinity influencers, isn’t it time we asked why?

In this episode, we welcome back to the show Dr. Krista Fisher from Movember. We unpack Movember's latest research into how digital spaces are shaping the health, relationships, and identity of young men.

The report, Young Men's Health in a Digital Age, explores the influence of online content creators — particularly those focused on masculinity. We talk about their rise into the mainstream, the reasons boys are drawn to them, and the complex contradictions of how these influencers can offer both short-term hope and long-term harm.

This hugely important conversation gets to the heart of what it means to grow up as a young man today — and how we can better support them in a world that’s becoming more divided, more digital, and more confusing than ever.

Link to the full report:

https://uk.movember.com/movember-institute/masculinities-report

Timestamps:

00:00: Introduction to Young Men's Health Research 07:15: Understanding Online Influences on Young Men's Health 12:55: The Impact of Media on Young Men's Perception 17:30: Engaging Young Men in Conversations 21:48: The Role of Masculinity Influencers 27:09: Decoupling Toxicity from Masculinity 34:17: Contradictions in Young Men's Mental Health 39:27: Case Study: Will's Journey with Influencers 42:16: The Search for Masculinity 43:40: Understanding Influences on Young Men 46:03: The Impact of Loneliness 49:03: Social Media: Connection or Isolation? 50:31: Contradictions in Relationships 55:17: Frustrations with Dating 01:03:05: A Healthier World for All 01:08:28: Future Directions for Young Men's Health