The new Netflix series, Adolescence, has lots of parents on high alert for signs that their teenagers are engaging with harmful content online. The show follows the story of a troubled teen boy in the aftermath of an act of violence against a female classmate. As the plot unfolds, we learn that the main character, Jamie, has fallen down a rabbit hole of misogynistic content online.
How do teen boys become radicalized online?
Adolescence touches on many fears parents have about raising teens, particularly when it comes to the harmful content they might be exposed to online. Of course, most teens don’t intentionally seek out content that leads them to become radicalized—but extremist content is, in fact, baked into the algorithms that determine what people see online.
When kids go online, they get served content through these social media algorithms that determine what they’re most likely to engage with. Unfortunately, teen boys often end up being served content by influencers who advocate for white male supremacy, and vilify women and others who step outside of traditional gender roles.
One subculture within online extremism is “incel” culture (short for “involuntarily celibate”), which is made up of men who blame their lack of success in romance on women and society in general. It’s important to note that the vast majority of boys aren’t searching for incel or extremist material—it’s being served to them whether they want it or not.
The more extremist, white male supremacist content a teenager is shown, the more likely it becomes that his beliefs will start to shift to align with this content. The more radical his beliefs become, the more likely it becomes that he may act out on those beliefs through bullying, harassment, or even violence.
What are the signs of radicalization?
If you’re worried that your child may be seeing content online that is pushing them towards harmful, radicalized views, keep an eye out for a shift in their beliefs or language, like using certain symbols, emojis, and words. Here are some signs to look out for that may indicate your child is engaging with harmful content online—
- Withdrawing from in-person social activities
- Increased time spent online, particularly on social media
- Talking about new beliefs or drastically shifting opinions on social issues
- NOT talking about beliefs or opinions they once felt comfortable sharing with you
- Mental health issues such as depression, substance abuse, or suicidal ideation
- Using new, “in-group” language or slang, or using certain symbols or images
That “in-group” language can be difficult to parse from typical teen slang, but here are some keywords to listen out for in your teen’s communication that are commonly used in incel or extremist circles online—
- Female: A derogatory way to refer to women and girls.
- Alpha/Beta: A status system in incel/male supremacist culture in which Alpha males are considered more dominant, and Beta males are more passive and weak.
- Red/Blue/Black pill: Those who are “red-pilled” tend to align with incel ideology, while the black pill represents the more extreme version of this ideology that believes the system is too far gone to change. The blue pill represents those who have not yet “seen the truth” of male supremacist ideology.
- Chad/Stacy: These names refer to archetypes of men and women who are traditionally successful in dating and romance because of their hypermasculine or feminine traits.
- Cuck: This sexual term refers to a man whose wife has been unfaithful, and is often used in incel culture to signify a weak, emasculated man.
- Soyboy: Another insult regularly used in misogynist culture against other men they deem to be insufficiently masculine.
- MRA (Men’s Rights Activists): This group rejects the principles of feminism and argues that men are more likely to experience discrimination and harmful outcomes because of the gains women have made in society.
- PUA (Pick-up artists): This is a subculture of men whose goal is to seduce women through charm, manipulation and/or coercion.
Parents who have seen Adolescence may remember a scene where some of the characters talk about the emojis teens often use, kind of like a code language. Here’s how that code might look if your child has been engaging with extremist male supremacist content online—
- 💊 Red pill: Refers to someone changing their beliefs toward male supremacy and misogyny.
- 🧨 Dynamite: Refers to someone becoming an “incel” (involuntarily celibate person), a man who blames their lack of romantic success on women and society.
- 💯 80-20 Rule: Refers to the popular concept among incels that 80 percent of women are attracted to 20 percent of men.
- 🫘 Red beans: Used to identify incels or show someone’s alignment with incel ideology.
What should I do if my child shows signs of online radicalization?
Being aware of symbols like these and other signs of radicalization can help you address any concerns before they escalate further. If you suspect your child is becoming radicalized online, it’s important to take steps quickly to assess the situation, without being judgmental or punitive. Be a safe place for your child to talk through their feelings and questions.
Another helpful step is to brush up on media literacy skills with your teen, as a refresher on how to identify harmful or false information online. Teaching your child to think critically can help them determine which content is trying to deliberately manipulate them.
Finally, it may be helpful to consult with a mental health professional if you’re feeling concerned that your child’s beliefs are becoming extreme or violent. Establishing a good relationship between your child and a trusted therapist or counselor can provide an outlet for them to explore and challenge any shifting thoughts or beliefs in a non-judgmental setting.
