Cyber safety tips to protect teenage boys online

Published December 2025 | 6 min read
Expert contributors: Professor Wayne Warburton, Professor of Developmental Psychology, Macquarie University; Michaela Young, clinical psychologist; Susan McLean, cyber safety expert
Words by Trudie McConnochie

Amid concerns about misogynistic online content, it’s important to be aware of your son’s internet use. Read expert tips on cyber safety for teenage boys.

You probably remember your teenage years as a confusing, awkward time, with adults constantly warning you to ‘be safe’. But for teenagers in the digital age, new pressures and risks are emerging. With the rise of male influencers like Andrew Tate, Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy (aka Sneako) and Adin Ross promoting misogynistic, racist and homophobic messages – along with TV shows like Adolescence depicting the extreme outcomes of unchecked internet activity – many parents are concerned for their children's cyber safety and impact on their mental wellbeing.

According to the eSafety Commissioner, boys often seek out the internet for help understanding what it means to be a man, and their need for “validation, guidance, edginess and belonging” can make them vulnerable to harmful online content. Plus, algorithms can feed them content promoting harmful ideas about masculinity. A 2025 report shows 68% of young Australian men engage with masculinity influencers, while a nationally representative survey of children aged 10 to 17 found 47% had seen or heard offensive, sexist or hurtful things about girls or women online.

Exposure to potentially harmful online content is one reason the Australian Government introduced laws banning people under the age of 16 from having social media accounts from 10 December 2025.

Technology and the teenage brain

Regardless of gender, clinical psychologist Michaela Young says teenagers could be more vulnerable to the emotional and psychological effects of online exposure and its risks than adults.

“There are a couple of things going on for teens developmentally that can impact their technology use,” she explains. “One is that their brains are still developing. The logical part of our brain that helps us problem solve, judge situations and regulate our emotions is still developing up to the age of about 30.

“That’s why teenagers are generally more impulsive, don’t necessarily think through their decisions, and their emotions can sometimes be a lot harder to cope with.”

In other words, teens are less likely to question images and messaging they see online and are more likely to feel affected by these messages.

Professor Wayne Warburton, Professor of Developmental Psychology at Macquarie University, who specialises in gaming addiction, says gaming also carries its own set of consequences for the brain. He explains, "Because video games don’t demand much from executive functions like memory, impulse control or focus, these crucial brain skills can deteriorate from lack of use. This can make it difficult for teens to regulate their emotions, focus on tasks and function in the offline world."

“You start to lose the capacity to manage your emotions, to focus and to manage your time,” he says. “And this loss of executive function worsens over time with addiction." 

Listen to our Navigating Parenthood podcast episode about online gaming and raising savvy children in a connected world.

Balancing the pros and cons of online gaming

Online gaming can be positive, helping young people connect with friends, have fun, build skills and learn new things. But it also carries risks. A 2022 study by Macquarie University found adolescents are likely to be the demographic most vulnerable to screen-based addiction.

Prof Warburton, who co-authored the study, says a sense of belonging, a self-esteem boost or to feel in control are among the reasons young people are drawn to online games. But when gaming tips over into excessive use or even addiction, it can lead to a raft of problems including:

• sleep deprivation
• increased risk of obesity
• reduced school grades and absenteeism
• eyesight problems
• depression and anxiety
• aggressive behaviour.

A small 2024 study from the eSafety Commissioner found 51% of teen gamers (boys and girls) had a negative experience and/or were exposed to potentially harmful content like hate speech, violent content or misogynistic ideas while gaming.

With online gaming currently excluded from the new laws regulating social media use, this exposure to unsafe, unregulated networks and harmful content isn’t set to change anytime soon.

Why we need to help teenage boys process emotions

Prof Warburton says unresolved emotions are often the reason teenage boys game in an unhealthy way.

“Identifying ways to help your child work through stress, sadness and anger that doesn’t involve a game, so that they have this other way of managing those negative feelings – that’s going to be a really helpful thing,” he says.

Encouraging teenage boys to channel their energy and emotions into positive outlets can make a big difference. Physical activity, creative hobbies and social connection can all help release tension, build emotional awareness and allow them to express their feelings in a safe way.

Rather than simply telling your teen it’s time to get off their devices and do something else, suggest or plan things that don’t involve screens, like heading out for a bike ride, cooking dinner together, kicking a footy outside or booking tickets to go see a concert.

Ask your teens what they would like to do and when screen time is most important to them. Encouraging them to be part of the solution can be key to its success.

Parents can also support their sons by teaching simple emotional regulation techniques like taking a break when feeling angry, practising deep breathing or talking about what’s bothering them instead of bottling it up. Encouraging open conversation about emotions (without judgement) helps normalise these feelings and builds trust.

To give you and your family quick and easy access to appropriate mental health support, eligible HCF members^* can access a free annual online HealthyMinds Check-in with specially trained psychologists offering tailored support for teens aged 12 to 17. Another option is to get or use eligible extras cover for online treatment programs through THIS WAY UP^{^}, a digital mental health service developed by experienced psychiatrists and clinical psychologists.

Other ways to protect teenage boys online

Cyber safety expert Susan McLean says there are plenty of ways parents can guide and support their sons in using technology more effectively while building their mental wellbeing and resiliency. With teenage boys increasingly exposed to misogynistic, racist and homophobic messages online – whether through influencers, gaming chats or algorithm-driven content – her key message is to stay engaged, informed and proactive.

1. Be involved

Being an active participant in your child’s online activities is vital, says Susan. Know what sites, games and channels they’re using, how they’re using them, and who they’re engaging with. Educate them about not sharing personal information online, including personally identifiable information like their address, school or location check-ins, which could help others figure out who they are or how to find them. You can also use in-game functions to mute or block content or accounts you don't want them to interact with.

Importantly, keep the lines of communication open.

“Let your children know that no matter what, they can come and tell you about it, particularly when a young man might have been shown something by a mate that he’s a bit confused about,” says Susan.

2. Be a role model

Role-modelling respect can help counter misogynistic attitudes from male influencers and harmful games, says Susan.

“Think about what respectful communication and behaviour looks and sounds like. What do respectful and kind relationships between peers, between romantic partners, between families look like?” she says. “It’s very hard for a young person to understand what they should be doing if it’s not being modelled in front of them.”

3. Set boundaries

Setting screen-time boundaries for the whole family can help to normalise non-digital time and activities. Prof Warburton recommends visiting the US site healthychildren.org to create a family media plan, and restricting screen time to no more than two hours a day (not including time needed for school work). Australia’s Raising Children Network offers guidance around teenage screen time and digital technology use, too.

Limiting screen time gives kids plenty of opportunity to exercise and spend time with friends outdoors – “doing all of the things you need to do to have a balanced, healthy life where you’re developing well”, Prof Warburton says.

4. Maintain balance between online and offline activities

Your children’s offline life has a direct influence on their online life, says Susan.

“We know that one of the best protective factors for young people is a wide variety of friends and interests,” she adds, encouraging kids to socialise not just with school friends, but also with teammates, cousins and other social circles.

5. Start the conversation early

Pay attention to subtle changes in your teenage son’s behaviour and talk to them about what they’re doing online before the problem escalates.

“Often with the type of content that young boys in particular are being exposed to, you’ll see that manifest itself in language and behaviour,” Susan says. “You may see your son using language that’s quite misogynistic. It might be quite violent, and you’ll normally see a clear change in communication – that should be ringing alarm bells.”

6. Get help

If you’re concerned about your teenager’s mental health and notice changes in their behaviour – like significant shifts in their eating or sleeping patterns, how they interact with others, or a lack of motivation or interest in things they used to enjoy – it’s important to seek help.

“Schools and school psychologists or counsellors are a great resource,” adds Michaela. “Or you can speak to your GP who can put you in touch with a psychologist.”

There are also plenty of online resources for kids’ mental health:

• Headspace
• Medicare Mental Health
• Raising Children Network
• Kids Helpline
• Calm Kid Central

If you or your child needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. For immediate support, call 000.

Book a mental health check for your child

Navigating your child’s online world isn’t always easy – and if you’re concerned about the impact on their wellbeing, consider booking a mental health check. Our free annual HealthyMinds Check-in, delivered online by registered psychologists, offers tailored support for teens aged 12 to 17^*.