Welcome to Boys & Men Online!
Boys & Men Online is a research program at the American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM).
At their best, digital technologies expand our agency, relationships, and sense of purpose like a “bicycle for the mind.” But increasingly, our phones feel more like slot machines; we reach for them not because we choose to, but because we can’t stop.
Technology should strengthen our sense of agency, connection, and fun — not chip away at it. We need better evidence, smarter policy, and a more honest cultural conversation so digital tools help us move toward our aspirational selves.
We’re organizing our work around two big themes:
Simulations of Mastery & Purpose
Sports betting, gamified finance, and loot boxes in video games.Simulations of Connection & Belonging
Pornography, AI companions, and parasocial relationships
But don’t expect all doom, gloom, and dystopia. We believe technology holds real promise to help boys and men become our best selves if we design, use, and regulate it with intention.
Our digital lives have undergone significant changes over the past decade, yet the research and policy conversation have not kept pace. This program, and this newsletter, aim to help close that gap.
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If you find this work useful, please share it with friends, colleagues, or anyone interested in how digital technologies are shaping the everyday lives of boys and men. And if you haven’t yet, hit subscribe to stay updated on upcoming editions.
Thanks for being here at the very beginning — there’s a lot to explore together.
