Welcome to Boys & Men Online

A new research and policy program exploring the effects of sports betting, gaming, pornography, and how to make digital life work for young men

Hello everyone, and welcome. We’re excited to kick off this newsletter as part of our Boys & Men Online 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.

This new program builds on AIBM’s earlier work, including Poet Larsen’s research on the financial harms of online sports betting, Annie Maheux’s commentary on the social benefits of gaming for boys, and Isaac Rose-Berman’s policy analysis of smartphone gambling.

We’re organizing our work around two big themes:

1. Simulations of Mastery & Purpose
   Sports betting, gamified finance, and gambling in video games.

2. 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.

What this newsletter will cover

We want this space to be fun, conversational, and useful. You can expect regular posts on:

• What we’re learning about sports betting, gaming, pornography, AI companions, and gamified finance

• State and federal policy developments

• Substack Live interviews with researchers, practitioners, and policymakers

• Upcoming conferences, webinars, and funding opportunities

• Commissioned original contributions on how technology shapes the lives of boys and young men

Think of it as a nerdy, curious, and hopefully fun guide to understanding how digital technologies shape the lives of young men. We made a brief video to share our hopes and fears as we get started:

Upcoming: Dec 17th Substack Live with Dr. Rupert Gill

To celebrate the launch, we’re hosting a Substack Live with Dr Rupert Gill, a behavioral scientist who led behavioral insights at the UK telecom regulator, Ofcom. Rupert’s new commentary for AIBM examines the rapid rise of AI companions and their social and emotional effects on young men. He’ll share a policy framework for understanding and addressing how AI companions may enhance the emotional and social skills of boys and young men — and when they risk diminishing them.

It should be a fascinating discussion, and I hope you’ll join us — you can RSVP and add a calendar reminder.

Spread the word

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.

You can also subscribe to our companion podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

Thanks for being here at the very beginning — there’s a lot to explore together.