Digital spaces have become central to how young people communicate, build relationships, and explore their identities. However, these environments often lack consistent safeguards and can normalize harmful behaviors, including non-consensual image sharing and other forms of digital abuse. Content can spread quickly, boundaries may not always be clear, and peer dynamics can create pressure to participate in behaviors that feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

As a result, boys and young men are frequently exposed to situations where they may feel pressured to share images of themselves or distribute images of others, receive unsolicited or inappropriate content, or witness the circulation of material without consent. These experiences can be confusing to navigate and may impact how they understand respect, consent, and healthy interactions online.

Advocates, parents, and other trusted adults supporting this population can use these tips to guide conversations, offer practical strategies, and help young people better understand digital boundaries, consent, and ways to enhance their safety online and in person.

The issues young men and boys encounter today are not new. Pressures around relationships, boundaries, and harmful behaviors have existed for a long time. What is new is the space in which these dynamics now take place.

Digital environments have expanded the speed, reach, and visibility of interactions. Behaviors that once were limited to smaller, in-person contexts can now spread quickly and widely online, often amplifying their impact.

• As advocates, parents, and trusted adults, we are in a unique position to connect with young people and support how they navigate digital spaces through open, judgment-free conversations.

• Using the CARE approach (Consent is key, Act responsibly, Recognize abusive behaviors, Engage ethically), we can help young people develop skills to enhance their safety online and recognize warning signs of harmful or abusive content and behaviors.

CONSENT IS KEY - Consent online means always asking before tagging someone, sharing their personal information, location, or images, and respecting their decision if they say no or do not respond. Remember, consent is not valid if someone is pressured, afraid to say no, silent, or previously shared something in the past. Real consent must be clear, voluntary, and ongoing.

ACT RESPONSIBLY - Don’t forward, share, save, or respond if you’re sent an image of someone else without permission - this can make a situation worse or even be illegal. Instead, report it using the platform’s tools, delete it from your device, and seek support from a trusted adult if needed. Receiving the image is not your fault, the responsibility lies with the sender.

RECOGNIZE ABUSIVE BEHAVIORS - This includes threatening or sharing someone’s intimate images, controlling who a partner can talk to online, punishing someone for ending a relationship, silencing them from speaking about abuse, causing public humiliation, or constantly monitoring their location or social media. These behaviors are forms of abuse that can seriously harm a person’s well-being, trust, and safety.

ENGAGE ETHICALLY - Treat others with the same respect online as you would in person and remember that real people are behind every screen, profile, and image. It also means being accountable for what you share, post, or forward, and recognizing when your behavior could cross into dating abuse, harassment, or sexual violence.