What "Adolescence" Teaches Us About Protecting Teen Boys Online

If watching "Adolescence" on Netflix left you feeling worried about your son, this episode will help you turn your concerns into action. Dr. Lisa Damour breaks down what the show gets exactly right about adolescent boys: why they're emotionally constrained by culture, how that vulnerability gets exploited by toxic online figures like Andrew Tate, and what parents can do right now to connect with their sons. This is our most-watched episode ever on YouTube — and we think you'll understand why. 💡 YOU'LL LEARN: Why boys are often only "allowed" to express anger and pleasure at others’ expense How feelings of inferiority in middle school can make boys uniquely vulnerable to toxic influencers who offer them a shortcut to feeling powerful Why modeling emotional honesty is one of the most protective things a father can do — and why moms alone can't close this gap How toxic and misogynistic content finds boys through algorithms, even when kids aren't looking for it — and the concrete steps parents can take to intervene How to watch "Adolescence" with your teen and use it to start a real conversation built on curiosity and care, not fear and anxiety With Father's Day around the corner, there's no better time to revisit this episode. 🎓 MEET YOUR HOSTS Dr. Lisa Damour is a clinical psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and globally recognized expert on adolescent development who partners with UNICEF to support parents worldwide. Reena Ninan is an Emmy-award winning journalist, former anchor for CBS and ABC News, and mother navigating the teen years in real time. 🤝 TODAY’S SPONSORS OneSkin: Use the code ASKLISA for 15% off your next purchase at ⁠https://www.oneskin.co/ASKLISA⁠ iRestore: Receive discounts on their red light therapy devices at ⁠https://www.irestore.com/⁠ Understood: Check out Everyone Gets a Juice Box wherever you listen to podcasts. Hero: Use promo code ASKLISA for 10% off your order at https://www.hero.com ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Why this Netflix series matters for teen boys & their families 00:32 - A scary but true-to-life teen case 02:58 - Dads, sons, and big teenage feelings 04:34 - How it feels to be a middle school boy 06:33 - Helping teen boys handle emotions 09:11 - When your son doesn’t love sports 11:10 - Breaking generational anger patterns 13:48 - When boys cry: what to say and do 16:33 - Teen boys, the internet, and misogyny 18:14 - Should you watch "Adolescence" with your teen? 20:44 - Staying connected without over-controlling 23:05 - Helping girls by helping boys 📚 RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys: https://www.michaelthompson-phd.com/b... 🎬 WATCH NEXT    • Why Boys Don’t Talk and How Parents Can Br...      • Psychologist Explains Why Boys Say Sexist ...      • My Son and His Friends Use Slurs. Can I St...   📂 Raising Sons Playlist →    • Raising Sons   🔔 SUBSCRIBE for expert parenting advice every Tuesday →    / @asklisapodcast   💌 GET DR. DAMOUR’S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-... 📖 DR. DAMOUR’S BESTSELLING BOOKS Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood – https://bit.ly/UntangledBook Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls – https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents – https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp 🎓 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F 🌐 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → https://drlisadamour.com/ 🎧 LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP 🎙️ Apple Podcasts → https://bit.ly/AskLisaApplePodcasts 🎙️ Spotify → https://bit.ly/AskLisaSpotify ABOUT ASK LISA The essential podcast for parents of tweens and teens. Join clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan every Tuesday as they tackle real parenting challenges—from anxiety and social media to friendships, school stress, and emotional development. Get science-backed strategies, compassionate guidance, and practical solutions you can use today. New episodes every Tuesday 📅 Produced by Good Trouble Productions → https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com 📱 FOLLOW ASK LISA Instagram →   / asklisapodcast   Facebook →   / asklisapodcast   X (Twitter) → https://x.com/asklisapodcast LinkedIn →   / ask-lisa-podcast   #ParentingPodcast #TeenBoys #OnlineSafety #RaisingBoys #Adolescence #AskLisa DISCLAIMER The advice provided on this podcast does not constitute or serve as a substitute for professional psychological treatment, therapy, or other types of professional advice or intervention. If you have concerns about your child’s well-being, consult a physician or mental health professional.