What Is Looksmaxxing? How Social Media Pressures Teen Boys to Chase Impossible Standards

You’ve probably heard about unrealistic beauty standards for girls, but teen boys are now being pushed toward their own impossible ideal.

A growing trend called looksmaxxing is quietly shaping how many boys see their bodies. It spreads through TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, and Discord, and it tells them that their value as men depends on how they look. This kind of messaging creates impossible standards for boys—ones that can take a serious toll on their mental and physical wellbeing.

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