Boys and Men Adrift: The Dark Side of Technology

A young man named Alex, a composite of several individuals, struggled to find meaning and purpose in his life. Born in Fresno, he was exposed to online pornography at a young age, which simulated intimacy but provided no guidance on real-life relationships or social skills.

By the time he was 17, Alex's prom and baseball season were canceled due to COVID-19, leaving him with even more screen time. He then turned to gaming, which offered a sense of belonging and achievement, but also introduced him to casino-like mechanics that primed him for gambling.

As Alex entered adulthood, he became increasingly involved in cryptocurrency, checking prices between classes and watching friends post screenshots of overnight windfalls. However, this obsession was part of a larger trend: 38% of men aged 18-29 have traded crypto, compared to 15% of women the same age.