How Two Young Men Got Pulled Into Internet Darkness, and How They Got Out

Article here. Excerpt:

'While the two young men fell into very different internet rabbit holes—one with alt-right leanings and the other on the far left—they were both drawn by a desire to find belonging and a yearning, they say, for the hero’s journey. For both, the result was depression and loneliness.

They each sought out ideas and experiences that elude many young men in an age some see as one of helicopter parenting and so-called toxic masculinity. For decades, schools have cut shop class, as well as recess and other programs that mental-health experts say give boys an outlet for their energy. The American Psychological Association reported that boys often receive more severe punishment than girls in school for the same behaviors. And there are fewer male teachers now than in the 1980s, according to the American Institute for Boys and Men.
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Whether it’s conspiracy theories, misogyny or political extremism, the rabbit holes—or pipelines—that lure teenage boys and young men are vast. Studies show males are disproportionately vulnerable to online extremism in one form or another. And psychologists say these pathways, for both right-wing and left-wing ideology, can end in violence.

The shooting death of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was allegedly committed by a 22-year-old man, who authorities say had spent considerable time online growing political and left-leaning over the past year.'