Trending videos promoting “looksmaxxing”, a trend where young men and boys are encouraged to improve their appearance to attract women through increasingly extreme means, are amassing millions of views across social media.
Looksmaxxing has its roots in online forums like PUAHate, SlutHate and Lookism, where communities in the 2010s began obsessively analysing male appearance and linking it to success in dating and life. Out of this came the PSL rating system, an attractiveness scale that’s recently gained traction on platforms like TikTok.
It tries to score someone’s looks based on factors such as how well their features “work together”, how masculine or feminine they appear, how sharp or lean their face looks, and a long list of individual features like skin, teeth and nose shape.
While many people who participate in the rankings believe it’s objective, in reality, it’s highly subjective, unkind, and rooted in the same extreme beliefs that suggest appearance determines a person’s worth and future.
Dr Minnie Joseph is a Child and Adolescent psychiatrist at Midland Health. She is revealing the hidden mental dangers of “looksmaxxing” and how to spot if your child is engaging in the trend.
Dr Minnie Joseph said, “Looksmaxxing may seem like a harmless social media trend, but in reality, it can cause long-lasting physical and mental health problems. We’re seeing more and more how social media is becoming unsafe for young men and boys, especially for those who are already vulnerable to peer pressure, as algorithms are pushing harmful content onto their feeds. Parents need to be aware of these social media trends, so they can spot when their child may be falling into these worrying mindsets.
“It’s normal to be worried about your child, and it can often feel impossible to understand what is going on in their mind. Part of understanding them includes being aware of what they’re watching on social media and the external pressures facing young men. Whether it’s pressure to look a certain way to attract a partner, increased loneliness, or societal expectations, try to get to the root cause.
“Communication is key. Talking about these trends and the underlying issues requires an open and nonjudgmental dialogue between you and your child. At first, they may not want to talk or find it embarrassing, but it’s important to try. Let them know that you are always there for them, as developing confidence and having a positive role model can be a huge way for young men and boys to unlearn these beliefs.”
Here are the signs to look out for:
Low self-esteem
The constant comparison, encouraged by “looksmaxxing” content and social media in general, can have incredibly negative impacts on a person’s self-esteem. If your child is paying more attention to specific body parts, such as their jawline or muscles, it’s a good idea to have a conversation with them.
Body dysmorphia
“Looksmaxxing” has also been linked to body dysmorphia. Body dysmorphia is a mental health condition where a person will be overly negative and worry about their appearance and perceived flaws, which may not even be visible to anyone else. Its symptoms include spending more time than usual worrying about their body or face, comparing themselves to others, spending more time in the mirror than normal, avoiding mirrors altogether, and going to great lengths to conceal supposed imperfections.
Sudden lifestyle changes
A new interest in personal hygiene, exercise, or diet can be a good thing, but not if it’s motivated by online pressure. If your child is suddenly participating in a restrictive diet, exercising excessively, or has a newfound interest in supplements, talk to them about why and suggest healthier alternatives.
Concerning comments
As well as promoting extreme misogynistic beliefs, “looksmaxxing” also encourages casual racism. You may hear your child make bigoted throwaway comments. It’s crucial to move away from the mindset that “boys will be boys”; misogynistic or racist comments, no matter how small, should be addressed.
Excessive social media use
Even if your child wouldn’t seek out this content, social media algorithms will likely show “looksmaxxing” or masculinity content to them. If your child is spending a lot of time on their phones, specifically on social media, there’s a higher chance of them falling down these rabbit holes. Encourage screen time limits or ask them to show you what they’re interested in online.
Key terms
Some specific terms are used in “looksmaxxing” communities, and references to them can be signs that someone is engaging with that content. The main ones to look out for are:
PSL – The PSL rating system is a cornerstone of “looksmaxxing”. It is an attractiveness scale that ranges from “subhuman” to “chad” and encourages the view that a man’s appearance is the most important factor in their happiness and success.
Black-pill – “Red pill”, and the more extreme “black-pill”, content suggests that men are an oppressed group, believing it’s impossible for ‘unattractive’ men to be happy or find a partner, and they may blame women for any shortcomings.
Incel – Short for involuntary celibate, incels are members of an online community of people who cannot find a romantic partner and blame women for that fact.
Femoids – A derogatory term used to describe women, usually shortened to “foids”, it’s commonly used by “looksmaxxers” in online content.
