Ignore the noise. Trust your own voice.
The N.O.I.S.E. check
You're seeing loads of content every day. Some of it helps you grow. Some of it's designed to make you angry, make you feel bad about yourself or just keep you hooked – so someone else can get clicks, attention or money.
If something online gives you a weird feeling or messes with your head, run the N.O.I.S.E. check.
Does this content wind me up?
Some creators keep you watching by making you feel:
- angry
- ashamed
- jealous
- not good enough.
Ask yourself:
- Do I feel worse after watching this?
Does this content pit men against women?
Some creators grow their audience and keep people coming back to listen to them by convincing them that women are to blame for all men's problems.
Ask yourself:
- Is this trying to make me see women as my opposition?
Does this make me feel like I'm not man enough?
Some creators profit from making boys and young men feel insecure about:
- money
- muscles
- dating
- status
- emotions.
Ask yourself:
- Is this making me feel like I'm not enough unless I change who I am?
Does this content claim there's one right way to be a man?
Real life is complicated. Relationships are complicated. Being a man is complicated.
Be careful of content that says:
- there's only one way to be a man
- one group is ruining everything
- one person has all the answers
Ask yourself:
- Is this giving simple answers to complicated problems?
Does this content make money for someone else?
A lot of creators earn money from:
- clicks
- outrage
- engagement
- subscriptions
- courses
- donations.
The longer you stay angry or insecure, the more attention they get.
Ask yourself:
- Is someone profiting from keeping me hooked?
The bottom line
Some people online make money by making young men and boys:
- angry
- insecure
- isolated
- suspicious of others.
You don't have to fall for it.
Spot the pattern. Ignore the noise.