Unlike emos or essays, eboys aren’t hard to spot. You’ll find them at skate parks, electronics and gaming stores, thrift shops, and comic book and anime conventions.

Research is emerging about the potential negative impact of TikTok on mental health and body image, especially for girls and boys. This includes research that shows dances and other content on the platform may contribute to over-sexualization for some.

They’re a form of self-harm.

Eboys are a subculture within TikTok based on a hybridization of styles that were once opposed. The movement is characterized by a style that blends elements of emo, goth, and punk to create a dark and rebellious look. Their aesthetics are also influenced by music and fashion, including love for swoon-worthy South Korean idol groups. As a result, they’re often seen with black hair dye and ripped jeans or skinny chinos, striped full-sleeve undershirts, and silver chains layered over the neck or belts.

They’re a small but growing presence in the digital space where influencers — not just women — are the focus of much scrutiny. Unlike their emo cousins, who have historically faced backlash for their looks, boys are generally not ridiculed in real life for their style. Instead, they enjoy a certain level of celebrity and even clout on the app as they can generate revenue for their content.

This micro scene reflects how social media has become the dominant culture for many youths, especially young men. This is when many boys feel empowered to express their emotions openly, which has shaped how they view themselves.

The rise of eboy on tiktok is a reminder that the platform is not without problems. In addition to dance tutorials and viral comedy sketches, the platform has been home to self-harm content and eating disorder videos. TikTok has been accused of promoting these videos to vulnerable teens, and it’s been reported that the algorithm may influence how often users see content that glorifies self-harm or discusses suicide.

They’re a form of self-diagnosis

In recent months, the viral app TikTok has been praised for starting conversations about mental health and allowing people to learn about conditions like ADHD, autism, and Tourette syndrome. But a troubling trend has emerged: Many young people use these videos to self-diagnose themselves with specific disorders.

For some youths, these videos are the first time they’re exposed to mental-health issues—particularly in schools where such topics aren’t discussed. But for many, the videos don’t provide enough context to help viewers distinguish between real symptoms of a disorder and simply bad habits or side effects of certain medications.

As a result, they often get a little carried away when diagnosing themselves with disorders like ADHD or depression. And because the algorithms of TikTok (and other social media platforms) are designed to keep showing you similar content, these misdiagnoses can become a vicious cycle: After seeing a video about ADHD, for example, a teenager may start to think that every problem they’re having is a sign of the condition.

Eboys, who draw inspiration from rappers Yung Lean and Lil Peep and rock bands like My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way, is part of this culture—a mix of BDSM harnesses and chains, 90s Leonardo DiCaprio curtain hairstyles, and K-pop dangly earrings. But they’re also a symbol of a new kind of teenage rebellion: Rejecting conformity and embracing individuality.

They’re a form of self-expression.

TikTok thrives on creative self-expression, making it a hotbed for subcultures. These passionate communities of followers gather online to celebrate idiosyncratic tastes, from fashion and music to food and social media trends. They also converge on products and organically elevate them to cult status.

This is where boys come in. As the name suggests, boys are members of a new generation using the platform to express their brand of masculinity. They hybrid traditional emo and skater culture with a grungy, rugged, relaxed aesthetic. They’re also heavily influenced by the “sad boy” genre of music that rose to popularity after the death of rapper Lil Peep.

In addition to their unique look, boys are challenging societal stigmas by openly discussing mental health issues on the platform. Their videos address various topics, including depression, anxiety, and body image concerns. They also encourage their followers to seek help and support if they struggle.

Despite their positive impact on mental health discussions, community members have criticized boys for being posers. They’ve been called “talentless fuckboys” and even portrayed as fake “depressed” for clout or attention. The truth is, boys, aren’t necessarily posers; they’re simply trying to be themselves in a way that feels authentic to them.

They’re a form of self-love.

Like the emos and goths that came before them, boys are a subculture of Gen Z boys and girls who take their oversized sweaters, monochrome outfits, and chains to heart. They cite their love for emo bands and alternative rap musicians and ombre their hair to show their devotion to the style. They’re also open about their emotional struggles, a significant shift in Gen Z culture.

But that’s not the only thing that makes boys different from their emo predecessors. The resurgence of this aesthetic, a mix of emo fashion and K-Pop style, has come at a time when the definition of masculinity is changing. Unlike their emo forefathers, who were mocked for wearing feminine clothing and openly discussing their emotions, today’s Gen Z boys are more comfortable with their femininity. They are broadcasting their softer, more androgynous styles online.

It’s hard to spot a real-life eboy in the wild, as they tend to be introverted and avoid large crowds. But if you look closely, you might find them in skate parks, electronic and gaming stores, or comic book and anime conventions. They’re also less likely to be spotted in malls, bars, or music venues. This is perhaps to protect themselves from backlash from the non-digital world, which their emo forefathers often faced.