‘Frame Mogging’ And ‘Jestermaxxing’ Explained For Parents

If you’ve heard your kids talk about looksmaxxing, mewing, jestermaxxing, or more recently, frame mogging, it might be time to gently explore where all this is coming from.

For those who aren’t chronically online and have absolutely no knowledge of these terms, I’ll quickly help fill you in on what they mean – and why you should keep a closer eye on your teen’s behaviour if you hear them discussing these terms.

‘Looksmaxxing’ describes the improvement of physical appearance, commonly through a number of practices which range in intensity – from using skincare to undergoing surgery.

While there’s nothing wrong in wanting to take pride in your appearance – indeed, having a skincare routine and using SPF, staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet and exercising are all great ways to look after yourself – looksmaxxing can take things to the extremes.

It’s a phenomenon that’s been catapulted from the manosphere – a collection of websites and forums that typically promote masculinity, some of which amplify misogynistic views – to the mainstream.

One online streamer known as Clavicular claims to have “looksmaxxed” himself from the age of 14 through a combination of exercise, steroids, surgery and taking a hammer to his face (also referred to as “bonesmashing”).

But experts have concerns over how the quest to looksmaxx impacts teens during a crucial period in development – and a time when self-esteem is typically pretty low.

Dr Candice O’Neil, psychologist at Ontic Psychology, previously told Patient looksmaxxing has the potential to “influence young people’s feelings about themselves and behaviours both implicitly and overtly”.

She explained: “This becomes unhealthy when it moves from general self-improvement and wellbeing practices into a preoccupation with their appearance – particularly when that involves constant comparison with others or extreme adjustments to food and exercise. This can also lead to deep feelings of poor self-worth and self-concept.”

Over time, this might begin to impact a person’s mental health and potentially lead to disordered eating, body dysmorphia, obsessive and compulsive behaviours, or self-harm.

Mewing is one of the practices some are trying in the pursuit of looksmaxxing. It involves pressing the tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth, with a view to reshape the jawline.

Does it work? Dr Baldeep Farmah, aesthetic doctor at Dr Aesthetica, said “no credible research supports the jaw restructuring looksmaxxing communities promise”.

Similar to looksmaxxing, but the focus is on being funny or hilarious, rather than physical self improvement. While there’s nothing wrong with having a laugh and joking around, some parents are noticing their teens are, once again, taking it to the extremes.

One parent shared on Reddit that their 16-year-old son was ‘jestermaxxing’ at home non-stop: “He’ll just interrupt us at dinner with some loud random joke or impression then stare at everyone waiting for a huge reaction … Family time is exhausting because it’s like he’s performing all the time instead of just talking normally.”

They added: “He used to talk about girls like a normal teenager but now he says things like ‘foids [a derogatory term for women] only respect you if you jestermaxx correctly’ which I had to search and it made me feel sick.”

More recently, kids have been talking about frame mogging, but to understand the meaning of that one, we need to first define mogging, which means outperforming or dominating over someone.

He added frame mogging “comes from a really toxic thought process that is good [for parents] to be aware of”.

When Clavicular was approached to take a photo with a fraternity leader, and the photo was posted online, his followers joked he’d been “frame mogged” as the fraternity leader was bigger built.

So, in short: frame mogging means you’re showing someone up by being more muscular. And in these communities, muscle apparently equals ‘alpha male’.

A lot of these terms stem from incel (involuntary celibate) communities online, made up of men who forge a sense of identity around their perceived inability to form sexual or romantic relationships.

They might say this is because of how they look or because they’re “low status”. Either way, much of their anger is directed at women.

According to Educate Against Hate, boys are drawn to this kind of content because it offers a sense of belonging, simple answers to complex societal problems, and an element of control or empowerment.

Nearly 70% of boys aged 11-14 years old have been exposed to misogynistic content online, per Ofcom, and most primary and secondary school teachers are “extremely concerned” about the influence of the manosphere on children and young people.

While there will be plenty of boys who shun these narratives, over time this content can – and does – subtly shift perceptions.

If you notice your son using these terms, your best bet is to stay curious and keep the lines of communication open.

Staying non-judgemental and asking open-ended questions, like “What do you like about that content?” or “How did you come across that idea?”, is key.

Fiona Yassin, a family psychotherapist and founder and clinical director of The Wave Clinic, previously told HuffPost UK: “It’s important for parents to name what’s happening. For example, acknowledging that there are online spaces where relationships are framed transactionally – where worth is tied to wealth, appearance, or sexual history.”

Parents can show awareness, and therefore signal understanding, without endorsement, she said. You could say something like: “I understand this is something people are talking about right now.”

Teaching and encouraging critical thinking is important, as is reinforcing your family values.

Check out more tips on speaking to kids about misogyny here.