Why Teen Boys Are So Into Their “Aura” on TikTok’s Auramaxxing Trend

If you have a teenager on TikTok, you’ve probably noticed that many trends aimed at boys are about self-improvement and identity.

There’s looksmaxxing, which focuses on appearance and grooming. Then came smellmaxxing, where boys compare colognes and try to smell as “expensive” as possible. And now, among all these TikTok trends, there’s auramaxxing, a movement centered on improving your “aura,” or the energy you project into the world.

It sounds mystical at first, but what they mean is something much more practical: trying to feel calm, confident, and intentional in how they show up in daily life.

What Teen Boys Mean by “Aura”

When teen boys talk about “aura,” they’re usually referring to their overall presence: the combination of posture, attitude, mindset, and how they make others feel. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about acting with intention and carrying themselves in a way that feels calm, self-assured, and positive.

Many boys say auramaxxing helps them stay more focused and less anxious, take better care of themselves, and pay attention to how they communicate with friends, teachers, and even strangers. They are trying to build and show confidence from the inside out: listening more, reacting less, and approaching situations with a clearer sense of who they want to be. 

For some, it also means working toward goals with a bit more discipline and creating a version of themselves that feels “in control.”

Some creators take it further and talk about “energy optimisation,” a slightly more spiritual version that encourages boys to manage their internal state through rest, mindfulness, exercise, posture, and intentional routines, so they project a more grounded and magnetic presence to the world.

Related: What Is Looksmaxxing? How Social Media Pressures Teen Boys to Chase Impossible Standards

How TikTok Turned “Aura” Into a Kind of Social Science

The platform turned confidence tips into quick transformations and memorable phrases like “Your energy walks into the room before you do.” Videos often show side-by-side clips where someone shifts from low-energy to vibrant and confident, and comments beneath them are full of teens saying they tried it and noticed immediate changes.

To a teenager navigating friendships, crushes, sports, and social pressure, this kind of instant, visible transformation feels incredibly appealing, almost like unlocking a life hack.

Why Teen Boys Find This So Appealing

Teen boys are under pressure too, often in ways they don’t talk about. They’re told to be funny, confident, laid-back, attractive, sporty, and successful… all at once. Auramaxxing gives them a different angle:

You don’t need luxury brands. You don’t need a specific body type. You can work on your mindset and your habits instead.

It allows boys to think about their emotions, how they present themselves and what kind of person they want to become. 

For many boys, this is the first time they’ve been encouraged to think about these things at all.

Related: Teen Lingo Parents Should Know: Slang Terms Behind Body Shaming and Online Ratings

But There Are Downsides, Too

Like most online trends, auramaxxing can become extreme. Some boys treat it like a points-based game: you “gain aura points” by doing something impressive and “lose points” if you embarrass yourself or get rejected.

This gamified attitude can make normal teen experiences — mistakes, awkwardness, breakups — feel like failures instead of part of growing up.

Some boys end up believing they should feel confident all the time, which simply isn’t realistic. Social media also has a way of turning slow, personal growth into something that looks instant, as if a few posture tricks or “mindset hacks” can change your entire life overnight. 

On top of that, auramaxxing often promotes just one narrow idea of what being a boy or young man should look like: calm, collected, attractive, always in control. For teens who are still figuring out who they are, this can create pressure to seem perfect or polished even when they’re struggling.

So while the core idea of becoming your best self is healthy, the TikTok version can easily slip into all-or-nothing thinking if teens don’t keep it in perspective.

Related: What Parents Need to Know About the Viral Sunburn Tattoo Trend on TikTok/

How to Talk to Your Son About Auramaxxing

The trend itself isn’t harmful. What matters is how your child interprets it, so try to find  what the trend means to him and what he finds inspiring or stressful about it.

It also helps to talk about how confidence actually develops: slowly, through experience, relationships, mistakes, and growth, rather than through quick video tips. 

Remind him that real-life role models matter just as much as the people he sees online. Encourage him to pay attention to the men in his everyday life — teachers, relatives, coaches, neighbours — who show kindness, patience, humour, or resilience in their own ways. And if the trend inspires him, try guiding that motivation into practical habits, whether it’s getting more sleep, moving his body, spending time outdoors, or talking openly when something is bothering him. 

If you want to stay connected to what’s happening on platforms like TikTok while still protecting your teen, it helps to have the right tools at home. A family protection plan can give each family member their own space, privacy settings, and age-appropriate controls. 

Parents can stay informed about online risks without reading every message or hovering over their child’s shoulder, and teenagers can explore social media with a layer of safety and healthy boundaries.

It’s an easy way to keep up with new trends, support your child’s digital life, and make sure everyone in the family feels both protected and respected.

Learn more about Bitdefender Family Plans here.