In the current era of smartphones and social media, adolescence is often marked by exposure to various types of sexual scripts that can influence their behaviour towards intimate relationships. Social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, and others have become the primary source of entertainment for many young people who spend hours scrolling through posts and watching videos without even realizing how it affects them mentally and socially. Sexual scripts are explicit codes or stories that explain how sexual encounters should happen between individuals based on gender roles, power dynamics, and expectations about what happens afterward. In this context, teenagers may internalize these scripts, which can lead to long-term consequences that impact their future lives. This essay will discuss the long-term effects of adolescent's internalization of sexual scripts from fantasy culture on social media.
One of the main problems arising from internalizing sexual scripts from social media is that adolescents start believing that sex should be casual, easy, and effortless. They begin to think that hookups, one-night stands, and multiple partnerships are normal and expected in dating relationships.
They might assume that if a boyfriend does not satisfy all their sexual needs, they have the right to seek gratification elsewhere. As a result, they may engage in risky sexual behaviours, including unprotected sex, which could expose them to STDs/STIs.
Some may develop an addiction to pornography, leading to excessive masturbation, infidelity, and other negative behaviours that destroy their relationships.
Adolescents internalizing sexual scripts can lead to the objectification of women as sex objects, whereby men only see them as sources of pleasure rather than individuals with thoughts, emotions, and feelings. Women become victims of abuse and violence when men believe they have the right to use them for their satisfaction without any regard for their safety or wellbeing.
Such attitudes create a culture of rape, domestic violence, and gender inequality, where women are discriminated against based on their sexual behaviour.
Teenagers who internalize sexual scripts can suffer from low self-esteem and depression because they compare themselves to unrealistic standards portrayed on social media. They may feel pressured to look a certain way, act in specific ways, or perform sexual acts that violate their values and beliefs. Consequently, they may engage in self-harm or suicide attempts due to the pressure and shame associated with these fantasy cultures. Adolescence is a critical stage of development where children learn about sexuality, intimacy, love, and relationships. The influence of sexual scripts from social media can negatively impact this process by creating false expectations and misconceptions about sex.
Young people may believe that there is no need to learn communication skills or build trust in romantic relationships since hookups provide instant gratification.
It is essential to understand the long-term effects of adolescent's internalization of sexual scripts from fantasy culture on social media. It leads to negative behaviours that undermine personal growth, healthy relationships, and society as a whole. Therefore, parents, teachers, and guardians should help teens navigate through this phenomenon by providing guidance, education, and support to ensure they make informed decisions regarding their sexuality.
What are the long-term consequences of adolescents internalizing sexual scripts from social media fantasy culture?
Adolescents who consume pornography on social media may experience several negative effects over time, including sexual dissatisfaction, poor mental health, and distorted perceptions of intimacy and relationships. These outcomes can affect their ability to form meaningful connections with others and create a false understanding of what is normal or desirable behavior during sex.