What is an Online Aesthetic?
Online aesthetics are a set of visual guidelines used to create images that are popular on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. They typically include specific colors, fonts, themes, styles, and even movements within the image that work together to convey a certain look or feel. Some online aesthetics have become so trendy that they influence people's clothing choices, interior design preferences, and lifestyle decisions.
A common online aesthetic is pastel-colored minimalism, which uses clean, neutral tones and simple furniture to create a calming space.
How do Trending Online Aesthetics Influence Adolescents' Attraction Norms?
Trending online aesthetics often feature models who exhibit specific body types and facial features, creating a narrow definition of what is considered attractive. This can lead adolescents to compare themselves to these images and feel inadequate if their physical appearance doesn't match up.
Many online aesthetics place emphasis on sexualized posing and flirtatious behavior, sending confusing messages about appropriate romantic relationships. As a result, teens may develop unrealistic expectations for intimacy and struggle with self-esteem issues.
Impact on Sexuality Development
As adolescents spend more time on social media and see these idealized representations of attraction, they may begin to question their own feelings and experiences. They might be drawn to people who don't fit into the popular mold or find it difficult to express their true desires because they believe they need to conform to an established standard. This can cause confusion and anxiety, making it harder for them to form healthy romantic connections later on.
Further Implications
Online aesthetics can also have broader implications beyond just attraction norms. They can promote unhealthy behaviors such as excessive dieting, plastic surgery, and objectification. They can also perpetuate stereotypes about certain groups, leading to discrimination and exclusion. It's important for adults to talk openly with adolescents about the impact of these trends so that they can make informed decisions about how they want to present themselves and engage with others.
Trending online aesthetics can shape adolescent attraction norms in significant ways by promoting narrow definitions of beauty, emphasizing sexualization, and normalizing problematic behaviors.
Parents and educators can help guide young people through this process by discussing the impact of these images and encouraging them to prioritize authenticity and self-acceptance over external pressures.
How do trending online aesthetics influence adolescents' evolving understanding of attraction norms?
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest among adolescents in exploring alternative forms of attractiveness beyond traditional standards that prioritize physical appearance. This is due in part to the proliferation of online platforms such as TikTok, which have created new opportunities for self-expression and community building around personal style and visual culture.