It is well established that the consumption of sexualized media content can influence attitudes towards sex and sexual behaviors, yet less is known about how this may shape people's sexual fantasies, expectations, and relationship patterns over time. This paper will discuss recent research exploring how repeated exposure to sexualized content through social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and OnlyFans can impact individual sexual desires, habits, and partnership dynamics in the short term and long term. In a survey conducted among young adults, those who reported higher frequency of viewing pornography online were more likely to report being interested in experimenting with non-monogamy, having had multiple sexual partners, engaging in risky behavior during sex, and expressing interest in trying new sexual acts. These results suggest that regular exposure to sexualized media content may lead individuals to develop a preference for novelty, variety, and risk-taking in their sexual experiences.
It also raises questions about whether these preferences extend beyond the context of one-time encounters and into long-term relationships, and what implications they may have for partner satisfaction and commitment. Research has suggested that frequent exposure to pornography or other erotic material can change the brain's reward system, altering hormone levels and neurochemistry and leading to increased cravings and compulsive behaviors similar to drug addiction. Similarly, consistent use of dating apps like Tinder or Grindr may promote superficial assessments of potential partners based on appearance rather than deeper compatibility, potentially creating unrealistic expectations that could undermine relational stability. It is still unclear whether habitual consumption of erotic media leads to lasting changes in sexual scripts, but some studies suggest that it may contribute to the normalization of casual hookups and the commodification of intimacy.
The findings reviewed here indicate that habitual exposure to sexualized social media content may influence both short-term and long-term sexual attitudes, desires, and habits, and that further research is needed to understand its impact on broader patterns of relationship formation and maintenance.
Can habitual consumption of sexualized social media content reshape sexual fantasies, partner expectations, and relational scripts in both short-term and long-term contexts?
Social media has become an important part of our lives, with many people spending hours each day scrolling through different platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, etc. These platforms often feature a lot of sexualized content, which can have a significant impact on individuals' sexual fantasies, partner expectations, and relational scripts. Research suggests that exposure to sexualized content online may influence attitudes towards sex, body image, and relationships.