Instagram and TikTok have become increasingly popular social media platforms that are being used to share various aspects of people's lives, including their personal style, interests, hobbies, and opinions.
They also play a significant role in influencing how individuals perceive themselves and others regarding sexual attractiveness or acceptability. This is because these platforms often present an idealized version of beauty, fashion, and lifestyle that can be challenging for many users to achieve in real life.
One way Instagram and TikTok influence what individuals consider sexually appealing or normal is through the content creators they promote. These creators often showcase specific body types, clothing styles, makeup looks, and even personality traits that may not represent the diversity of humanity.
Many creators are thin, white, able-bodied, cisgender women who fit into traditional gender roles, which can lead to unrealistic expectations about appearance and behavior.
Some creators may post provocative content that promotes certain sexual acts or fetishes, leading viewers to believe that such activities are more common than they actually are.
Another way Instagram and TikTok influence what individuals find sexually desirable is through algorithms that prioritize engagement. Algorithms are designed to keep users scrolling and interacting with the platform by displaying content tailored to their likes and preferences. As a result, users see more content that aligns with their existing views, reinforcing those beliefs and making it harder to challenge them. This can lead to individuals feeling pressure to conform to a certain image of sexuality that may not reflect their own values or experiences.
Instagram and TikTok also have a significant impact on how individuals express themselves sexually online. The platforms encourage users to share intimate details of their lives, including personal relationships and romantic encounters, which can create a culture of oversharing that can be harmful in real life. Users may feel pressured to reveal too much information, leading to feelings of shame, embarrassment, or fear. Similarly, the use of hashtags like relationshipgoals and love can perpetuate unhealthy relationship dynamics that do not promote authentic connection or communication.
While social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok can be fun and entertaining, they can also have negative consequences for users' mental health and well-being regarding sexual attraction and acceptance. Individuals should approach these platforms with caution and self-awareness, recognizing that the images presented are often idealized and may not reflect reality. It is essential to remember that beauty, sexuality, and relationships come in all shapes, sizes, colors, abilities, genders, and expressions, and that there is no single "normal" way to be attractive or desirable.
How do platforms like Instagram or TikTok unconsciously influence what individuals consider sexually appealing or normal?
Research suggests that social media can impact how individuals perceive sexual attractiveness by exposing them to certain beauty standards and body types, which may lead to self-comparison and body image concerns. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have created an environment where users are constantly bombarded with photoshopped images of idealized bodies, leading to a skewed perception of what is considered "normal.