Digital influencers are people who create content about various topics and share it on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Snapchat, etc., which can reach millions of followers worldwide. Many digital influencers specialize in beauty, fashion, food, gaming, travel, sports, art, education, comedy, music, politics, and so on; however, others focus on more sensitive topics like sex and sexuality. Digital influencers' impact on adolescents has been widely studied in recent years, with research showing that they play a significant role in shaping their sexual curiosity, norms, and personal values through online content. This article will explore how digital influencers shape adolescent sexual curiosity, norms, and personal values through online content.
Adolescence is a critical stage of development characterized by physical changes, cognitive growth, and emotional maturation. During this time, young people explore their identity, interests, values, beliefs, and relationships. They also develop attitudes towards sexuality and start to form opinions about what is acceptable or desirable regarding intimate relationships. Adolescents rely on peers, family members, teachers, and media for information about these matters, but digital influencers have become increasingly popular sources of information due to their relatable content and engaging presentation style.
Digital influencers create videos, photos, and posts about sexual experiences, practices, products, and lifestyles. Some influencers discuss healthy relationships, consent, boundaries, contraception, and other essential aspects of safe sex. Others provide tips and tricks for sexual pleasure and experimentation, while some promote extreme behaviors such as BDSM, pornography, and fetishes. The content varies greatly, ranging from educational to highly erotic. Influencers often use humor, music, visual effects, and editing techniques to make their content appealing and entertaining, leading to addiction-like behavior among adolescents.
Adolescents' exposure to digital influencers can impact their sexual curiosity, norms, and personal values positively or negatively, depending on the type of content they consume. Positively, influencers can raise awareness about safe sex practices, reduce stigma around taboo topics, promote body positivity, encourage self-exploration, normalize diverse sexual preferences, and empower youth to seek help when needed. Negatively, influencers can normalize unhealthy behaviors like promiscuity, objectification, exploitation, violence, and abuse; reinforce harmful gender stereotypes; promote unsafe behaviors that lead to STIs/STDs/pregnancy/injury; perpetuate misinformation; and encourage unrealistic expectations about bodies, relationships, and intimacy. Adolescents who follow these influencers may develop risky attitudes towards sex, sexual harassment, and intimate partner violence without realizing it.
Parents, teachers, counselors, and healthcare providers should discuss the dangers of excessive social media use with adolescents, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, skepticism, moderation, and fact-checking online information. Parents should monitor what content their children watch, set screen time limits, and have open conversations about sexuality and relationships. Schools should provide comprehensive sex education that covers all aspects of human sexuality, including consent, contraception, LGBTQIA+ issues, healthy relationships, and cyber safety. Social media platforms should prioritize user safety by implementing age restrictions, content filters, reporting tools, parental controls, and responsible algorithms. Digital influencers must create transparent and ethical content that aligns with their personal beliefs and values while respecting boundaries and professional guidelines.
How do digital influencers shape adolescent sexual curiosity, norms, and personal values through online content?
Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have become increasingly popular among teenagers and young adults as they allow them to connect with people from all over the world and access various types of information, including sex education. Digital influencers are individuals who create and share their opinions, experiences, and insights on these platforms, often gaining large followings due to their ability to engage and interact with audiences.