Sexuality is a natural part of human experience that has been explored in various fields such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, neuroscience, medicine, and philosophy. Humans seek to understand how others behave sexually, including their thoughts and feelings about sexual encounters. Adolescence is an important stage where individuals develop social skills, belief systems, and behaviors. With the rise of digital media, people have more access to information than ever before. Digital influencers are increasingly shaping young minds towards sexual desires. This article explains how influencers shape adolescent fantasies and behavioral scripts. It includes examples from popular culture and real life experiences.
Influencers can be anyone who creates content online such as YouTubers, Instagrammers, Tiktokers, bloggers, podcast hosts, and Twitch streamers. They promote themselves through engaging videos or pictures and create a following of viewers or listeners. Influencers often portray themselves in ways that promote positive body image, lifestyle choices, fashion trends, and other aspects of self-improvement.
They also influence how teens think about sex. Their posts may glamorize or romanticize certain types of intimate relationships without providing full contexts for safe practices. Some influencers may not consider the implications of their actions, leading to poor decision-making by impressionable audiences.
YouTube beauty guru Nikkie de Jager was criticized for promoting sexual objectification when she posted a video titled "Sexy Makeup Tutorial" in 2015. Her makeup tips focused on accentuating features such as lips and eyes with bright colors, bold shapes, and high contrast. De Jager argued that the video was intended for adults but admitted her mistake after receiving feedback from viewers who felt pressured into wearing heavy makeup. She removed the video and issued an apology. Another case is TikTok star Charlie D'Amelio who shared details of her first kiss at age 15 with millions of followers. Although some praised her bravery, others called it irresponsible because young people may imitate her behavior without understanding consequences.
In real life situations, adolescents use social media to connect with peers and seek validation from strangers. This can lead to risky behaviors such as sexting, cybersex, or even meeting up with online acquaintances offline. Sexual fantasies are part of human nature, but they should be explored carefully. Influencers offer unrealistic expectations of what sex should look like, causing confusion among teens who feel pressure to act out these ideas.
Bella Thorne discussed how men messaged her with unsolicited photos while claiming fame. This scenario demonstrates how digital media affects sexual relationships between minors and adults.
Influencers play a significant role in shaping adolescent attitudes towards sex. They provide valuable information about safe practices but also contribute to harmful stereotypes about gender roles, body image, and sexual orientation. Teachers, parents, and other authority figures need to educate young people on digital safety so that they understand the dangers of following trends blindly.
In what ways do influencers and digital content creators shape adolescent sexual fantasies and behavioral scripts?
Adolescents are increasingly exposed to sexually explicit online content from social media influencers, who often normalize sexual objectification and suggest that women's bodies should be viewed as commodities for men's pleasure. This can lead to unrealistic expectations about relationships and sexual encounters, and may contribute to an overemphasis on physical appearance and performance during adolescent development.