TikTok Erotic Performance Contributes to Social Comparison, Performative Desire, and Relational Insecurity Among Adolescents
Many adolescents spend countless hours on TikTok watching videos that are either pornographic, sensual, erotic, or provocative. While these videos may seem harmless at first glance, they can have several negative effects on an individual's mental health. This essay will explore how TikTok erotic performance contributes to social comparison, performative desire, and relational insecurity among adolescents.
Social Comparison:
When adolescents watch these types of videos, they are often left feeling inadequate and unworthy compared to the people they see onscreen. They begin to question their own attractiveness, sexuality, and body image, which can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and even depression.
If an adolescent sees a video where someone has a certain type of body shape or is particularly "sexy," they may feel like they don't measure up and believe that they are not good enough. This can cause them to become obsessed with trying to look more like the person in the video, leading to unhealthy behaviors such as dieting or excessive exercising.
Performative Desire:
Another effect of TikTok erotic performance is performative desire. This occurs when individuals begin to view themselves through the lens of others and start to compare themselves to what they see online. They may begin to think that other people have perfect relationships, perfect bodies, and perfect lives, which leads to an increase in narcissism and a lack of self-awareness. Adolescents who are constantly exposed to this type of content may begin to feel pressured into performing for others instead of being true to themselves. This can also create a cycle of addiction, where they feel compelled to keep watching in order to maintain this false sense of perfection.
Relational Insecurity:
TikTok erotic performances can contribute to relational insecurities among adolescents. When they see videos depicting intimate interactions between couples, they may begin to question their own relationship dynamics. If they do not feel comfortable discussing these issues with their partners, it can cause tension and conflict within the relationship.
Some adolescents may be tempted to mimic what they see online without fully understanding the consequences, leading to hurt feelings or even sexual assault charges.
TikTok erotic performances can have several negative effects on adolescent mental health. It is important for parents and educators to be aware of these dangers and take steps to protect young people from them. Parental controls can help limit access to certain types of content, while education about healthy relationship dynamics and body image can provide valuable tools for navigating the digital world. By taking proactive measures, we can help ensure that our youth remain safe and secure in both the physical and virtual realms.
How does TikTok erotic performance contribute to social comparison, performative desire, and relational insecurity among adolescents?
As more and more young people are turning towards TikTok for entertainment, the app has become a platform that not only entertains but also influences them with its content. A large portion of this content is sexualized videos that can leave an impression on adolescents and create an impact on their behavior and attitude towards relationships and intimacy.