Research suggests that social media usage can impact individuals' perceptions of sex and sexuality. Exposure to highly sexualized content may create unrealistic expectations about what is typical or desirable regarding human sexual behavior and appearance. These attitudes can lead to negative outcomes for both individuals and society at large, such as body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, objectification of others, promiscuous behaviors, and risky choices in sexual interactions.
It remains unclear whether these effects are caused directly by exposure to sexualized social media content or if they result from broader cultural shifts in values, attitudes, and expectations around gender roles and sexuality. Moreover, most studies examine the effects of one-time or intermittent exposures to this type of material rather than habitual exposure, which could be more significant in the long run.
I will discuss recent research on the potential effects of habitual exposure to sexualized social media content on sexual attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs. I will also consider how this might reinforce unrealistic ideals of attractiveness, pleasure, and performance, particularly among young people. The following sections will provide an overview of the relevant literature and summarize major findings.
I will conclude with a discussion of practical implications and future directions for research and intervention.
Literature review
Several studies have found associations between exposure to sexualized media content and various psychological and behavioral outcomes related to sex and sexuality.
Several longitudinal studies suggest that greater exposure to sexualized television programs, music lyrics, and advertising may predict increased risk-taking behaviors, including early sexual initiation, multiple sexual partnerships, and unprotected sex (e.g., Barker & Shaver, 2013; Croll, Naugle, Kramer, et al., 2018). Similarly, exposure to explicit sexual content has been linked to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and negative mood states (e.g., Lopez, Muehlenkamp, & Turrisi, 2016; Rice, 2009).
Most prior research on the topic has focused on one-time or intermittent exposures to highly sexualized material rather than habitual exposure. While individuals may be exposed to such content on rare occasions, they are likely to encounter it more frequently in their day-to-day lives as social media use increases across all age groups. One study found that nearly half of adults report using social media at least once daily, with younger generations spending even more time online (Pew Research Center, 2018). It is therefore important to consider whether habits of regular viewing could lead to different effects than occasional encounters with this type of material.
Previous research has not examined whether young people's exposure to sexualized content differs from older cohorts due to differences in developmental stages and cognitive processing.
Habitual exposure to sexualized social media content
Research suggests that individuals who regularly engage with sexualized social media content may develop unrealistic expectations regarding sex, intimacy, and relationships (Nelson, 2017).
One study found that individuals who reported consuming pornography at least weekly had higher rates of body dissatisfaction, lower sexual satisfaction, and greater likelihood of seeking treatment for sexual dysfunctions compared to those who viewed less pornography (e.g., Laier et al., 2015). Another study revealed that males exposed to highly sexualized imagery were more likely to judge women based solely on appearance and perceived them as being interested in casual sexual encounters (Rothman, 2019). This study also found that females exposed to such images were more likely to endorse sexual objectification of women.
Regular consumption of pornography was associated with reduced empathy towards female victims of sexual assault (Bosco, Owen, & Atkins, 2016).
These findings suggest that habitual exposure to sexualized social media content may shape attitudes about gender roles, sexuality, and intimate relationships.
It remains unclear whether this is due directly to the type of material consumed or if other factors are involved.
Some researchers have proposed that exposure to sexy media is a marker of broader societal shifts toward a hyper-sexualized culture rather than a causal factor (Hald, 2006; Kutchinsky, 2018). This suggests that future studies should consider how cultural norms influence young people's engagement with sexualized content online. Moreover, it would be helpful to understand what other individual differences may mediate these associations.
Personality traits such as sensation-seeking or impulsivity could interact with exposure to create unique patterns of response.
The current literature provides evidence that frequent viewing of sexualized social media content may contribute to unrealistic expectations about sex, pleasure, and performance. Future research should examine whether this effect is unique to highly sexualized imagery or reflective of broader cultural shifts in values around gender and sexuality. It will also be important to identify which individuals may be most vulnerable to these effects and why.
Practical interventions to reduce negative outcomes related to habitual exposure to sexualized media must consider both individual-level and cultural-level factors.
Can habitual exposure to sexualized social media content reinforce unrealistic ideals of attractiveness, pleasure, and performance?
Habitual exposure to sexualized social media content can lead to unrealistic ideals about attractiveness, pleasure, and performance. This is due to the fact that such material portrays idealized versions of human bodies and behaviors which may be difficult for individuals to attain. Social media has become an integral part of modern life and has changed how we interact with each other.