Eroticized Social Media Imagery & Sexual Standards
The Internet has become an integral part of modern life, and it is estimated that more than half of the world's population uses some form of internet every day. With such widespread usage comes increased access to various forms of media, including pornography and sexually explicit images. Unfortunately, these types of media can be detrimental to one's psychological well-being if consumed too often. This essay will explore how habitual exposure to eroticized social media imagery can lead to the internalization of unrealistic sexual standards, affecting self-perceived sexual competence and relational expectations.
The influence of eroticized social media imagery on individuals cannot be overstated, as it has been shown to impact one's perception of what constitutes "normal" sexual behavior. According to researchers, repeated exposure to such images leads to the creation of sexual scripts or templates for desired behavior between partners in relationships. These templates may include specific actions during sex, such as positions or body movements, that are often depicted in graphic detail on popular social platforms like Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit. While this might initially seem appealing, it can cause problems when real-life interactions do not match up with these fantasies.
In addition to creating unattainable standards, frequent consumption of eroticized social media content can also negatively impact self-esteem by leading to feelings of inadequacy and lack of fulfillment. Individuals who constantly compare themselves to the idealized images they see online may feel insecure about their physical appearance, performance, or overall satisfaction with their partner. As a result, they may engage in behaviors that could potentially damage their relationship, including infidelity, emotional withdrawal, or even verbal abuse.
The widespread availability of pornography on social media is causing younger generations to develop different views about healthy sexuality at an earlier age.
Children as young as ten years old have reported viewing hardcore pornographic material without parental supervision, which can lead to distorted attitudes toward intimacy and objectification of others. This phenomenon can be seen in how some men objectify women and treat them more like objects than human beings with unique needs and desires. It can also lead to increased violence against women, as perpetrators model aggressive behavior after what they see in pornography.
Habitual exposure to eroticized social media imagery can create unrealistic sexual standards for individuals and couples alike. Frequent consumption can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction and frustration in relationships, resulting in negative outcomes such as damaged self-esteem and objectification of partners. To avoid these issues, individuals should limit their use of such platforms and seek alternative sources of entertainment that do not involve sexually explicit content.
Parents need to educate their children early on about the potential dangers of consuming adult content online and monitor their activity closely. By taking these steps, we can help ensure that our personal expectations are grounded in reality instead of fantasy and protect ourselves from the negative effects of overexposure to eroticized social media imagery.
Can habitual exposure to eroticized social media imagery lead to the internalization of unrealistic sexual standards, and how does this affect self-perceived sexual competence and relational expectations?
It is highly plausible that constant exposure to exaggerated depictions of sexually appealing individuals on various forms of social media can result in an individual's internalizing unreasonable criteria for what constitutes attractiveness and desirability. This may have several repercussions on one's sense of sexual worthiness, as well as their anticipation of desired physical traits from romantic partners.