TikTok is an online platform that allows users to share short videos with each other. It has become increasingly popular among teenagers and young adults, especially due to its diverse range of content that includes music, humor, dance, and more recently, sexual content. Many creators on TikTok have started creating erotic trends that challenge traditional gender roles, relationship norms, and ideas about sexual desirability. These trends often feature nonbinary individuals, LGBTQ+ identities, and diverse representations of body types, which can be liberating for viewers who may not see themselves reflected in mainstream media.
Some argue that these trends can also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and create unrealistic expectations about what constitutes "sexy" or "attractive." In this essay, I will explore how TikTok's erotic trends influence adolescents' perceptions of gender roles, relational norms, and sexual desirability.
TikTok's erotic trends typically involve creators posting short clips that showcase their bodies or relationships in provocative ways. Some examples include videos where couples kiss passionately while another person films them, or a man dancing seductively to upbeat music. While these videos may seem harmless, they often reinforce gendered norms by portraying women as submissive and men as dominant partners. This could lead to a distorted sense of masculinity and femininity among younger viewers, particularly those who are still forming their own identity. It could also reinforce the idea that men should always be the ones initiating intimacy and taking charge in relationships. On the other hand, some TikTok users have challenged traditional gender roles by sharing content that features same-sex relationships, transgender individuals, and nonbinary identities. These videos can help teens and young adults understand that there is no one way to express attraction or desire, and that all bodies and identities are valid. They can also promote body positivity by showing viewers that any type of body can be sexy or attractive.
It is important for viewers to recognize that not all TikTok creators share the same values when it comes to sex and relationships, and that what they see on their feeds may not reflect reality.
TikTok's erotic trends can influence adolescents' perceptions of gender roles, relational norms, and sexual desirability in both positive and negative ways. While they can offer a refreshing departure from mainstream media representations of sex and relationships, they can also perpetuate harmful stereotypes. As a result, it is important for viewers to critically evaluate the content they consume online and consider how it fits into their own views and values. Parents, educators, and social media platforms should work together to ensure that teenagers have access to accurate information about sex, sexuality, and relationships so that they can make informed decisions as they navigate this aspect of their lives.
How do TikTok erotic trends influence adolescents' perceptions of gender roles, relational norms, and sexual desirability?
Adolescence is a period of life marked by immense changes in an individual's physical appearance, cognitive development, and social relationships. During this stage, young people are particularly susceptible to external influences that can shape their views on various issues, including gender roles, relational norms, and sexual desirability. One such influence is the growing popularity of erotic content on platforms like TikTok, which has been shown to impact adolescent behavior in numerous ways.