The Sexualization of Boys and Girls in Videos: Proposal for a Self-Sexualization Scale on TikTok

Abstract

This research focuses on the sexualized portrayals of minors on social media. A grading scale based on 29 items is proposed to measure the self-sexualization of boy and girl influencers on this social media. This instrument provides a set of comprehensible quantitative indicators that will allow researchers to assess how these teenager influencers approach their sexualization and how they display it on their digital profiles. We will assess the correlations between the self-sexualization of boys and girls in TikTok videos. A total of 746 videos of 43 adolescent influencers from 12 to 17 years of age were coded to analyze their self-sexualization. High levels of sexualization were recorded for both genders on this social media. Boys begin to self-sexualize at the age of 13, only one year later than girls. From the age of 15, boys start to present themselves in underwear and swimsuits, displaying their muscles and incorporating songs with lyrics that are denigrating to girls.