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Comunicar Journal 79: Metaversal and Transhumanist Ecologies: Perspectives for Digital Reculturization (Vol. 32 - 2024)
The Impact of TikTok on the Body Image and Self-Esteem of Portuguese Adolescent Boys
Mariana Órfão
Patrícia Días
Previous studies have shown that social media influences adolescents' perceptions of their body image and self-esteem. This study examines TikTok's impact on these aspects, specifically focusing on adolescent boys, a demographic that has been underrepresented in research. Given the scarcity of prior studies on this topic, we employed a qualitative, exploratory methodology. The study sample was purposive, comprising 15 pre-adolescents (ages 10-14) and 15 adolescents (ages 15-19). We conducted semi-structured interviews, which were subsequently transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis with MaxQDA software. Our findings indicate that TikTok can have both positive and negative effects on male adolescents' self-perception of body image and self-esteem. Certain practices on TikTok were associated with increased body vigilance and changes in sports practices and eating habits. While excessive use of the platform negatively impacted self-esteem, the type of content consumed also played a significant role, leading to positive outcomes in some cases. These results contrast with previous studies focused on female adolescents, highlighting the importance of exploring the male perspective.
Keywords
TikTok, Body image, Self-esteem, Boys, Teenagers, Adolescents