Romantic Content Exposure on Tiktok and Adolescent Sexual Behaviour
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37287/ijghr.v9i1.2894Keywords:
adolescent, romantic content, sexual behaviour, social media, tiktokAbstract
TikTok is widely used by adolescents and provides frequent exposure to romantic content that may be associated with their attitudes and behaviours in relationships. This study examined the association between exposure to romantic content on TikTok and adolescent sexual behaviour at SMK Tamansiswa Purwokerto. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 72 students in grades X and XI using total sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires on exposure to romantic content and sexual behaviour. The reliability of the instruments was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, yielding coefficients of 0.721 and 0.716, respectively, indicating acceptable internal consistency. Data were analysed using Spearman’s rank correlation. Most respondents were aged 15–17 years (84.7%) and female (59.7%). A total of 62 respondents (86.1%) were classified as frequently exposed to romantic content, while 55 (76.4%) were classified in the study’s risk-behaviour category. Spearman’s rank correlation indicated a statistically significant positive association between exposure and sexual behaviour (r = 0.333; p = 0.004; n = 72). Greater exposure to romantic content on TikTok was associated with higher sexual-behaviour scores in this sample. Because the study used a cross-sectional design in one school, the findings do not establish causation and should be generalised to other populations with caution.
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