Social Media'S Ultra Messages: The Dark Lure For Minors

The Rise of 'Body Count' and 'High-Value' Standards

In the labyrinth of social media, a disturbing trend is taking hold. Concepts like "body count" and "high-value woman" are being propagated by groups of adult men on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. These ideas aim to reinforce outdated norms of submissive, domestically-bound women while glorifying power and success for men. It’s a throwback to a time where a woman's worth was tied to her number of sexual partners and her adherence to rigid stereotypes.

While intended for adult consumption, these messages are seeping into the feeds of younger users. According to Save the Children, more than half of minors are online by age eleven, with one-third starting even sooner. This early exposure can skew their perceptions of relationships and self-worth.

“If from society and from families we do not give them behavioral references, they are being given them on social networks,” shares Cristina Gil, a social educator and health psychologist.

Influencers: Role Models with a Twist

With the explosion of digital platforms, influencers and content creators have become unofficial role models for impressionable youth. These individuals often project an image of perfection that is unrealistic and heavily curated. As psychologist Cristina Gil explains, constant exposure to such "perfect" physiques can distort self-image, especially in developing adolescents. "If all the content you see is a face with certain characteristics or a certain body, there is no variety," she notes, emphasizing the psychological impact.

But the issue goes beyond mere physical appearances. In many online spaces, young boys are being taught to judge their female peers based on their "body count," a practice that devalues women and promotes harmful relationship dynamics. This content is often masked as motivational, part of a larger tapestry of "high-value" culture and rigid gender roles.

The 'Tradwife' Phenomenon and the Myth of the Perfect Housewife

The 'tradwife' trend is a particularly insidious example of social media's reach. It portrays women in a retrograde light, celebrating a lifestyle centered around homemaking and subservience. However, as Gil points out, these portrayals are far from genuine. "Those women are not there baking bread from 5 in the morning, they have a recording team, cooks, cleaning staff. It's not real," she warns, highlighting the disconnect between appearance and reality.

Amid this cultural landscape, the pressure on young men also mounts. They face derogatory labels like "beta" or "simp" if they do not conform to hyper-masculine ideals of success and dominance. This binary of "tradwife" and "high-value man" is not just a social media phenomenon but a reflection of deeply ingrained societal pressures.

Encouraging Critical Thinking Among Youth

In response to these pervasive messages, voices like Cristina Gil's are advocating for a critical examination of the content consumed by young people. Through educational talks and resources like "Without Filters," efforts are underway to provide a healthier perspective on social media usage. The Spanish government is also taking steps, with President Pedro Sánchez proposing to raise the age of social media access from fourteen to sixteen.

As platforms like Meta and YouTube face penalties for their addictive algorithms, the conversation around digital responsibility is more relevant than ever. "It's about asking ourselves what's happening with youth, why suddenly this content succeeds," Gil urges, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogue and action.