Rape Beyond Fantasy: Exploring the Influence of BookTok's Erotica and Dark Romance Literature on Young Adult Perceptions of Consent and Boundaries

Advances in technology and media, particularly TikTok, have had a significant impact on the younger generation. BookTok, a community that emerged from TikTok, is a platform where users can promote, share, and discuss book recommendations, using “spice level” or chili emojis to indicate the rating of explicit content. While recommendations often focus on erotica and dark romance fiction, concerns arise when such content glamorizes and normalizes rape culture, especially for young adults (YA). The normalization of toxic relationships can potentially influence YA perceptions of consent and boundaries. This study explores how YA perceive rape culture and consent in erotica and dark romance literature and how this content affects their expectations of boundaries in YA relationships. Specifically, this study addresses this topic by asking the following research questions: (1) What role does erotica and dark romance fiction play in shaping YA attitudes and expectations about relationships, sexuality, and intimacy? (2) How do YA perceive relationship boundaries in erotica and dark romance books recommended by BookTok? (3) How do YA think about the portrayal of consent and relationships in erotica and dark romance books recommended by BookTok? This study employed Ronald L. Akers’ social learning theory and Simon and Gagnon’s sexual script theory as a framework to conduct a thematic content analysis of 100 public BookTok posts and 1,570 comments, using four prominent hashtags in the BookTok community to identify key themes and patterns in YA meaning making of sexual socialization. Findings reveal that (a) BookTok fosters an environment where YA internalize the depicted behaviors; (b) YA are becoming desensitized to explicit material and more accepting of problematic behavior; and (c) many YA have noticed a shift in their views on consent and boundaries after engaging with the BookTok community. These results have important implications for educators, policymakers, and parents, highlighting the need for media literacy programs that help YA critically engage with content, distinguish fiction from reality, and develop healthy relationship expectations. Addressing these issues can foster collaborative dialogue that challenges harmful norms and promotes a safer, more informed environment for YA.