Girlhood in the Age of Viral Aesthetics
Master of Education graduate Ms Talia Ramlukun has written a dissertation that uncovers the layered and often contradictory terrain young girls traverse as they engage with “sexy” aesthetics online.
Her study, “Teenage Girls Negotiating ‘Sexy’ on Social Media Platforms: Visual Images, Selfies and #Challenges”, explores this age of viral trends and digital filters. She found that teenage girls are increasingly navigating more than just social media – they are negotiating identity, power and perception in a public arena. Through selfies, hashtags and curated images, their online presence becomes a complex performance of femininity, shaped by both autonomy and algorithm – offering a distorted reflection of self.
As an educator in KwaZulu-Natal, Ramlukun didn’t need to look far for inspiration. ‘I witnessed first-hand how teenage girls use social media to express their identities, often in hypersexualised ways. Therefore, what started as classroom observation grew into a critical investigation of how girls assert and sometimes contest their visibility, self-worth and agency in digital spaces.’
Her findings present a compelling portrait of modern girlhood. ‘“Sexy”,’ Ramlukun discovered, ‘is not just a look – it’s a performance. Teenage girls perceive “sexy” as a visual and performative construct influenced by curated images of celebrity culture, peer approval and platform aesthetics. Think tight clothing, stylised makeup, and poses that echo what’s trending – not just to fit in, but to stand out.’
The study found that platforms like Instagram and TikTok function as both playground and battleground. Selfies and #challenges – such as the Umlando or Silhouette trends – invite girls to explore hyperfeminine performances shaped by viral aesthetics. Ramlukun found that these images are not merely content, but also currency, as peer validation and algorithms co-produce a feedback loop that rewards more “sexy” or sensational content with visibility.
Not surprisingly, she found tension behind the screens, revealing how teenage girls grapple with the pressure to appear desirable while managing societal expectations of modesty.
‘They’re caught in a moral double bind, criticised for being too modest or too revealing. The emotional toll this double standard takes is profound and often chips away at their confidence and sense of self-determination. Many girls respond by altering their posts, deleting images, or changing online personas to avoid ridicule and judgment,’ she added.
Digital tools also add another layer of complexity. Filters and editing apps act as ‘posthuman agents,’ reinforcing homogenised beauty standards – lighter skin, slimmer noses, fuller lips – shaping not just photos but perceptions of worth.
Despite these pressures, Ramlukun’s participants were far from passive. ‘Girls use social media to claim their power by controlling their narratives and challenging double standards,’ she said. ‘However, this empowerment is often accompanied by risk. From unsolicited messages and slut-shaming to image-based abuse, the emotional cost of digital participation can be high.’
What’s notably missing from these conversations, Ramlukun argues, is adult support. She observed that parents and educators often respond with disapproval or disciplinary measures without fully understanding the digital context. This generational gap leaves many girls feeling isolated and misunderstood.
To bridge the divide between expression and safety, Ramlukun recommends introducing digital sexual ethics into school curricula, thereby equipping parents and educators with social media literacy. She also advocates for collaborating with tech developers to create safer, more inclusive online spaces. Teenage girls, she emphasises, are not merely passive recipients of digital norms – they actively shape and resist them. Recognising their agency while providing critical digital education is essential.
Reflecting on her research journey, Ramlukun expressed heartfelt thanks to her supervisors, Professor Deevia Bhana and Dr Raksha Janak, as well as to her family and the participants who made the study possible.
In a world where a single post can shape a reputation, Ramlukun’s work urges compassion and awareness of the complex digital negotiations faced by a generation coming of age online, challenging us to look beyond the filter and consider what it truly means to be seen.
Words: Rakshika Sibran
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
