Algorithmic Intimacy and Toxic Relationship Narratives: How TikTok Shapes Youth Perceptions of Men and Romantic Roles

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Septien Dwi Savandha
Universidad Tecnológica Latinoamericana en Línea (UTEL), Mexico
Elvira Fitriyanti
Politeknik Siber Cerdika Internasional, Indonesia
Nabilaa Faizatuz Zuhriyah
Universitas Islam Bunga Bangsa Cirebon, Indonesia
Adelia Azzahra
Universitas Swadaya Gunung Jati, Indonesia

TikTok has become an influential space shaping young people's ideas about romantic relationships, gender roles, and partner expectations. In Indonesia, toxic relationship narratives using terms such as "cowo mokondo" (men perceived as economically dependent) and "cowo bingung" (men perceived as emotionally uncertain) have circulated through TikTok's recommendation system. This study explores how algorithmically circulated toxic relationship narratives shape youth perceptions of men and romantic roles. Using a qualitative descriptive method, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 TikTok users aged 18-25 and observation of 50 TikTok videos on toxic relationship content, analyzed thematically. Findings reveal four themes: repeated exposure to toxic relationship content, perceived algorithmic intimacy, emotional identification with narratives, and reconstructed gendered romantic expectations. Repeated exposure may increase suspicion toward men, reinforce expectations of male financial and emotional responsibility, and simplify relationship problems into viral gender labels, although such content can also help users recognize unhealthy patterns and set boundaries. TikTok thus functions not merely as entertainment but as a psychological and cultural space for constructing meanings about masculinity and romantic commitment. These findings contribute to digital psychology by highlighting algorithmic intimacy's role in shaping gendered youth perceptions in Indonesia, though the small, purposive sample limits statistical generalizability.


Keywords: algorithmic intimacy, TikTok, toxic relationship, youth perception, masculinity, romantic roles