To what extent does exposure to TikTok relationship timing rules influence young people’s emotional readiness, perception of self-worth, and ideal relationship timelines?

Abstract:

Today, social media platforms serve both as entertainment and informal education. TikTok, in particular, has emerged as a powerful force in shaping young people’s perceptions of romantic relationships. This research explores how TikTok’s widely circulated ‘relationship rules,’ including the ‘3-Month Rule,’ ‘February Theory,’ ‘Honeymoon Phase,’ and ‘Situationship’ norms, influence young people’s emotional readiness, perception of self-worth, and ideal relationship timelines. Using a mixed-method approach involving a timeline drawing exercise, experimental exposure to curated TikTok content, and follow-up surveys, this research aims to investigate the extent to which these rules are internalised. For this research, young people are defined as those aged 13 to 24, following the United Nations’ definition of youth (United Nations, n.d.).

 

Introduction:

TikTok extends far beyond entertainment and trends. It is a space where young people frequently absorb lessons about intimacy and emotional dynamics (Wu, 2024). Content creators often share unspoken ‘rules’ about when relationships should begin, escalate, or end, such as the ‘3-Month Rule’ or ‘breakup szn (season)’ (Burley, 2024; Mooney, 2023). TikTok’s personalised algorithms reinforce these concepts by repeatedly exposing users to similar content in closed echo chambers. This cements homogenous ideas about, in this context, the timeframe of romantic relationships (Cinelli et al., 2021). Yet, while researchers have studied how social media affects mental health and relationships broadly (Faverio, Anderson, & Park, 2025; Langlais, Boudreau & Asad, 2024), no study has empirically examined how TikTok’s algorithm-driven relationship rules influence young people’s internalised timelines and emotional responses, making this investigation both timely and necessary. This study asks: to what extent does exposure to TikTok relationship timing rules influence young people’s emotional readiness, perception of self-worth, and ideal relationship timelines?

 

Literature Review:

Social media plays a central role in shaping the thoughts, behaviours, and expectations of young people. A 2024 Pew Research survey found that 63% of teens aged 13–17 use TikTok, with nearly half describing their usage as “almost constant” (Faverio & Sidoti, 2024). With such heavy usage, platforms like TikTok serve as learning spaces where teens pick up social norms, particularly those related to dating and romantic relationships. TikTok’s algorithm, which personalises users’ feeds based on their interaction history, encourages repetitive exposure to the same types of content, reinforcing echo chambers (Cinelli et al., 2021). In the context of relationships, these echo chambers often promote one-dimensional ‘rules’ such as the ‘3-month rule’ or ‘February Theory’ (Mooney, 2023), impacting young people emotionally, whose cognitive frameworks are still developing. Langlais, Boudreau & Asad 2024 highlight the significance of TikTok’s role in relationship education. Through their qualitative study on TikTok’s influence in romantic contexts, they found that users often perceive relationship trends as credible sources of advice, even when these trends are anecdotal or lack scientific grounding. Similarly, Lin (2023), found that many teens reported feeling pressure to meet certain milestones they saw online, which is relevant to this study in relation to expectations such as progressing from the talking stage to relationship status within a specific timeframe. Additionally, Portolan (2025) cautions against accepting TikTok relationship trends at face value, arguing that the platform often reinforces extreme narratives that may distort healthy relationship expectations. She highlights that the proliferation of relationship advice may encourage hypercritical or immature relationship evaluations. Another key theme in the literature is the internalisation of timing rules, especially the ‘3-month rule,’ which suggests that individuals should know whether a relationship is worth pursuing long-term by the third month. Burley (2024) critiques this rule, stating it places pressure on young people to rush the development of connections. Wu (2024) adds that these rules may shape teens’ expectations before they even experience their first relationship, prioritising social image over genuine emotional connection.

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Despite these insights, existing studies rarely combine algorithmic influence with emotions and perceived relationship ‘schedules’ in a single investigation. This study aims to bridge that gap by exploring how teenagers internalise TikTok relationship timelines and their resulting emotional consequences, including their impacts on their self-worth and decision-making. Moreover, unlike prior observation-based research, this study uses an experimental design to assess TikTok’s real-time influence on young people.

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Methodology:​ 

Study Design:

Mixed-Method, Experimental + Qualitative This study will recruit 50 young people aged 13 to 24, who are regular TikTok users (at least once a week). Participants’ relationship statuses are not restricted, as the research focuses on relationship expectations, not behaviours. All participants will remain anonymous, and data collected will be kept strictly confidential.

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Phase 1: Timeline Drawing Task (Baseline)

Participants will draw their ‘ideal relationship timeline,’ including key stages such as meeting, talking, dating milestones, and potential breakups. This unprompted task captures subconscious romantic progression beliefs before any experimental exposure. Before beginning, participants will answer a baseline survey question asking: ‘Have you previously seen TikTok videos that discuss relationship timing rules?’ This ensures the study records pre-existing exposure.

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Phase 2: Experimental Exposure

Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups. The experimental group will be shown a curated TikTok playlist for 10–15 minutes promoting relationship timing rules. Meanwhile, the control group will be shown neutral, non-relationship content. After exposure, both groups will revise their relationship timelines.

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Phase 3: Reflective Survey and Open-Ended Interviews

All participants will complete a reflective survey and/or open-ended interviews covering: First, the degree of emotional pressure felt about achieving milestones within certain timeframes, and the sources of this pressure. Secondly, how their self-esteem is impacted if relationships do not meet perceived ‘ideal’ timing. Thirdly, direct questions asking if they recognise TikTok’s role in shaping their expectations. Lastly, their views on whether TikTok’s portrayal of relationships matches reality.

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Data Analysis:

For initial timelines, identify existing TikTok-influenced patterns; flag participants with high prior exposure. After video exposure, for the experimental group, track changes in structure, rigidity, and TikTok-specific references. For the final timeline, examine similarities in stages, phrasing, and timeline rigidity. Subsequently, in the survey and interview, examine emotional pressure, recognition of TikTok’s influence, shifts in self-worth, and perceived truthfulness of TikTok portrayals. Only new shifts and stronger TikTok-pattern conformity in the experimental group will be interpreted as evidence of TikTok’s influence.

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Research Significance

TikTok is no longer just an entertainment app, it shapes culture and emotional norms. Young people are especially vulnerable to internalising repeated messages, especially when framed as relationship "rules." This study shifts focus from what young people believe, to how they emotionally respond to TikTok’s timing rules. By combining timeline drawing, curated video exposure, and reflection, the research explores how social media influences emotional readiness and self-worth. Findings may support digital literacy efforts to help youth navigate emotionally charged content in algorithm-driven spaces.

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Conclusion:

Given the high mortality associated with late-stage lung cancer diagnosis in India, and the severe disparity in diagnostic access between urban and rural populations, there is an urgent need for scalable, low-cost early detection tools. By expanding my original research into a pan-India study, this project will enable the development of a robust, AIdriven, symptom-based lung cancer screening tool, adaptable for use in primary care settings across diverse regions. This tool can empower frontline healthcare workers to identify at-risk patients earlier, prioritize interventions, and ultimately save lives in communities where the traditional healthcare infrastructure is weak. By combining machine learning innovation with a commitment to healthcare equity, this research has the potential to meaningfully reduce the burden of lung cancer mortality across India.

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References :

Burley, E. (2024, May 14). Is the three-month rule for real? Therapist.com. https://therapist.com/relationships/three-month-rule/

 

Cinelli, M., Morales, G. D. F., Galeazzi, A., Quattrociocchi, W., & Starnini, M. (2021). The echo chamber effect on social media. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(9), e2023301118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023301118

 

Faverio, M., Anderson, M., & Park, E. (2025, April 22). Teens, social media and mental health. Pew Research Center https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/04/22/teens-social-media-and-mental-health/

 

Faverio, M., & Sidoti, O. (2024, December 12). Teens, social media and technology: 2024. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/12/12/teens-social-media-and-technology-2024/

 

Langlais, M. R., Boudreau, C., & Asad, L. (2024). TikTok and romantic relationships: A qualitative descriptive analysis. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 8(3), 95–112. https://www.ajqr.org/download/tiktok-and-romantic-relationships-a-qualitative-descriptive-an alysis-14896.pdf

 

Lin, Z. (2023). Analysis of the psychological impact of TikTok on contemporary teenagers. SHS Web of Conferences, 157, 01024. https://www.shs-conferences.org/articles/shsconf/pdf/2023/06/shsconf_essc2023_01024.pdf

 

Mooney, G. (2023, February 14). Explained: The girlies on TikTok have come up with this February theory all about love. The Tab. https://thetab.com/2023/02/14/february-theory-tiktok-cuffing-season

 

Portolan, L. (2025, February 2). From ‘couple goals’ to ‘beige flags’: Here’s why you shouldn’t take relationship advice from TikTok. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/feb/03/from-couple-goals-to-beige-flags-h eres-why-you-shouldnt-take-relationship-advice-from-tiktok

 

United Nations. (n.d.). Youth. https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/youth

 

Wu, M. (2024, December 4). Destined to date? The TikTok influence on modern romance. The Science Survey. https://thesciencesurvey.com/arts-entertainment/2024/12/04/destined-to-date-the-tiktok-influe nce-on-modern-romance/