Raunchy ‘BookTok’ novels normalise sex assault, domestic violence

Kids as young as 12 are being exposed to novels normalising sexual assault and domestic violence via TikTok, prompting calls for an industry-wide book rating classification system.

Popular young adult novels with bright covers and fairytale themes are normalising sexual assault and domestic violence in relationships, sparking calls for an industry-wide book rating classification system.

A child protection expert has urged schools and parents to pay closer attention to the books teenagers are reading, after new research found several young adult novels recommended on TikTok community “BookTok” promoted themes of obsession, jealousy, possessiveness and control.

An Australian Catholic University analysis of 20 romance, fantasy, paranormal and general fiction novels found in the young adult section at bookstores and in school libraries revealed 65 per cent contained “extreme” levels of sexually explicit content while two in three featured graphic or extreme violence.

More alarmingly, these books were being promoted to and read by children as young as 12-years-old.

ACU Institute of Child Protection Studies research associate Dr Emma Hussey said many of these books had covers with pastel colours, cartoon figures and fairytale themes which could be perceived as appropriate for children.

“You know that old adage ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’? Well that’s exactly what we’ve got here,” she said.

“For instance, Hooked by Emily McIntire – there was a special edition … it has a fairytale theme, Big Ben on the (cover) and these beautiful red pages, but what you don’t know is inside those pages is a man who is stalking a young lady, who’s murdering people and is the main love interest.

“He uses a GPS tracker and we know that technology-facilitated domestic violence is so prevalent in our society – but that (book is) just on the shelves.”

Other themes present in the popular novels analysed included torture, grooming, power imbalance, sexual objectification and masculinity tropes including powerful, dangerous and handsome male love interests.

Dr Hussey said parents were buying these books for their children oblivious to the themes present inside because they were placed on shelves in the young adult section, often with no content warning.

“If we continue to give children access to books that romanticise power imbalances, emotional manipulation, or sexual coercion without support or context, we risk raising a generation that struggles to recognise healthy boundaries,” she said.

“We need to be able to equip them with tools to navigate love safely.”

Consequently, Dr Hussey is calling for an industry-wide book rating classification system – similar to the way movies or video games are rated – to help parents make informed decisions.

The ACU study found an alarming number of school library books had extreme levels of sexually explicit content. Picture: Shae Beplate.

She also suggested having consistently applied content warnings and a parental awareness campaign to educate families.

“Content warnings empower readers to make choices about what they’re ready for. They’re not spoilers, they’re respectful tools, especially when stories include trauma, abuse or sexual violence,” she said.

“I think it’s really important you know what you’re embarking on. Whether you’re 12 or you’re a 30-year-old woman.”

As for parents who feel their child is ready for more mature novels, Dr Hussey said discussions about what a healthy relationship looked like or even co-reading could better prepare them for the themes present.

“Before purchasing a book for your child or if you notice your child is reading a book, you could look at user-driven content reviews online … which will tell you some of the main quotes and themes that are involved,” she said.

“You should watch for red flags such as books that are promoted as dark romance or spicy or say it’s for mature readers.

“Children have access to these books in other mediums now … they can make Kindle purchases. So potentially you should be watching what their Kindle purchases are as well.”

Originally published as Raunchy ‘BookTok’ novels normalise sex assault, domestic violence