The Chilling Reality of Criminal Glamour on TikTok
Disturbing trends are emerging among Gen Z women, revealing a seductive allure for criminals, fueled largely by TikTok’s glamorization of violent offenders. A recent study confirms that when young women consume content that romanticizes criminals, especially notorious figures like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer, they are more likely to develop an attraction to these individuals, a troubling phenomenon known as hybristophilia.
The data is stark: women who engage with TikToks glorifying these offenders report higher levels of attraction than those who simply scroll past the content. This alarming trend highlights how social media can warp perceptions of morality and empathy among young people.
Influential videos present serial killers and fictional villains as misunderstood and romantic figures, twisting their heinous actions into expressions of loyalty and passion. Commenters openly label these men as “ideal partners,” showcasing a distorted relationship dynamic where violence is misconstrued as love.
TikTok thrives on irony and playful banter, allowing users to comment provocatively, using language like “Daddy” or “Smash” to express attraction for murderers. The pervasive fantasy of “I can fix him” suggests a troubling belief that love can rehabilitate even the most dangerous individuals.
Researchers from the University of Huddersfield studied 66 TikToks and 91 comments, surveying almost 100 women aged 18 to 27. Their findings are unsettling: TikTok is shaping empathic responses and moral boundaries in ways that distort reality.
The platform’s portrayal of attractive actors playing criminals—like Zac Efron as Ted Bundy—blurs the line between fiction and reality. Instead of fostering empathy for victims, these narratives redirect emotional identification towards the offenders, softening the perception of their violent actions.
This is not just a fleeting trend. Experts argue that TikTok’s algorithm cultivates addiction, presenting users with more content that aligns with their interests, further deepening their connection to criminal narratives. As viewers become engrossed in the backstories of these criminals, they may develop a misguided sense of intimacy with them.
This troubling fascination recently played out in the aftermath of a high-profile crime in December 2024. Following the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, social media quickly filled with memes praising the looks of accused criminal Luigi Mangione. Such reactions trivialize violence and demonstrate how glamorizing accused killers can resonate exceptionally with audiences.
TikTok’s structure promotes an obsession with danger, using emotional hooks to make violent figures appear more enticing over time. As Pamela Rutledge from the Media Psychology Research Center points out, the normalization and romanticization of danger online create psychological conditions conducive to hybristophilic attraction among today’s youth.
In a hyperconnected world, the dangers of virtual romance cannot be understated. TikTok and similar platforms are reshaping how young people view intimacy, often blurring the line between admiration and attraction to those who commit acts of violence. The consequences are monumental, warranting a serious examination of the content being consumed by Gen Z. It is essential that we safeguard the values of our society from the creeping influence of such dangerous narratives.
