The dangers of using of social media in conjunction with sex work.

The past few years have seen a rapid rise in online sex work, predominantly through the site OnlyFans which has subscribers pay a monthly amount to receive access to exclusive content from online models and influencers. This has become a common, and accepted, facet of the internet. However, in recent weeks discourse surrounding the ethics of sex work, specifically sex work promoted online, has opened up significantly, begging the question of whether or not sex work is inherently feminist, and if these women are empowered by their choices, or simply the illusion of choice?

The idea of “free will” is flawed and ultimately a deception, and dare I go as far to say, a daydream. Social movements, like feminism, were formed in response to the inability to claim free will under all-encompassing systems of oppression. In order to argue that women have free will under a patriarchal system of power is to argue that the patriarchy itself no longer exists, which, again, is a deception. Choice feminism dictates that choices made by women are inherently feminist simply by association. But the environment in which women decide to become sex workers needs to be taken into account. Why do they feel their bodies are their best bet at making a viable living? The hyper sexualisation of female bodies will always be patriarchal, it doesn’t matter who is being paid. 

On 7 December, YouTube creator Josh Pieters released a forty-seven-minute documentary detailing OnlyFans creator Lily Phillips’ quest to sleep with one hundred men in twenty-four hours. In the documentary, Phillips is seen in fits of tears; her distress is apparent. Comments online largely centre around Lily’s nature, whether or not she seems like she is nice or friendly; keyboard warriors weigh up if they believe she is a “good” person or not. But this is entirely unrelated, sex work is often defended or condemned based on morality and the desire to make women’s actions moral or immoral, when in actual fact morality can be removed from the equation. It doesn’t matter whether Phillips is rude to her barista in the morning or if she donates to charity - her character does not matter when discussing the ways in which exploitation can happen covertly. 

Why did it take Lily Phillips to show extreme emotional distress on camera for people to begin questioning whether these women are being exploited? 

In contrast, fellow online sex worker, Bonnie Blue, is not afforded the same level of sympathy that Lily Phillips has received online. This is due to Bonnie Blue’s lack of vulnerability, as she has presented a far tougher, less emotional exterior than Phillips. Bonnie Blue is not the “perfect victim”, and thus doesn’t appeal to those wanting to save a damsel in distress. Why did it take Phillips to show extreme emotional distress on camera for people to begin questioning whether these women are being exploited? 

Issues of mental health and exploitation aside: the physical health of women engaged in challenges to sleep with hundreds, even thousands, of men in twenty-four hours, is in danger. To add to online discourse, many doctors have weighed in with concerns over STDs and the physical damage caused by such long, vigorous instances of penetration. Engaging in this media is demonstrating a complete disregard for the wellbeing and health of the women involved.

The careers of these two women have proven that OnlyFans is not the softcore, more dignified and less risky form of sex work; it can be just as harmful, and often is. Sex work becoming more tolerated and visible through social media is just increasing the dangers, both for young women being encouraged to join this line of work, and those who might stumble across their content online. 

Ultimately, the use of OnlyFans is not a feminist statement and the detriment to the mental and physical health of women is never worth the profit involved. In fact, I would go as far to argue that those engaging in the type of media produced by online stars like Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips are actively and consciously contributing to the exploitation of women: it indicates a deep-rooted disrespect and contempt.

Published 8 February 2025