Shadow-Banning, Account Deletion and Psychological Harm

In recent years, the rise of online sex work has challenged the mainstream media companies' narrative on sexuality and has given many marginalized women a means of economic empowerment. However, despite the growing acceptance of sex work as a legitimate profession, online sex workers still face discrimination and marginalization from mainstream media companies.

Shadow-banning and Account Deletion

Online sex workers are often subjected to shadow-banning, where their content is hidden from the majority of users on social media platforms. This is done under the guise of protecting users from "inappropriate" content, but in reality, it is a form of censorship that discriminates against marginalized women. Furthermore, social media companies often delete the accounts of sex workers altogether, causing them to lose their following and income overnight. This is a direct attack on the livelihoods of women who have often turned to online sex work as a means of survival.

Psychological Harm

The plight of online sex workers is often overlooked, and the consequences of their marginalization can be devastating. These women are already vulnerable because of the industry they work in, yet society further ostracizes them through constant harassment and discrimination. The emotional toll of this discrimination can lead to severe depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, which are only compounded by the fact that they are unable to promote themselves in any way. It's a vicious cycle: the same society that drives them to the fringes also denies them the means to promote themselves and their work. This not only affects their livelihoods but also takes a toll on their mental and emotional well-being. It's time for society to recognize the humanity of sex workers and to provide them with the resources they need to stay safe and healthy. These are real people with real lives, and they deserve respect and dignity just like anyone else.

Double Standard for Men

The level of moral hypocrisy demonstrated by the tech industry towards sex workers is truly outrageous. These same executives and Silicon Valley tech bros who are responsible for banning sex workers on social media platforms are the very same individuals who regularly hire sex workers as escorts. They are engaging the services of the same women they are discriminating against and marginalizing. It's not only immoral, but it's also a clear indication of the double standards that still exist in society when it comes to women's sexuality. The tech industry has built its success on the back of the sexualization and objectification of women. From the inception of the internet, pornography has been one of the biggest draws, with men consuming it for centuries. Yet, when women try to take control of their own bodies and monetize their own sexual expression, they are ostracized and castigated. Women content creators are shadow-banned, deleted, and restricted in ways that men are not. It's easy to blame the tech industry and its executives, but the truth is that the entire system is puritanical and misogynistic. Society is quick to judge women who work in the adult industry, labeling them as damaged, immoral, or worse. But men who hire sex workers are not subject to the same scrutiny or condemnation. In fact, they are often celebrated for their sexual exploits and conquests. It's time to recognize that sex work is work and should be treated as such. Women should have the right to choose how they use their bodies and how they monetize their sexuality. They should not be discriminated against or marginalized for trying to make a living in an industry that has been around for centuries. The tech industry needs to end its hypocrisy and start treating sex workers with the respect and dignity they deserve. Only then can we truly move towards a society that values women and their right to control their own bodies and sexual expression.

Moving Forward

It is time for mainstream media companies to recognize the legitimacy of online sex work and to stop discriminating against women in this industry. Social media platforms need to be held accountable for their censorship practices and be more transparent about their policies. We must also work towards creating a society that embraces sexuality in all its forms and recognizes the autonomy of women to make decisions about their own bodies and lives. The discrimination faced by online sex workers is not just about the ability to earn a living; it is about basic human rights and dignity. It is time for society to move past its puritanical attitudes towards women's sexuality and embrace a more accepting and inclusive approach. We must ensure that all women, regardless of their profession, have the right to express themselves freely and without fear of discrimination or marginalization.

Further Reading

  • Carolina Are (2021) The Shadowban Cycle: an autoethnography of pole dancing, nudity and censorship on Instagram, Feminist Media Studies, DOI: 10.1080/14680777.2021.1928259
  • Danielle Blunt, Stefanie Duguay, Tarleton Gillespie, Sinnamon Love & Clarissa Smith (2021) Deplatforming Sex: a roundtable conversation, Porn Studies, 8:4, 420-438, DOI: 10.1080/23268743.2021.2005907
  • Gwyn Easterbrook-Smith (2022) OnlyFans as gig-economy work: a nexus of precarity and stigma, Porn Studies, DOI: 10.1080/23268743.2022.2096682
  • Carolyn Bronstein (2021) Deplatforming sexual speech in the age of FOSTA/SESTA, Porn Studies, 8:4, 367-380, DOI: 10.1080/23268743.2021.1993972

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