In my master's thesis, I research a view of digital sex work by focusing on those who perform their work on the online platform OnlyFans. In the theoretical part of the research, I present various concepts and theories that are important for understanding digital sex work. In the initial part of the theoretical introduction, I present sex work, theoretical aspects of sex work, different forms of sex work, labor rights of sex workers, and the connection between sex work and social work. In the following part, I define digital sex work and the process of digitization on the internet and also explore online sexuality. In the final part of the theoretical introduction, I focus on online platforms in connection with sex work, OnlyFans platform and gig economy. The research is qualitative, as I conducted ten interviews with female creators on OnlyFans, and received answers to the questionnaire from some of them via voice messages or in written form. The main findings of my research are the following. The reasons or motivations for digital sex work and work on the OnlyFans platform are money, interest, and joy in the field of work, and a way of working that takes place on one's terms and online. The main specialty of working on online platforms is the conversation with users (fans) and the blurring of the line between creative and sexual work. Participants define their work differently; in most cases, not as sexual, and according to that, they do not call themselves sex workers but suggest other names. The social view of sex work is recognized by the participants, as negative and disapproving. In the sphere of digital sex work, online violence and abuse of content often occur and creators on OnlyFans want more help from the competent authorities and an improvement of their situation. As for the positive aspects of creating erotic and sexual content on the mentioned platform, the participants emphasize community, self-confidence and earnings.
|