An overview of commercial sex work associated with social media in South Africa and its related victimization

Mandlenkosi Richard Mphatheni, Khanyisile Berlinda Majola, Bongolethu Diko and Sazelo Mkhize
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Mandlenkosi Richard Mphatheni: School of Social Sciences Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice University of Limpopo, Polokwane South Africa
Khanyisile Berlinda Majola: School of Applied Human Sciences, Department of Criminology and Forensic, Studies University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Bongolethu Diko: School of Applied Human Sciences, Department of Criminology and Forensic, Studies University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Sazelo Mkhize: School of Criminal Justice, Department of Criminology and Security Science University of South Africa

Social Sciences and Education Research Review, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 417-426

Abstract: The rise of social media in South Africa has resulted in several risks linked with its use and exposure. A new type of commercial sex labour camouflaged behind the blesser-blessee notions grew so popular in 2016 that it thrived, thanks to exposure from social media platforms such as X, formerly known as Twitter and Instagram. Previous research has focused on the rationale for the existence of this new commercial sex activity disguised as blesser-blessee. This current study focuses on the commercial sex work associated with social media in South Africa and concomitant victimisation. The qualitative content literature study method and qualitative content analyses were used to analyse the data gathered by reviewing previous studies. The study found that the blesser-blessee relationship violates social morals and exposes the recipient to health risks and unplanned pregnancy. The study recommends improvement of economic participation by young adult females; this will give them economic power and allow them to safeguard themselves from sexual exploitation because they wish to attain a flashy lifestyle.

Keywords: Blesser-blessee; commercial sex work; Onlyfans; social media; transactional sex (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: K42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:edt:jsserr:v:12:y:2025:i:1:p:417-426

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15804588

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