By Kellie Scott, ABC
Photo: @AbbieChatfield
For many who received questionable sex education in school, social media has become a safe way to learn more about sex and sexual health.
Sex worker Kayla Jade, sexologist Juliet Allen and podcaster Abbie Chatfield are just some local influencers, or "sexfluencers", posting on platforms like Instagram and Tiktok.
There are also medical practitioners sharing health information, and everyday people speaking about their lived sexual experiences - including those from diverse and minority communities who previously haven't had a platform, said Alexandra James.
She's a research fellow from the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University.
"Digital spaces are very much a go-to for anything that is taboo and even health," said James.
"People feel safe to learn in this online, anonymous environment."
She said many sexfluencers are "relatable", able to break taboos and shame and focus on traditionally absent topics such as female pleasure.
And while the rise of sexfluencers is neither positive nor negative according to James.
"I think it just 'is'."
She believes having the digital literacy to responsibly and critically consume the content is key.
Changing the conversation around sex
Sexfluencers are playing a role in the "democratisation of sex", said James, meaning, it is accessible to everyone.
"[We are seeing a focus] on pleasure - female pleasure especially, which for so long has been absent or neglected," James said.
"And diversity in general in terms of different types of bodies and abilities."
She said professionals such as pelvic floor physiotherapists bringing attention to female sexual health have also been a positive of sexfluencing.
"Some of these experts are also working to combat other less evidence-backed information."
Kassandra Mourikis, a sex therapist based in Melbourne, said there are conversations about exploring pleasure in diverse ways, for example, bringing kink more into the mainstream.
"We are hearing about different types of relationships... it might be open relationships or relationship anarchy."
She said there are also increasing discussions around masturbation and sex toys.
"Part of that increase is sexual wellness brands showing footage of vibrators and discussing their benefits, dispelling myths."
Anyone can be a sexfluencer
People from a diverse range of communities sharing their lived experiences has been an encouraging shift, said Mourikis.
"Like fat activists talking about sex and pleasure for people in larger bodies, or black and brown people taking up space in a white-dominated area.
"I really appreciate seeing disabled and neurodivergent and chronically ill people sharing their experience and giving tips and skills for navigating casual sex and dating - in a way that sex educators have totally missed."
Being aware that the influencer space is largely self-regulated, however, is helpful to remember when consuming content, said Mourikis.
"There are risks around people giving advice they are not actually qualified to give."
- - ABC
