Defining prostitution and sex work in the digital age: a computational social media approach to online discussions

• In Event: Transactional Sex and Victimization in Spain: Risk Factors, Experiences, and Public Perceptions

Abstract

Public perceptions of sex work, prostitution, and transactional sex are deeply influenced by cultural, ideological, and political contexts, shaping societal attitudes and policy debates. Online platforms like Reddit provide a unique space where these concepts are actively discussed, reframed, and contested. Therefore, this study examines how the visibility of sex work in digital spaces affects public perceptions compared to traditional, physical visibility. Using a qualitative analysis of Reddit discussions and a comparative framework drawing with data from Spain, the research explores how the terms “sex work,” “prostitution,” and “transactional sex” are framed and debated, highlighting ideological, moral, and legal narratives that emerge in these online spaces. By analysing language, themes, and conceptual frames, this study aims to uncover the values and ideologies shaping public narratives about commercial sex and digital labour, as well as to explore the impact of the cyberspace in the public reaction towards these sorts of activities. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how online discourse influences attitudes toward sex work while offering insights for policymakers and researchers navigating the complexities of its regulation in contemporary societies.

Authors

• Rocio Martínez Almanza, Professor of Political Science and Administration Department of Social and Human Sciences Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Researcher CRÍMINA Centre

• Pablo Romero-Seseña, Universitat de Barcelona