Concerns grow over youth involvement in online sex trade

A recent national study has uncovered a sharp rise in online sex work among young Barbadians, sparking concerns about mental health risks and the potential involvement of underage individuals.

The startling revelations came to light during research work done for the Stigma Register Project 2024–2025, conducted under the National Wellbeing and HIV Commission, which surveyed 706 people between October 2024 and February 2025.

In the process of conducting the research, which explored stigma and discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals, sex workers, and people living with HIV, the survey made startling discoveries about a growing online sex work economy that spans the island.

Jade Moore, one of the project’s research officers, said the findings reveal a robust underground economy dominated by individuals aged 18 to 35, including students from tertiary institutions who are turning to digital sex work to fund their education.

“I’d like to give you some more insight with this online sex work,” Moore said in an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY on Tuesday following a symposium. “From the research that I did for the National Wellbeing and HIV Commission, the stigma and discrimination research, I found that the ages from 18 to 35—there is a big, big market on online sex work.”

She recounted stories from respondents who maintain websites for private clients, offer services ranging from feet and body pictures to live video sessions, and receive payments through formal banking channels—all without ever meeting clients face-to-face.

“They literally have bank accounts that the money gets transferred to, because sometimes you never even meet your clients [in person],” Moore explained. “So, I found also in the research that a lot of younger men are into this.”

What stood out, she said, was the openness of male participants about their involvement.

“They weren’t ashamed that this is what they do. They told me they do it for males, they do it for females, they do it for older men, they do it for older women. It’s just about getting the dollar.”

The digital nature of these services—facilitated via websites, social media, and encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp—has enabled the formation of discreet yet highly organised networks.

“It’s like a whole community,” Moore said. “If I know for sure that you are into this, I will pass it on [contact/website information and social media accounts]. Females do it too, but the males are more bold about, ‘this is what I do, this is what I can provide’.”

In one case, Moore met a participant who built his own online platform from scratch.

“What he showed me on the website—I must say it’s a very good website,” she noted. “He told me he created it himself because he’s into computer programming.”

Another was a top student, rewarded with devices by his family, which he used to host private shows from his bedroom.

With such operations often taking place behind closed doors, Moore stressed the importance of equipping young people with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves.

“They need to protect themselves mentally and physically,” she warned. “Learn about condoms, the correct way to use condoms and stuff. And always know your status. Don’t care how much money a person pays you for unprotected sex. Protect yourself.”

She said she tries to frame sex work in business terms when speaking with young people.

“With businesses, they have rules and they have guidelines,” she said. “So, if this is really what you want to do, you set your rules and your guidelines.”

While the formal scope of the study focused on persons aged 18 and older—in line with legal consent—Moore expressed serious unease that minors could also be involved in the online sex economy.

“We don’t know about the 17s, the 16s and the 15s, what they are doing,” she admitted. “And unfortunately, some people might just lie. They say that, ‘Here I am this, here I am that age.’”

The rise in activity appears to have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical sex work faced restrictions.

“At the end of the day, even if you were doing it physically, when the pandemic hit, you had to find some way to make your money,” she noted.

Moore urged the commission and its partners to adapt to new realities by using the same digital tools young people rely on to promote safe and healthy sexual habits.

“Young people don’t watch CBC News,” she said. “We have the influencers here in Barbados. You could get them on board with this.”

As the digital sex economy continues to grow unchecked, Moore believes urgent intervention is needed not just to reduce stigma and discrimination, but to protect vulnerable youth from exploitation and long-term harm.

“Because these younger generation people, they are very smart. Very, very, very smart,” she said.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb