Platforms, sex work and their interconnectedness

Jon Swords, Mary Laing*, Ian Cook

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)
466 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This article examines the interconnectedness of sex work with the platform economy. It does this by mobilizing two concepts from the platform economy literature: the platform stack (which captures the structure of platforms) and interpenetration (which describes the processes through which platforms intersect). Exploring these concepts, the article draws on a dataset of linked platforms used by 54 cam workers and documented observations of 55 different platforms. These platforms include those designed for sex workers as well as those with a more generalist function. In mapping this platform ecology, the article highlights some of the opportunities, barriers and risks that platform interpenetration presents for sex workers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)277-297
Number of pages21
JournalSexualities
Volume26
Issue number3
Early online date28 Sept 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2023

Keywords

  • interpenetration
  • platform economy
  • platform stack
  • sex industry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Platforms, sex work and their interconnectedness'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this