There’s a moment every parent of a young man has, usually somewhere between his 16th and 25th birthday, when you look at him, look at his mates, and suddenly realise just how vulnerable boys really are. They swagger, they posture, they act worldly, but underneath, they’re still kids trying to figure out masculinity, sexuality, identity and self-worth in a world that’s getting more complicated (and sexualised) by the day.
Bonnie Blue was so offensive that even OnlyFans, the YouTube of subscriber porn, terminated her account.Credit: Rob Parfitt / Channel 4
Which brings me to the Bonnie Blue phenomenon. For those who don’t know, she’s the English pornographic stunt-person who had sex with more than 1000 men in a single day, and who is known for filming sexual content with university students. She was, umm, so offensive that even OnlyFans, the YouTube of subscriber porn, terminated her account.
Blue represents a deeply troubling cultural moment – when sexualised content targeting young men is glamorised as an ecosystem of entertainment. The behaviour she promotes is seen by many as reckless, exploitative and socially corrosive, reducing boys to props and punchlines.
Sure. She can do what she likes. But this is about the cultural machine that has turned a woman known for sexual content – targeted towards the young – into a kind of folk hero among teenage boys and twenty-something blokes wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “I (heart emoji) Bonnie Blue” as if it’s an achievement. Or a personality trait. Or, worse, a badge of honour.
Let’s call it what it is: a disturbing celebration of predatory sexual dynamics disguised as banter. Blue attempted to visit Australia this year for schoolies-adjacent appearances, and rightly, her visa was revoked. She headed to Bali instead.
Because somewhere in the system, someone recognised what parents like me see instantly: this isn’t empowerment, education or humour. This is sexualisation marketed directly at boys who don’t yet have fully formed boundaries, experience or emotional defences. And the worst part? They’re buying into it with T-shirts, embarrassing bragging rights, memes and embarrassing bravado.
I don’t say this as some kind of creepy Karen. God forbid. I say this as a mother who has spent decades working in media, lifestyle, entertainment and pop culture. I’ve seen trends come and go. I’ve seen scandals. I’ve seen provocateurs. But there is a difference – a huge difference – between adult sexuality and the public glorification of using sexually inexperienced boys for content or career momentum.
And how have we ended up in a world where a Gold Coast condom shop selling Bonnie Blue fan-merch to teens is seen as hilarious?
It’s not hilarious. It’s horrifying. My anger isn’t directed solely at one woman. It’s at the ecosystem – the online platforms, merch companies, retailers, and yes, the young men themselves – that have turned sexual exploitation into a brand aesthetic.