perving.

One of the next most common “sex work advice” questions I get asked is, ‘how to remain safe online?’ Here are my suggestions!

1) Always, always use a pseudonym. Your legal name is not remotely necessary for anyone else to know. Some sites will require your legal name, but they will also keep them hidden. Double and triple check your settings for anything that may require your name (for payments/ID verification etc)

2) Have location turned off at all times when taking photos. You do not want your photos to be giving away your information. All photos contain digital information that can contain your whereabouts! Keep location off on your phone and in any app settings you come across.

3) Don’t link any social media unless you want them to be connected. I know this one sounds like a “duh” but it happens! Make sure your tumblr is completely unconnected to your personal twitter/instagram. Be careful using the same email to sign up for different platforms. Most platforms will have you searchable by email address or will use it to suggest followers.

4) If you choose not to show your face in pictures, remove all identifying tattoos/piercings/jewellery etc. Just because your face isn’t in an image, doesn’t mean you won’t be recognised! It can and has happened! I can pick out many of my fellow swers based on jewellery alone.

5) Lie about your location or keep it simple. If you live in a small town or city especially! The info of your city/state can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Nobody needs to be privvy to where you live.

6) Have a specific email under false name for all work related use. Like mentioned earlier, using the same email address for personal and work accounts can backfire easily. Keep all your work accounts seperate from your personal ones.

7) Do not send content/add to snap until payment is received. Many customers will ask to be given previews or will want their content before a payment is confirmed. You absolutely do not have to. Until a payment is 100% completed, you owe them no content. At all.

8) Do not send content in return for wishlist items until you have item. A very common mistake that swers make, both new and experienced ones, is to take the fact that someone has ordered you a gift as enough. It isn’t. A lot of sites will allow items to be cancelled and some sites (like amazon) have “buy elsewhere” options which can make items look purchased when they haven’t been. Don’t fall for it, if the customer is legitimate, they won’t mind the wait.

9) Do not compromise your rules for anyone. You are the only person in charge of what you will and will not do. Do not let someone twist your resolution and force you into something that you’re not comfortable with. You set your own rules, stick to them, change them only if and when you are comfortable doing so.

10) Your customers are not your friends. Some customers might be your regulars! You might talk to them often, you might know them quite well and you might get along with them nicely. That does not mean they are your friend. They are a customer who isn’t privvy to any extras, any personal information or anything else you don’t want to give.

Don’t allow your customers to cross any of your boundaries you have set. 

11) Lots of websites do not allow the sale/promotion of any sexual content. You need to do research on any website you are planning to use. Some payment processors will close your account potentially blocking your access to your funds. A list with information on them is available here, compiled by MissFreudianSlit.

In the wake of new laws more and more sites are closing their doors to anyone working in the sex industry. Do your research.

Your safety is paramount. Sex workers are always at risk, working online does not mean you are safe. Take all possible precautions to protect yourself.

Any sex workers are welcome to add their own online advice!