TikTok “BOP Girls” and the Peer-to-Peer Recruitment Into Monetized Sexualized Online Lifestyles
- The White Hatter
- Aug 15
- 4 min read
CAVEAT - This week we spoke with a parent whose 18-year-old daughter had become involved in BOP culture as a fast way to make money this summer. When the daughter began to see the negative consequences of her online choices, she turned to her mother for help. Her mother then reached out to us for guidance, which inspired this article.
In today’s fast‑moving digital world, parents are right to worry that any social media platform can become a gateway to unhealthy sexualized behaviour, or even pornography. A trend gaining attention is the rise of TikTok “BOP girls”, sometimes called “mattress actresses” by teens, who present sexualized self presentation as a form of feminist entrepreneurship, offering glamorous, low‑risk, and fast money. We first wrote an article on BOP girls earlier this year (1)
TikTok is used as a gateway to sites like OnlyFans, given its algorithms are designed to keep users hooked, where more “private” sexually explicit interactions are monetized, again we wrote an in depth article on this process earlier this year (2)
Studies show that even just a few days of viewing this type of BOP content can dramatically increase exposure to harmful content:
A modelling study by UCL and University of Kent found a four‑fold increase in misogynistic content on TikTok’s “For You” page after just five days, normalizing harmful ideologies through entertaining, but toxic, videos. (3)
Australia’s eSafety Advisory warns that what kids see online isn’t random; it’s carefully curated to keep them scrolling, and believing there’s something more personalized just around the corner (4)
These suggestive algorithms don't just nudge, they push teens down a rabbit hole. That means what begins as a dance video or beauty trend can easily escalate into sexualization and pornography.
This BOP trend becomes even more concerning when you look at how recruitment takes place. Rather than being recruited by a stereotypical pimp, the process often takes place peer-to-peer, as it did in this case. Teens are not usually targeted by strangers, but instead influenced by friends or near age influencers who frame the behaviour as normal and appealing. Beneath the surface, this trend often pushes teens toward producing and normalizing online hyper-sexualized pornographic content, with peers drawing other peers into the lifestyle , again something that we also wrote about earlier this year. (5)
It’s marketed as a quick way to make money, as a form of empowerment and cultural validation, and as a movement that peers are joining together. Because these messages are coming from people who feel like equals, classmates, online friends, or influencers who look and act just like them, they carry a sense of credibility that makes them far more persuasive.
The idea of “if they can do it, why can’t I?” begins to take hold, and resisting that pull becomes much more difficult. We believe, anecdotally, that peer norms significantly shape sexual behaviour. We have found that teens are more likely to engage in hyper-sexualized activity when they believe it’s the norm among their peers, particularly when they think “sexually active girls are cool or popular” On social media, desires for likes, attention, and belonging amplify these influences exponentially.
Our message to parents and caregivers, simply banning TikTok won’t solve the deeper issue, given that this trend shifts across platforms. Here’s a more effective, layered approach that we recommend:
#1 - Instead of launching into a lecture, start by asking your teen questions that spark reflection. For example, you might ask, “What do you think people really gain from posting videos like those? Do they seem as pressure free as they look?” This approach invites your child to think critically about what they see online, while also giving them space to share their own observations without feeling judged or defensive.
#2 - It’s also important to explain that genuine empowerment comes from making informed, voluntary choices, not from giving in to peer pressure, algorithms, or the promise of quick profit. Teens often hear messages online that equate hyper-sexualized behaviour with confidence or financial independence, but you can help them understand the difference between empowerment and manipulation.
#3 - Without shaming, share real stories of people who faced long term consequences after getting involved in these trends. Whether it’s lost privacy, damaged reputations, or emotional regret, all three of which the teen who spawned this article experienced, or hearing about actual experiences makes the risks tangible. The key is to present these stories with empathy, not fear, so your teen sees them as learning opportunities rather than scare tactics.
#4 - Help your teen understand how algorithms shape what they see. Platforms are designed to push content that keeps people engaged, even if that content promotes unhealthy extremes. Once teens realize that much of what shows up in their feed is carefully engineered to hold their attention, they’re better equipped to recognize when they’re being nudged toward choices that don’t truly serve them.
#5 - Model the behaviour you want to see. Let your teen watch you question the content you consume and talk openly about how you evaluate what appears in your feed. When they see you applying critical thinking to your own online experience, it reinforces the idea that thoughtful engagement isn’t just advice for kids, it’s a lifelong skill for everyone.
The TikTok “BOP girls” trend isn’t going away, it’s part of a broader cultural moment where hypersexualization is packaged as empowerment, and peers often become the recruiters. As a parent or caregiver, your most powerful tool isn’t censorship, it’s ongoing, honest conversation.
By helping your child recognize manipulation, question "quick-money" narratives, and value themselves beyond sexualized performance, you're equipping them with real, lasting empowerment.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
References:
4/ https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/blogs/an-unfair-fight-how-algorithms-are-shaping-our-adolescents
