You may not have heard of Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips—but chances are your young people have*. These OnlyFans creators, notorious ‘sexfluencers’, have gained increasing attention recentlty through their well-publicised controversial exploits and sexually explicit content. Featuring across numerous media platforms—from morning TV to TikTok—they openly detail and advertise their pursuits for the world to see. They are building their platforms, multiplying their followers, and ultimately selling their souls to fuel the insatiable algorithm.
Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips are not just individuals making personal choices. They are emblematic of a broader cultural narrative that normalises and even glorifies selling sex as a form of empowerment. Through platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, they promote a view of identity and worth tied to sexual freedom, self-promotion, and the pursuit of fame at any cost. This message is amplified by algorithms that prioritise shocking, sensational, and explicit content—offering these women both viral visibility and lucrative rewards while shaping their audience’s understanding of success and self-worth.
For a generation growing up in a hyper-sexualised, algorithm-driven world, these ideas resonate deeply. Young people are constantly immersed in a digital culture where performance and visibility are equated with value, and the message that “anything goes if it gets you likes” becomes a powerful, if toxic, mantra. It’s not just about Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips. They are the faces of a broader movement that thrives on the commodification of the human body and the fleeting, hollow promise that fame and fortune can deliver lasting happiness.
A Culture That Fuels Brokenness
This narrative tragically distorts the God-given dignity and purpose of what it means to be human. When identity is equated with performance—measured in likes and shares—or worth is tied to visibility, we strip away the inherent, unearned dignity of being made in the image of God. Instead, we replace it with a fragile and fleeting value dependent on public perception.
Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips may seem like influencers on the surface, but their influence is built on cultural brokenness. It normalises destructive behaviours for both creators and their audiences. Creators are trapped in cycles of performance, while consumers are burdened by distorted views of identity, value, and relationships.
Uncomfortable Truths
It’s uncomfortable, isn’t it? Confronting sexual promiscuity, explicit content, and the influence on young people feels challenging, yet it’s a conversation we can’t avoid. As parents, children’s and youth leaders, and church leaders, we’d often prefer to steer the discussion away from topics like this. It feels too embarrassing, too sensitive, and perhaps too far removed from the wholesome, faith-filled lives we want to cultivate. Yet it’s precisely this messy, complex reality our young people are navigating every day.
Ignoring it leaves young people to interpret these issues in isolation. Without guidance from their families and church communities, they will be shaped by the loudest voices on their screens instead of the wisdom of God’s Word. If we choose silence, our children and youth will turn to cultural norms and social media-driven ideals to shape their understanding. They might come to believe that this behaviour is harmless or, even worse, aspirational—especially when fame and wealth are portrayed as the ultimate rewards for such choices.
We must step into the gap, offering a biblically grounded understanding of identity, sexuality, and worth. Only then can we equip young people to reject these distortions and embrace God’s truth.
The Gospel Speaks into This Culture
Of course, the gospel offers a radically different narrative to a world that ties identity and worth to performance and visibility. Scripture teaches that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and has inherent value—not because of what they achieve or how they are perceived, but because of who God is. For young people drowning in a sea of comparison and performance, this truth is a lifeline. They need to know that their worth isn’t earned through likes, followers, or fame but is freely given by a Creator who loves them and sent His Son to redeem them (1 Peter 1:18-19).
For those trapped by cultural lies, the gospel speaks hope. Figures like Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips, like all of us, are image-bearers of God in need of grace. The gospel doesn’t shy away from the seriousness of sin, but it offers forgiveness and restoration to all who turn to Christ. This is the message we must model and teach: to grieve sin with compassion while pointing to the hope of redemption and the transformative power of Christ.
Engaging Young People with the Gospel
Helping young people navigate a hyper-sexualised, performance-driven culture requires intentional conversations rooted in biblical truth. We must meet them where they are, combining compassion with clear teaching that exposes cultural lies and offers the transformative hope of the gospel.
1. Acknowledge the Reality
Young people are likely already aware of cultural figures and the messages that saturate their digital world. Rather than avoiding the topic, gently create opportunities for conversation. You might say:
- “I’ve noticed some influencers getting a lot of attention lately. What kinds of messages do you see being shared online?”
- “What do you think people are learning about identity and worth from the content that’s popular right now?”
These broader, open-ended questions allow young people to share naturally without feeling put on the spot. Listening carefully builds trust, demonstrates that you value their perspectives, and creates space to gently introduce gospel-centred truth into the conversation.
2. Teach a Biblical View of Identity and Worth
Ground your conversations in God’s design for humanity. Teach young people that their identity is rooted in being made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27-28) and redeemed by Christ (1 John 3:1). Passages like Psalm 139:13-16 and Ephesians 2:10 affirm their inherent value and purpose. This truth dismantles the lie that worth is tied to performance or visibility, offering instead the peace and assurance of being loved unconditionally by God.
3. Expose Cultural Lies
Help young people recognise and reject the false promises of the culture by contrasting them with biblical truth:
- Lie #1: “Sexual Freedom Equals Happiness”
True freedom comes from living within the loving boundaries of God’s design (Psalm 119:45). - Lie #2: “Your Worth Is Measured by Sexual Conquests”
Scripture proclaims that our value is found in Christ, who calls us His beloved children (1 John 3:1). - Lie #3: “Sex Is Just a Transaction”
Scripture calls us to honour one another as image-bearers of God, recognising the sacredness of sexual intimacy (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8).
4. Model Grace and Truth
Avoid an “us vs. them” mentality. Encourage young people to grieve the brokenness they see while extending compassion to those trapped in sin. Figures like Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips are not beyond the reach of God’s grace, and neither are those influenced by their message.
5. Equip Them for Discernment
Teach young people to critically evaluate the messages they encounter:
- What does this content celebrate or glorify?
- How does it shape your view of yourself or others?
- What does God’s Word say about this?
Encourage them to focus on what is true, noble, and pure (Philippians 4:8) while recognising how social media manipulates attention and desires. Equip them to engage wisely with the digital world.
The Call of the Gospel
The gospel offers young people clarity, hope, and power in a world of confusion. It reminds them that their identity is secure in Christ, their worth is rooted in His love, and their purpose is to glorify God in all they do.
By stepping into these difficult conversations, we equip the next generation to reject cultural distortions and reflect the light of Christ. Let’s trust in the power of God’s truth and grace to redeem, restore, and transform lives for His glory.
* If you haven’t heard of these women, be cautious in conducting further research. Searching the internet can expose you to explicit and inappropriate content, so proceed with care. Additionally, use wisdom when discussing this topic with young people. While we know many are talking about this phenomenon, others might be unaware, and we should avoid sparking unnecessary curiosity. Approach conversations thoughtfully, focusing on biblical principles and guiding young people to discern wisely without drawing undue attention to harmful influences.
