“I got bullied a lot when I was young and didn’t have a very positive view of myself sexually,” says a male user of popular adult camsite LiveJasmin.
“I know models are paid to be nice, I’m not an idiot,” he adds. But hearing the same compliments over and over made them easier to believe. “Combine that with the sexual attention and it’s been a big boost to my self confidence.” That boost, he explains, has carried over into his offline life, leaving him far more satisfied.
These statements from a Kinsey Institute study underscore how adult camsites provide more than erotic entertainment. For some men, repeated interactions with cam models exposed them to body diversity and created supportive spaces that improved their body comfort. In a culture dominated by rigid beauty standards and narrow ideals of masculinity, such experiences may offer an unexpected avenue for affirmation and personal growth.
What shapes men’s body image?
In Western culture, negative body image is so prevalent that it’s considered the norm, a concept known as “normative discontent.”
Though often linked to women, it also affects men. In fact, a 2020 study found that 27% to 36% of U.S. men are unhappy with at least one part of their body.
Men with negative body image are also more likely to experience low self-esteem, reduced quality of life, and have a higher risk of depression, eating disorders, and steroid use. Their concerns often center on muscle size, height, and penis size.
Cultural ideals of masculinity play a big role, especially when reinforced by media portrayals and partner feedback.
Regular porn use, for instance, is linked to lower body satisfaction in men, driven by comparisons to idealized bodies. In contrast, frequent sexual activity and positive partner experiences tend to boost body image, while criticism from partners is tied to greater dissatisfaction and disordered eating.
What about camsites?
Adult camsites introduce a unique dynamic. Unlike traditional porn, they allow real-time interaction with performers, where users can request specific acts. In private “cam2cam” sessions, clients can also turn on their own cameras and reveal their bodies. Adding another layer, research shows clients often develop emotional connections with performers.
To explore whether camsites affect men’s body comfort, researchers surveyed more than 5,000 LiveJasmin users about their habits and body perceptions.
Their average age was 41 years. Most were heterosexual, cisgender men identifying as White. On average, they spent 23 hours on LiveJasmin in the past month. Over half had used the site for five or more years, and more than two-thirds had participated in over 20 one-on-one sessions.
Finding body comfort on LiveJasmin
Nearly one in five said they felt more comfortable with their bodies since using LiveJasmin.
Of them, 44% gave responses explaining why. They reported feeling less self-conscious about weight, aging, and genital appearance—including insecurity over size or the loss of testicles from cancer.
Positive responses from models
About a quarter said models’ responses boosted their body comfort, making them the strongest influence. Many noted that repeated compliments and positive feedback improved their self-perception, even if they knew it was part of the models’ job. Not receiving negative feedback or judgment also contributed to a better sense of self.
Both verbal and nonverbal reactions, such as facial expressions and body language, were key factors.
“As an active young man, I frequently suffer from body dysmorphia, and so it can be hard to realise how far I’ve come in my own journey; seeing how women have enjoyed looking at my body has helped me significantly,” wrote one participant.
For some, body comfort came from models focusing on personality rather than appearance. One participant shared that emotional connections made them feel desirable despite not seeing themselves as conventionally attractive.
Physical self-exposure and cam2cam
A fifth pointed to the significance of cam2cam features and revealing their bodies on LiveJasmin. Respondents felt validated when models responded with arousal, such as through mutual masturbation, signaling genuine attraction.
The online setting also made some feel less vulnerable than in-person interactions. Others found that exposing their bodies, particularly aspects they had been insecure about, helped them feel more comfortable.
Perspective shift and body positivity
Notably, 15% reported a shift in perspective, resulting in an epiphany that made them feel less shame and more confident.
Some couldn’t pinpoint why. But others became more accepting of their bodies after letting go of unrealistic beauty standards, with one noting, “Body perfection is mythical.”
Nearly 4% attributed this expanded view to seeing self-assured cam models with diverse bodies.
Talking to models
About 4% highlighted the value of discussing their own bodies, body stereotypes, and even sexual fantasies with models. These conversations provided a space to express thoughts and gain reassurance, making self-acceptance easier.
Altering body or appearance
A small percentage (2%) reported feeling more comfortable with their bodies after changing their appearance, either through clothing or physical changes. Positive feedback from models reinforced these changes.
For example, some wore latex or dressed in ways associated with a different gender. Others focused on fitness or weight loss to achieve a desired look.
“While these responses do not explicitly state that these changes were done or shown on the LiveJasmin site, they indicate that the camming environment can foster a space where clients can comfortably and privately communicate aspects of themselves, perhaps in ways they cannot achieve offline,” wrote Dr. Amanda Gesselman and colleagues.
The power of tech-driven sexual experiences
Rather than fueling insecurity, camsites can encourage body acceptance, self-expression, and confidence.
For men grappling with body image concerns, the affirming nature of platforms like LiveJasmin can be transformative. Positive responses from models, exposure to diverse body types, and the ability to reveal their own bodies in a safe, judgment-free setting all contribute to this shift.
These findings suggest that interactive, tech-driven sexual experiences may offer, for some people, opportunities for self-acceptance and exploration that traditional settings often lack.
Future research should explore how visiting camsites affects diverse identities, including transgender and non-cisgender individuals. Studies should also track changes in body comfort over time and examine whether clients who appear on camera experience different outcomes than those who don’t.
As camsites evolve, they challenge us to rethink how we cultivate body positivity and meaningful connections in the digital age.
