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Paper Short Abstract:

Social media challenges the silence surrounding sexual education in Egypt. Online initiatives address a variety of issues. The paper aims to explore those dynamics through qualitative methods. Challenges and opportunities arise from the author's involvement and ethical considerations.

Paper Abstract:

Absent from schools and considered taboo within families and society, sexual education has traditionally been viewed as innate and instinctive. However, with the rise of social media as an educational platform, a new space has emerged to challenge this silence, allowing online initiatives to fill the void. Influencers, bloggers, and even medical professionals have taken the lead in discussing topics considered taboo in conventional social spaces. Social media not only serves as a medium for transmitting information but also plays a significant role in sexual socialization. These initiatives, primarily led by women, have become essential sources of Arabic sex literacy. In some cases, individuals seek help and advice through anonymous confessions on pages or groups considered safe spaces. These platforms serve a wide range of purposes, from reporting sexual violence and raising awareness to providing sex education and promoting sexual cosmetic surgeries. Alongside traditional and religious norms, a new discourse on sexual and reproductive health and rights is emerging. These diverse ideas coexist and interact on social media, reflecting the evolving dynamics of contemporary Egypt. The objective of this paper is to examine, through ethnographic immersion and reflexivity, how these virtual social spaces function. Qualitative methods such as participant observation, interviews, and textual analysis can provide a comprehensive description and explanation of these interactions. Nevertheless, my presence as an Egyptian woman, and my prior involvement in these virtual spaces and groups discussing sexuality presents challenges and opportunities in terms of accessing field sites, analyzing ethnographic data, and research ethics.