"For some, this even leads to a complete avoidance of sex"
Research has found that social media is increasingly damaging sexual confidence among Brits.
Numan conducted a Censuswide survey of 2,000 UK adults and it found that 60% feel insecure during sex. If reflected nationality, it equates to approximately 32 million people.
For many, these insecurities stem from social media comparisons, celebrity imagery, and unrealistic online body standards.
One in four adults said they feel insecure every time they are intimate, potentially affecting around 12 to 13 million people across the UK.
Among younger adults, the problem is more acute, with 42% of 18 to 24-year-olds reporting constant insecurity linked to online influences.
Overall, 80% of people aged 18 to 34 say social media directly affects how they feel about their bodies during sex.
This includes 79% of those aged 18 to 24 and 82% of those aged 25 to 34, suggesting online culture is reshaping sexual self-perception among younger generations.
Licensed sexologist and relationship therapist Sofie Roos, who is also an author at Passionerad, told DESIblitz:
“As social media tends to show us ‘perfect’ bodies, sex lives and relationships all the time, it becomes extremely easy to compare oneself with that, and the risk is extra big for younger adults.”
That comparison, she explained, can gradually undermine sexual self-esteem:
“This comparison with unrealistic ideals then leads to a feeling of not being enough, also in the bedroom, and long-term, this can damage one’s sexual self-esteem, where you start to focus more on how you look during sex than how it actually feels, which is extremely problematic.”
The impact extends beyond young people, with 38% of adults aged 55 and over also reporting insecurity tied to digital body ideals.
While lower than younger cohorts, the figures indicate social media’s influence on sexual confidence spans all age groups.
Roos warned that body-related anxiety can disrupt arousal, intimacy, and enjoyment:
“And the effect of being worried about your body, to experience performance anxiety or overall wonder how you will be seen during intimacy, is that you get a much harder time relaxing, feel lust and fully be in the moment.
“For some, this even leads to a complete avoidance of sex, while for others it makes intimacy feel more like something where you should perform rather than enjoy yourself.”
Women report higher levels of insecurity than men, with 31% saying they have low sexual confidence compared with 16% of men.
Women are also slightly more likely to feel insecure during sex because of social media or celebrity images, challenging assumptions that men are unaffected by appearance-related pressures.
Weight plays a significant role in undermining sexual confidence, with 32% of adults saying their weight actively damages their sex life.
Nearly a quarter of respondents admit to having little or no sexual body confidence, suggesting that insecurity in the bedroom reflects broader struggles with self-image.
These findings align with Numan’s State of Obesity Report 2025, which highlights how weight stigma and social pressure erode self-worth long before people get to the bedroom.
The report found many people feel anxious, self-critical, or undeserving of fulfilling social lives because of their body size, reinforcing how online comparison culture can suppress confidence, intimacy, and overall well-being.
International research has similarly linked heavy social media use to lower sexual desire, arousal difficulties, and reduced satisfaction.
Roos said rebuilding sexual confidence begins with questioning the authenticity of online content and resisting harmful comparison, stating that the “majority of the pictures and stories you hear on socials doesn’t mirror real bodies or the actual sex life of the people”.
She also urged people to take control of their social media feeds to reduce exposure to triggering content.
On a personal level, Roos recommends: “I recommend people to try to switch focus from appearance to the experience.
“Focus on how it feels for both, if you’re safe with each other and can meet on an emotional level, and if you’re in the moment or not.
“That way, you can start communicating about the things that actually matter when talking about being able to have amazing sex!”
Roos said mindfulness and self-exploration can help people reconnect with desire and reduce performance pressure:
“Mindfulness, to discover yourself more during masturbation and sex, and to actively try not think so much about how you perform, will help reconnect to the lust, and over time, your sexual confidence will also start coming back!”
For couples, Roos emphasises honest communication:
“You must throw yourself out there and dare to talk about what feels scary, what you’re worried about, as well as around the pressure and expectations you’re feeling – that can reduce the feelings of shame and anxiety, and rebuild safety.”
Roos highlights: “To slow down, prioritise emotional and physical closeness over ‘perfect’ sex, and to confirm each other in ways beyond your looks are also ways to build back confidence over time!”
For those who continue to struggle, Roos said professional support may be necessary, adding:
“And if you’re giving all this a shot, but still feel you’re coming nowhere, then it’s worth considering taking a few sessions with a sexologist or relationship therapist as they can give you the tools you need based on your situation to get back to a more relaxed and positive relationship to sex!”
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