Why a viral sex trend spreading among teens may be sending the wrong messages about self-pleasure
- #NoNutNovember month-long challenge encourages young men not to masturbate – but experts say it is a normal, healthy, common part of sexual development
- Teaching children healthy sexuality must begin early, sexologist says, and should destigmatise – not demonise – such topics
Many people are familiar with No-Shave November, or Movember. But among young people, there’s a more crassly named internet challenge mocked and memed this month – one that focuses on self-pleasure.
The annual month-long challenge, #NoNutNovember, encourages men, specifically teens, to refrain from masturbation. The trend started around 2011 and transformed into a viral competition of willpower.
Despite its widespread popularity, experts warn the trend can contribute to misinformation about masturbation and stigmatise self-pleasure for teens during a pivotal time in their sexual development.
“If you look at the narrative surrounding No Nut November on social media, it does seem to perpetuate this idea that there’s something wrong with masturbation and that it’s bad for you in some way. And that by abstaining from it, you’re going to reap some benefits,” says Justin Lehmiller, a Kinsey Institute research fellow and host of the Sex and Psychology podcast.