Many of you have likely noticed that SVT recently released two series about sugar dating: Köp mina trosor (Buy my panties) and Sugarbabe. Robert Schenck reviewed these SVT series and noted that they reveal the truth about sugar dating—it’s about criminal activity. RealStars emphasizes the importance of the media scrutinizing sugar dating and highlighting the issues of prostitution and the exploitation of women and children. A counter-narrative is needed to challenge the portrayal of sugar dating as something glamorous, consensual, and legal.
SVT recently released two must-watch series about sugar dating, available on SVT Play: the documentary series Köp mina trosor (Buy My Panties) and the drama series Sugarbabe. While distinct in style, both are educational and engaging, making them suitable for both older teens and adults. Most importantly, they reveal the truth about what sugar dating truly entails—concealed, illegal transactions for sexual services.
Sugarbabe
“Sole and Olivia are two 15-year-olds who have just created an account on a sugar dating website, with the idea to trick men for money. They need the cash to travel to the United States and break through as dancers, which is their biggest dream in life. But they quickly get in trouble when they meet a man through the website, who starts threatening them and demands his money back. Sugarbabe is a drama series in the world of dance, touching on friendship, vulnerability and dreaming big.”
I believe teenagers will find it easy to relate to the two main characters in Sugarbabe and its storyline. The girls are enticed by the opportunity to make quick money but soon become ensnared in a complex web, where one of them is sexually exploited. From the outset, they notice that all the men contacting them through the site are interested in buying sex.
The series is divided into nine short episodes (10–15 minutes each), making it highly suitable for various viewing contexts.
Köp mina trosor (Buy My Panties)
“With a hidden camera, reporter Nellie Erberth delves into the world of sugar dating. Köp mina trosor is a series that investigates sugar dating and its associated activities from the inside. What is it? Why has it become a phenomenon? It may involve money and luxury gifts, but what does life in this world look like? Is it a feminist revolution where women exploit men, or just another form of prostitution? Is it simply a well-packaged sex trade? Nellie Erberth immerses herself in the sugar dating world, using herself as a tool.”
Köp mina trosor is a documentary series focused on investigative journalism—specifically, undercover reporting. SVT journalist Nellie Erberth “dives in” by signing up, along with a friend, to a sugar dating platform. Responses pour in quickly. The meetings they arrange with men soon make it clear: these encounters are not about casual restaurant dates but are instead centered on the exchange of “sexual services” for money or other benefits.
The series has a brisk, youthful pace. Thankfully, viewers are spared the standard documentary interviews featuring dating site representatives spinning falsehoods.
The show unequivocally exposes sugar dating as covert prostitution. From a RealStars perspective, this is unsurprising. Given the grave consequences young people may face if lured into this world, I hope the documentary garners widespread attention.
Feel free to listen to a short interview with Erberth on SR P4 Malmöhus.
Watch “Köp mina trosor” and “Sugarbabe” on the websites below:
https://www.svtplay.se/kop-mina-trosor
https://www.svtplay.se/sugarbabe
Robert Schenck