The contact expectations of Australian sperm donors who connect with recipients via online platforms

While it is difficult to know exactly how often Australian women meet sperm donors online, the growth in online platforms for sperm donors and women to connect suggests the phenomenon is increasing. One reason cited for growth in the practice is that it gives donors the opportunity to develop a relationship with their donor offspring while the children are young. Drawing on qualitative interviews with sperm donors and media coverage of the phenomenon, this chapter considers the experience of donors who meet their recipient online and who have early contact with their offspring. It explores why donors choose to donate outside of the formal clinic environment, their expectations from early contact, and whether these expectations evolve over time. It concludes by considering the implications of increasing informal donation in a country where formal donation is legally regulated.