Webcam Industry Targets Minors: Young Models Share Disturbing Experiences

Young webcam models in Colombia recount aggressive recruitment tactics targeting schoolgirls, revealing forced performances and exploitation without proper oversight. As the sexcam industry flourishes, legal loopholes allow minors to participate, with many facing degrading conditions.

The webcam modeling industry in Colombia, which has seen rapid growth, has come under fire as young women reveal alarming details about their recruitment and working conditions. Many models report being approached while still in school, lured by promises of easy money to support their families.

Isabella, a 17-year-old mother living in Bogotá, recalls the day a leaflet promising wealth through beauty was pressed into her hands. In dire need of income to support her two-year-old son, she ventured into a local sexcam studio, unaware that employing models under 18 is illegal in Colombia. The unregulated environment soon led her to stream live performances, even resorting to filming in school restrooms at the behest of her viewers.

The sexcam industry has exploded, with Colombia now hosting around 400,000 models and 12,000 studios, according to industry representatives. Yet, while many studios might promise a safe working experience, numerous models have described exploitative practices rife throughout the sector. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has condemned studio owners as “slave masters” who prey on vulnerable young girls.

Despite stringent age verification laws in Europe and the U.S., models reported how studios circumvent these checks by recycling accounts of older performers or providing fake identification. Women like Keiny, now 20, who began camming at 17, reflected on her early experiences, stating, “Some clients ask that you act like an actual child, and that's not okay.” She, like many others, faced pressure but also found the financial rewards significant in supporting her family.

While some studios claim to ensure better working environments, the reality for many is grim. Models often work for hours without breaks, receiving a fraction of what clients pay—a phenomenon highlighted by a report from Human Rights Watch detailing exploitation and abusive practices in poorly maintained studios.

Sofia, another model who spoke out, described dire situations where she felt coerced into performing acts that went against her will, raising questions about the industry's ethics. As the demand for content grows, regulatory scrutiny escalates, with activists calling for stricter enforcement of labor laws to protect young and vulnerable workers.

The years-long battle over regulations in the sexcam industry continues, leaving many still wary of their treatment in an unregulated market. With legal reviews pending, these young women remain hopeful for reforms that will establish a safer environment for all performers.