In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world saw an unprecedented economic downturn, forcing many to seek alternative sources of income. Among these alternatives, digital adult content platforms like OnlyFans, Fansly, ManyVids, and JustForFans emerged as lucrative avenues for struggling individuals. However, what started as a monetisation tool for general content creators has now transformed into a billion-dollar industry dominated by adult content. The growing influence of these platforms, particularly among the youth, poses serious concerns regarding their long-term societal impact.
The dark allure
The rise of OnlyFans: A pandemic boon or bane?
I began researching digital adult content platforms in 2021 after noticing a surge in discussions among my peers. Many of my friends, struggling financially during the pandemic, were considering joining these platforms to earn a side income. While I have always respected individuals for their choices, the increasing number of young adults turning to such platforms due to financial allure made me question the broader implications.
OnlyFans was founded in 2016 as a general content subscription platform, allowing creators to monetise their content directly through fan subscriptions. However, it failed to gain significant traction until adult content creators began using it as a space for exclusive content. During the pandemic, the platform’s popularity skyrocketed as millions sought alternative income streams amid job losses and financial instability. With influencers flaunting extravagant earnings, the temptation for others to follow suit became stronger (Grazia Daily).
The reality of earnings: Not all that glitters is gold
While a select few have made fortunes, the vast majority of content creators on OnlyFans earn significantly less than the headlines suggest. According to Social Rise, the average creator earns around $180 a month—far from the life-changing sums that social media influencers often promote. Despite this, the platform’s most successful figures showcase luxury lifestyles, drawing in more young individuals with the hope of replicating their success.
This financial illusion has led to an explosion of similar platforms, with Fansly, ManyVids, and JustForFans offering alternative spaces for content monetisation. Even elite athletes, including Olympians such as Elise Christie and Jack Laugher, have turned to these platforms to supplement their incomes (National World). Such high-profile endorsements further normalise these platforms as viable career choices.
The mental health toll on content creators
While financial success is heavily marketed, the mental health implications of engaging in digital adult content creation are less discussed. A recent Forbes report highlights the psychological strain experienced by creators, including anxiety, depression, and the loss of privacy. Many face burnout due to the pressure of constant content production, with some reporting deep emotional distress from online harassment and objectification.
Similarly, Deseret News discusses how the platformisation of adult content blurs the line between empowerment and exploitation, with many creators struggling to maintain boundaries between their digital and real lives.
The danger of vulnerable youth being lured in
Beyond the challenges faced by creators, a more troubling concern is how these platforms are shaping the aspirations of young individuals. The pandemic has made youth more vulnerable to risky online sexual trade, as highlighted by an LSE Blog. Social media has played a crucial role in promoting these platforms, often through influencers and content creators who glamorise their earnings and lifestyle.
For instance, the rise of groups like BOP House showcases how influencers actively recruit young audiences into these platforms. Such marketing strategies manipulate impressionable minds into believing that adult content creation is a fast track to fame and fortune, without addressing the associated risks and long-term repercussions.
The role of social media in normalising adult content creation
The omnipresence of OnlyFans and similar platforms on social media cannot be ignored. Influencers often leverage platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter to promote their content and recruit new subscribers or even creators. The visual appeal of wealth and success serves as a powerful motivator, making it increasingly difficult for young audiences to resist the temptation of joining (TEDx).
An academic study, OnlyFans and the Platformization of Sex Work by Di Cicco (2024), further underscores how these platforms are evolving into mainstream income sources. However, this rapid platformisation raises ethical and legal concerns, particularly around the regulation of content and the increasing recruitment of young individuals into digital sex work.
A call for awareness and soft-monitoring
While the existence of such platforms cannot be outright banned, it is imperative that we address their harmful effects, particularly on younger generations. Parents, educators, and policymakers must adopt a proactive approach in educating youth about the realities of digital adult content creation. Soft-monitoring—where guidance is provided without intrusive control—can help prevent young individuals from making uninformed decisions that may have lifelong consequences.
Additionally, social media platforms must take responsibility for how such content is marketed and promoted. Stricter age verification systems and enhanced regulations are necessary to prevent underage individuals from being exposed to explicit content and from being lured into risky online trades.
If we fail to acknowledge the growing influence of these platforms, we risk creating a future where financial desperation and the allure of easy money dictate the career choices of the younger generation. Instead, we must work collectively to provide better opportunities, education, and awareness to ensure that our youth do not fall prey to the dangers of the digital sex trade.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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