Irish teenagers are posting on OnlyFans as an ‘easy’ way to make money, a children’s charity has warned.
The ISPCC says Childline receives 10 calls a year from under-18s using the adult content creation site.
The charity told The Sunday Times yesterday the actual figure is likely much higher.
ISPCC spokesperson Fiona Jennings told Newstalk Breakfast there are many reasons why young people could turn to the adult subscription site.
“It is very few that we’ve had contact with in the last couple of months or so in relation to this,” she said.
“How they’re presenting is, they might be annoyed with their parents [and] they don’t have enough money themselves to buy whatever goods they’re looking for.
“So they’re telling us then they’re seeing other ways that are perhaps easier to get the money that they’re looking for, for these particular things”.
‘Emerging trends’
Ms Jennings said she has “no doubt” that the number of Irish teenagers using OnlyFans is higher than what has been reported to the ISPCC.
“Part of what we do with the helpline is offer support and a listening ear to children and young people,” she said.
“Another part of it as well is that we try to monitor these emerging trends – and I suppose sometimes we’re often the first people to hear about the different apps that children and young people are using.
“They are only a tiny few that are coming to us”.
A man using a smartphone with notifications, 107-12. Image: Jorge Pérez / AlamyMs Jennings said there is little to stop children signing up to the app – even though it is marketed to adults.
“If you go to the app store and you’re looking to download it it will have a 17+ age on it,” she said.
“But the age is a self-verification – so it’s basically tick the box to say that you’re over the particular age.
“When we do see something that is 17+ already that’s indicative that it’ll be adult content… and it won’t necessarily have the safeguard in place for children and young people”.
Ms Jennings said research from the Inhope Association of Internet Hotlines shows that OnlyFans is an app “that can lure children and young people in to create this type of content”.
She added that while OnlyFans has certain safeguards in place “children are able to bypass them quite easily”.
Ms Jennings encouraged parents to talk to young people so they can understand what is drawing them into these sites and apps.
Anyone affected by issues raised in this article can contact Childline on 1800 66 66 66 or Teenline at 1800 833 634
Main image: An OnlyFans logo displayed on a smartphone. Image: Pavlo Gonchar / SOPA Images/Sipa USA
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