The global sexcam industry is experiencing rapid growth, with a reported 1.3 billion monthly views of webcam platforms as of April 2025. It has become a significant source of income for many in Colombia, which is estimated to have around 400,000 models and 12,000 sexcam studios. However, behind the lucrative image lie deeply troubling practices, especially concerning the recruitment of minors.
Isabella, who began working as a webcam model at 17, shares her harrowing experience of entering the field. She was approached outside her school in Bogotá with a flyer promising financial opportunities and, needing to support her young son, ventured into a poorly maintained studio. The studio's operators ignored the legal age restrictions, with Isabella receiving no formal contract or training prior to performing. Awash in a confusing system that demanded her compliance, she found herself live streaming from her classroom, fulfilling viewer requests while hiding her activities from teachers.
Similar stories emerge from models, who reveal alarming practices such as falsified identification and exploitation through lack of support from studios. Many studios capitalize on the poverty-stricken population, luring young women with promises of easy money, yet exploitative contracts exist that allow studios to take a hefty share of the earnings—often leaving the models with just a fraction of the income.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has condemned the actions of studio owners, labeling them as "slave masters." While leading platforms state they enforce checks to prevent underage performers, evidence suggests that these measures are inadequate, as studios employ deceitful tactics to circumvent regulations.
Keiny, another model, reflects on her experience, stating that, although she began at 17, she feels her involvement has positively impacted her family's finances. Despite her gratitude, she acknowledges that viewers often prefer younger models, raising ethical concerns about the industry's normalization of youth-centric fantasies.
Working conditions can vary significantly, and not all studios prioritize the well-being of their models. Reports indicate instances of models enduring excessive hours and neglect from studio operators. Recent legislation is anticipated to bring forth more stringent regulations aimed at protecting performers, but significant challenges remain.
Isabella's exit from the industry was spurred by her traumatic experiences, leading her and fellow former employees to take legal action against their exploitative studio. The emotional toll of her involvement continues to linger, compounded by the risk of permanent digital records of her past online. As the industry unfolds in Colombia, it reflects a complex interplay between economic necessity and personal agency, questioning what meaningful reforms might emerge to safeguard vulnerable individuals like Isabella and countless others.
Isabella, who began working as a webcam model at 17, shares her harrowing experience of entering the field. She was approached outside her school in Bogotá with a flyer promising financial opportunities and, needing to support her young son, ventured into a poorly maintained studio. The studio's operators ignored the legal age restrictions, with Isabella receiving no formal contract or training prior to performing. Awash in a confusing system that demanded her compliance, she found herself live streaming from her classroom, fulfilling viewer requests while hiding her activities from teachers.
Similar stories emerge from models, who reveal alarming practices such as falsified identification and exploitation through lack of support from studios. Many studios capitalize on the poverty-stricken population, luring young women with promises of easy money, yet exploitative contracts exist that allow studios to take a hefty share of the earnings—often leaving the models with just a fraction of the income.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has condemned the actions of studio owners, labeling them as "slave masters." While leading platforms state they enforce checks to prevent underage performers, evidence suggests that these measures are inadequate, as studios employ deceitful tactics to circumvent regulations.
Keiny, another model, reflects on her experience, stating that, although she began at 17, she feels her involvement has positively impacted her family's finances. Despite her gratitude, she acknowledges that viewers often prefer younger models, raising ethical concerns about the industry's normalization of youth-centric fantasies.
Working conditions can vary significantly, and not all studios prioritize the well-being of their models. Reports indicate instances of models enduring excessive hours and neglect from studio operators. Recent legislation is anticipated to bring forth more stringent regulations aimed at protecting performers, but significant challenges remain.
Isabella's exit from the industry was spurred by her traumatic experiences, leading her and fellow former employees to take legal action against their exploitative studio. The emotional toll of her involvement continues to linger, compounded by the risk of permanent digital records of her past online. As the industry unfolds in Colombia, it reflects a complex interplay between economic necessity and personal agency, questioning what meaningful reforms might emerge to safeguard vulnerable individuals like Isabella and countless others.
