In Colombia, a troubling trend has emerged where young girls are being recruited into the webcam modeling industry while still in school. Many of these girls, like Isabella, were approached with enticing offers of easy money. Isabella, who was just 17 and struggling to support her two-year-old son, found herself drawn into a sexcam studio after receiving a flyer that asked, "Do you want to make money with your beauty?"
These studios are often set up in run-down neighborhoods and can range from small operations to larger businesses equipped with high-tech cameras and streaming capabilities. Despite the legal age for webcam modeling being 18 in Colombia, studios have been known to employ underage girls. Isabella began working at the studio the day after her initial visit, without any formal contract or understanding of her rights. She recalls being thrown into the job with no training, just handed a camera and told to start streaming.
Isabella’s story is not unique. Many young women are lured into this industry by the promise of financial independence in a country where a significant portion of the population lives in poverty. Colombia is now home to an estimated 400,000 webcam models and about 12,000 studios. With the global demand for webcam content skyrocketing, many of these studios target vulnerable young women, offering them a chance to earn money quickly.
The experience can be harrowing. Models report being pressured to perform sexual acts they may not be comfortable with, sometimes even during school hours. Isabella, for instance, streamed from her classroom, responding to viewer requests while her teacher remained unaware. She felt compelled to continue, telling herself it was for her child.
While some studios are well-managed and provide support, many others exploit their workers. Models often receive only a fraction of the money earned from their performances. The studios take a significant cut, and the major streaming platforms, like Chaturbate and BongaCams, have come under scrutiny for their lax age verification processes. Some studios reportedly recycle accounts of older models to allow underage girls to perform, sidestepping regulations meant to protect minors.
In response to concerns about exploitation, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has labeled studio owners as "slave masters." He has called for stricter regulations to protect young women from being misled into thinking they can easily earn a living in this industry.
Despite the risks, some models, like 20-year-old Keiny, feel grateful for the opportunities. She began working at 17 to help her family after her parents’ divorce. Now, she earns significantly more than the national minimum wage, which is about $300 a month. Keiny acknowledges that viewers prefer models who appear younger, which raises ethical concerns about how the industry operates.
Models have reported extreme working conditions, including being fined for taking breaks during long streaming sessions. Some have even been coerced into performing acts they did not want to do. Sofi, another model, described being pressured into painful performances, with studio staff insisting she comply or risk losing her job.
As the demand for webcam content continues to grow, the situation remains precarious for many young women in Colombia. The industry is watching closely as the government considers new labor laws that could bring tighter regulations and protections for models. Meanwhile, stories like Isabella’s serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by young women seeking financial stability in a difficult economic landscape.