The Challenges of Webcam Modeling for Young Women in Colombia

A young woman from Colombia, Keni, now 20, shares her experience of being recruited into webcam modeling at 17, highlighting the challenges and ethical issues in the industry. Her story sheds light on the recruitment practices, working conditions, and lack of oversight that can affect vulnerable young women.

The Recruitment Process

At 17, Isabella (a pseudonym), a young mother in Bogotá, was approached with a flyer promising earnings through modeling. Desperate to support her two-year-old child, she visited the advertised studio, which operated out of a house with rooms designed for webcam performances. The studio hired her despite Colombia’s legal age requirement of 18 for such work, and she began streaming the next day without a formal contract or training.

Studio Operations

Webcam studios in Colombia vary from small setups to large operations with equipped rooms featuring cameras, lights, and internet access. Performers stream content to global audiences, who can make requests through intermediaries called monitors. According to Fenalweb, Colombia has around 400,000 webcam models and 12,000 studios, making it a significant hub for the industry. Many young women, often from low-income backgrounds, are drawn to the industry due to limited resources or privacy at home.

Streaming from School

Isabella was encouraged by the studio to stream from her school. During classes, she would secretly use her phone to record content, sometimes excusing herself to the bathroom to fulfill viewer requests. She justified her actions as a means to provide for her son, highlighting the financial pressures that drive such decisions.

Age Verification Challenges

Some studios reportedly bypass age restrictions by using fake IDs or recycled accounts of former models. Isabella and Keni both worked underage using such methods, appearing on platforms like Chaturbate, Stripchat, and BongaCams. These platforms claim to have strict age verification processes, including live photo submissions and third-party ID checks, to prevent underage participation. However, gaps in enforcement allow some studios to exploit these systems.

Working Conditions and Exploitation

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has criticized studio owners for exploiting young women with promises of high earnings. While some studios, like AJ Studios, provide support such as psychological services or spa rewards, many impose harsh conditions. Models report long streaming hours, sometimes up to 18 hours without breaks, and face fines for taking time to eat or rest. A 2024 Human Rights Watch report documented cases of models working in poor conditions and being pressured into uncomfortable performances.

Earnings and Financial Deception

Earnings are often split, with platforms taking 50%, studios 20-30%, and models receiving the rest. In some cases, models earn as little as $5 for an eight-hour shift due to low viewership. Isabella, for example, received only $42 after two months of work, far less than promised, leaving her feeling cheated by the studio.

Personal Stories and Impact

Keni, now streaming from her bedroom in Medellín, earns about $2,000 monthly, significantly more than Colombia’s $300 minimum wage. She supports her family but acknowledges the ethical concerns of catering to viewers who prefer younger-looking performers. Another model, Sofi, a 26-year-old mother, faced pressure to perform unwanted acts to avoid account suspension. She continues in the industry to support her children while saving for a law degree.

Global Context and Oversight

The issues extend beyond Colombia, with studios operating in countries like Romania, India, and the US. Weak platform policies and lack of direct oversight contribute to these challenges. While platforms like BongaCams, Chaturbate, and Stripchat emphasize their commitment to safe working environments, they often rely on studios to enforce conditions, creating gaps in accountability.

Aftermath and Advocacy

Isabella left the industry after a few months, citing psychological trauma. She and six others filed a complaint against their studio for exploiting minors and financial abuse. Her experience underscores the lasting impact of such work, with some of her videos still online, leaving her feeling powerless.

Conclusion

The webcam modeling industry in Colombia offers economic opportunities but often at a significant personal cost, particularly for young women. Addressing these challenges requires stronger regulations, better platform oversight, and support for vulnerable individuals to ensure ethical practices and fair treatment.