OnlyFans is a  website for adults where users post photos for other “fans” to view via a paywall.  The site is popular among Instagram influencers, models, and celebrities for making money, but has become a hot spot for pornography and adult entertainers.  Some students are finding ways around the site’s age requirements and are attracted to the opportunity to make money.

 Parent & educator training video

In this SmartSocial.com guide, parents and educators will learn the basics of OnlyFans.

What is OnlyFans?

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• OnlyFans is a subscription website (not an app)
• Users (known as fans) make money by sharing photos or videos with their followers (other Fans) who subscribe
• Fan accounts have diverse interests from media creators trying to monetize their work such as music artists, dancers, food or fashion bloggers, and adult entertainers 
• The site has become very popular and most known for adult entertainment during the COVID-19 quarantine periods
• Some underage students have been attracted to the site for the money-making possibilities

Who owns OnlyFans?

Owned by Fenix International Limited in London.  Created by Timothy Stokely.

Can students use OnlyFans?

• OnlyFans’ Policy says users must be at least 18 years of age 
• Users must complete a photo identification process to confirm age with a photo ID and a matching “selfie” photo  
• Some minors are using fake identification (a friend’s ID or a photoshopped image of an ID) and are being approved for months of access before being reported or caught and shut down by OnlyFans 

How do students access OnlyFans?

• To access paid content users must enter a valid credit or debit card, which may be one potential deterrent for students.  
• However, via YouTube tutorials, students easily find “hacks” for getting OnlyFans content for free off the platform

Where is OnlyFans available?

• OnlyFans is not an app, but rather a website that works on desktops, laptops  and mobile browsers: OnlyFans.com
• OnlyFans warns users about suspicious apps they didn't create:

Any existing mobile applications for OnlyFans are not recommended.  They should be considered suspicious and should be reported to us.  OnlyFans 

Only fans in the News

...OnlyFans, where subscribers...pay models and social media influencers a fee, generally $5 to $20 a month, to view a feed of imagery too racy for Instagram. New York Times

The site, which has boomed in popularity in the past year, is technically open to anyone-from personal trainers to artists and cooks-but it’s best known for one thing: nudes. The Guardian

Why should parents care?

• The most popular users on OnlyFans promote adult entertainment photos not suitable or intended for minors
• As with any photo online, student’s photos can be “stolen” from OnlyFans and can be used with malicious intent in other places
• Fans can interact in live chats with other Fans (all assumed to be adults per the website’s policies)

What can parents do?

• Talk with your student about the dangers of sharing or viewing explicit images online
• Discuss live chat safety tips with your student
• If your student has their own credit or debit card: 
• Set rules for spending money online 
• Monitor their charges- OnlyFans says their charges always include “OnlyFans” or “OF” in the vendor name

Conclusion

 OnlyFans is a website populated by various types of influencers but has quickly become integrated with the adult entertainment industry.  While the website’s policies do not allow minors under 18, kids are finding ways to bypass the rules and view content. Parents should be aware if their students are accessing this website and talk to their kids about appropriate platforms to follow social media influencers.