OnlyFans is an adult website where users post content 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 pornographic content, sexual content, live streams, online grooming, and adult content. Some underage students are finding ways around the site’s age requirements and are attracted to the opportunity to be a creator and make money.

Why should parents care?

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

 Parent & educator training video

‍What is OnlyFans?

• OnlyFans is a subscription website (not an app) that works on desktops, laptops  and mobile browsers
• Content creators make money by sharing photos or videos with their followers (Fans) that 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 
• Some underage students have been attracted to this online platform for the money-making possibilities

Is OnlyFans safe for students?

• OnlyFans’ Policy says users must be at least 18 years of age 
• To create an account, a new user 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

Key terms/slang about OnlyFans

• Because most social media platforms will not allow users to blatantly promote an OnlyFans site, it is often abbreviated as “OF” or canned “my OTHER site”
• Influencers often share their Onlyfans URL in the profile of their other social media accounts using vague terms, so be aware of the accounts your children are following online
• The term “Accountant” is sometimes used to describe sex workers on OnlyFans because working as an accountant is considered a boring job and does not encourage follow-up questions (Source: GQ)

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

OnlyFans in the news

The platform hosts everyone from fitness bloggers to musicians, it continues to be a major hub for sex workers. Some of them have found it to be extremely lucrative, providing financial stability for them and their families without dealing with intermediary players -ABC News

OnlyFans allowed both professional and amateur adult entertainers struggling financially to make some money. The platform went from a niche site to a huge movement with millions of users.-The U.S. Sun

Mental Health Consequences of OnlyFans Stardom

Based on the transactional nature of creating sexually explicit material, it is possible that the stigma associated with producing such content seeps into the creators’ everyday lives, isolating them and worsening any symptoms of anxiety and depression. -Psychology Today

How do students access OnlyFans?

• To access paid content, subscribers must enter a valid credit or debit card, which may be one potential deterrent for young people  
• However, via YouTube tutorials, students easily find “hacks” for getting OnlyFans content for free off the platform
• Some prepaid Visa cards can be used in place of a credit card to cover subscription fees (Source: Bark)

Why do Students want an OnlyFans Account?

• Students may hear about OnlyFans at school or from other social media accounts they follow and be curious about what is on the site
• OnlyFans can be an easy way to make money
• Students may appreciate the sense of approval or popularity that the site offers them

Conclusion

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