Young Lives at Risk: The Dark Side of Colombia's Sexcam Industry

A rising number of teenage girls in Colombia are lured into the burgeoning sexcam industry, facing exploitation amidst a lack of legal protection. While some find financial independence, many report serious abuse and inadequate safeguards, raising concerns about the industry's impact on young lives.

As Isabella, a former webcam model from Bogotá, stepped out of school one day, she was handed a leaflet proposing an enticing deal: “Do you want to make money with your beauty?” Desperate for financial stability to support her two-year-old son, she accepted the invitation to a local sexcam studio, unaware of the dangerous path that lay ahead. Like many teenagers in Colombia, Isabella, who was just 17 at the time, became an unwitting participant in an industry that primarily targets young women with promises of quick cash.

Colombia is now a focal point in the global sexcam market, with an estimated 400,000 active performers and 12,000 studios. The industry has exploded, boasting monthly views that soared to nearly 1.3 billion in April 2025, as noted by analytics firm Semrush. However, the reality behind the glamour is often grim. Studios operate under questionable legalities, especially where age regulations are concerned, as underage models like Isabella frequently enter the fray without proper scrutiny.

Isabella recounted her experiences to the BBC World Service, emphasizing how she began performing sexual acts live from her classroom using just her smartphone. "I kept thinking, 'It's for my child. I'm doing it for him,'" she explained—a chilling mindset reflecting the pressures faced by many young women in precarious economic situations.

Reports indicate that the exploitation is often systemic. President Gustavo Petro of Colombia referred to the studio owners as "slave masters" manipulating young girls into unsafe employment. While some studios promise to look after their models, others reportedly use deceptive practices. Instances of studios recycling accounts of legal-age performers for underage girls, as well as providing fake IDs, have surfaced, indicating a flagrant disregard for the law and human rights.

Models disclosed the grim reality of earnings; many of them only see a fraction of the revenue generated while studios take a significant cut. Streaming platforms are also implicated, as they often fail to adequately enforce age verification protocols, despite claiming zero tolerance for underage performers.

While there are signs of regulatory action on the horizon, such as potential changes to labor laws, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges. Various models have shared stories of mental and physical abuse within the industry, describing environments that are neither safe nor conducive to healthy work practices. The call for greater oversight and enforcement of existing laws has never been more urgent, as young lives continue to hang in the balance.

Colombian society, already dealing with high rates of poverty, finds itself grappling with the burgeoning sexcam industry and its implications for the youth. The accounts of models like Isabella serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for protective measures that ensure young individuals are not preyed upon in the pursuit of economic relief. The struggles they face illuminate a complex web of vulnerability, exploitation, and the ongoing fight for dignity and safety in their pursuit of income.