Activity sectors Sex industry | Related jobs | |
Competencies Physical attractiveness, theatrics, high libido or hypersexuality | ||
A webcam model, also known as a camgirl for females and camboy for males, is a model who performs on the Internet through live webcam footage. A webcam model often performs sexual services in exchange for money, goods, or attention.
Individuals in this profession often charge a fixed fee per minute, however many encourage viewers to purchase items on online wish lists or to add money to online accounts. They may also earn money through advertising or earn commission by convincing customers to sign up for membership at adult pornographic paysites. Commissions earned by camgirls vary widely by paysite, but are typically in the form of a flat fee, sometimes known as a "bounty", or based on a percentage of gross sales for every customer who signs up to a site.
The term "camwhore" was first used in print in November 2001, but may have originated in Australia as early as 1999. The label "cam whore" is usually considered derogatory and insulting.
A New York Times report described the story of Justin Berry, a 13-year-old boy who, after hooking up his webcam and listing himself on an online forum in order to make friends, was propositioned by older men to strip and masturbate on camera. CNN referred to him as "in the language of cyberspace... a cam-whore". He started his own paysite, prostituted himself, sold video recordings of his encounters with Mexican prostitutes, and helped hire other underage models. He made several hundred thousand dollars over five years before turning all information over to prosecutors in exchange for immunity.
A 19-year-old Oregon State University student, Kendra Sunderland, dropped out of school after being caught recording a live solo-sex show in her school's library in October 2014. She was then charged with public indecency after the show that was originally made for MyFreeCams.com was posted on other sites. She faced fines up to $6,250 and one year of jail. She pleaded guilty and paid $1,000, avoiding jail. Sunderland said she earned about $700 for the library show. The incident greatly increased Sunderland's popularity, and she has continued to webcam and speak positively of it as a career.
In some cases, sex traffickers who operate illegal brothels have also forced indentured victims to have sex in cam shows.