Today I read some articles from people who think about camming as a kind of online sex work, which is fair I guess, and how the ethics of sex work relate when we are online only. It is a serious topic and I’m not going to pretend to be some super academic who knows all about the ethics and social implications of being a camgirl. But I am a camgirl, and I have been doing it mostly happily for a lot of years so I can at least give you one real perspective, that’s mine.

This is my lived experience as a camgirl, and it won’t match every other broadcasting model out there but I presume I overlap with other girls in how I deal with it, and as someone who is (a bit) older (!) I’ve got some perspective on it that I know I didn’t have when I started.

Why read this? Maybe you are a newbie considering broadcasting, or someone just curious about the girls and viewers and how they think and react to each other, without crossing boundaries.

Either way, this is a little peek behind the curtain.

See if you want to join me !

Exploitation and Financial Harm

First things first, let’s talk about exploitation. This is how a lot of people first come at the whole topic, as an example of exploitative behavior towards women.

I’m not going to lie and say that doesn’t exist, because it certainly does, but then exploitation happens in a lot of industries. Does it happen more in the online sex industry? I’d say less than the offline sex industry, but still more than in many parts of society. The very fact that ti is variable though means it isn’t an inherent part of the sex business.

The common connection though does mean we have to be extra aware and cautious to not fall into the trap of accepting it as automatic.

And, as someone in front of the cam, I’m aware that there is potential for exploitation on both sides of the camera.

I’ve encountered clients who admitted to spending all their money on cam sessions, which can be harmful to their well-being. I’ve seen extreme cases, where a man’s obsession with a cam girl led to spending all his savings, so he died broke. His surviving family were not at all happy and sued the cam company trying to get the money back!

That didn’t work of course, but remember that for every cam girl hustling a customer and taking all his cash, there is also a cam girl hustling her ass and ending up with nothing to speak of due to the cut from studios and cam sites, and scamming “customers” getting things for free.

As a camgirl, I have a moral responsibility to watch out for these signs and act with compassion. When I notice a client going overboard, I will ask them to turn it down a bit, and if they can’t or won’t then I’ll block them. It’s not just about protecting ourselves; it’s about looking out for each other.

I think about it like the barman who won’t serve another shot to the drinker who obviously has had too much and will not be able to drive home safely. That barman is a person and isn’t just a vending machine, he can make a common sense judgment and forgo the sale to be a decent human.

Camgirls need to do the same thing, and while it is a little harder for us to know what is happening because unlike the barman we can’t see the inebriated customer in the flesh, we can be aware of the problem and just use common sense.

Privacy and Consent in the Digital Age

Has the world given up on privacy in this digital age? 20 years ago there was a lot of talk about fighting back against Big Brother, CCTV and continual surveillance. Facebook and other social media claimed that privacy was a thing of the past, and today with they seem to have won.

Nobody talks about privacy much anymore, and that is a mistake because when it comes to your personal life there are very valid reasons for staying private.

What we like sexually is our own business, as long as it doesn’t hurt someone else then what we do in our own bedrooms is our business, not theirs. Yet when we open up our private spaces via the technology of the internet, and particularly with video, then suddenly we have to take care to not cross the lines.

What line? Where is that line? It depends on you of course but for most people they don’t want those around them in society who might not be accepting to know what sexual things they are doing, whether that is masturbating while being online, or paying online camgirls to masturbate themselves.

Everything on the internet is potentially public, but if we take care the chance of anybody seeing things you don’t want seen is vanishingly small.

Here’s how you can maintain that line:

I wrote these steps as regards using CB but they apply to most sites. That is for viewers, for camgirls and broadcasters it is a bit harder.

Firstly you can’t just show yourself in public without being aware of the law. Either you handle it yourself, or more likely, the camsite you are working with has a team of lawyers who make sure that the “rules” of the site make sure that everybody is within the law.

That is a lot harder than it sounds though, laws vary across geographies be it states or countries. While the internet, and cam sites, are generally global.

Then, a lot of laws are kind of vague. They’ll say sex is ok but “obscenity” is not, and without defining what is obscene you have some grey areas. That is why many sites ban fisting, but not all, and piss sex is ok on cam in certain places but not in others.

To protect yourself, always be cautious about what you share and with whom. Use aliases, avoid sharing personal details, and if you are a camgirl consider watermarking your content if the camsite will allow it.

Remember, once something is out there, it’s tough to control who sees it.

Societal Stigma and Double Standards

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: societal stigma. When I decided to pursue camming full-time, I knew that I would face negative reactions from friends and family even though it was a perfectly safe thing to do.

The stigma surrounding anything to do with sex is real and often driven by hypocrisy. The idea that “paying for it” makes sex sullied, which is strangely not considered true of any of the other basic human needs.

Nobody says that the chef in a restaurant is demeaning the act of feeding people by doing it for money, nor is the teacher or doctor criticized for their roles in providing for people’s needs.

Yet if you provide sexual entertainment, relief or a chance for expression then you get criticized not just for doing it, but doubly so for doing it for money.

But here’s the thing: sex work is known as “the oldest profession” precisely because it fills a real need in human society. And it’s not going anywhere. We need to challenge these double standards and advocate for a more accepting and understanding society.

At the same time, there is no reason why an individual should sacrifice their safety, either physical or mental, and it is perfectly reasonable to just keep quiet about it. That is what most camgirls do, and who can blame us? While the world is unfair we need to keep our heads down.

Empowerment and Agency

At the same time, despite these challenges, camming can be incredibly empowering and have a positive influence on both the broadcaster and the viewer. These are strong enough that we really need to work around, or past, the outdated societal barriers.

As a camgirl I love the control I have over my work, schedule, and interactions with fans. It’s a stark contrast to the constraints and stress of my previous jobs in IT!

When I am online I can be as active or as passive as I like, I can be sexual or just relaxed. My kinks or interests become a feature, not a bug, and I get to connect with others on an intimate level.

Barriers are down mentally and we can really engage if we choose to do so.

At the same time while mental barriers are down the physical barriers of not being in the same geographic space makes the whole thing a lot safer (though beware doxxing and leaks as noted above).

For new girls, remember that you have the power to set your boundaries and create an environment that makes you feel safe and in control. The number one advice I give to new camgirls is to not be afraid to say no, and always put your comfort and well-being first.

The Need for Community and Support

Community and support are vital in this industry. I’ve seen competitiveness and reluctance to share information within certain online communities, but I believe in a culture of abundance and mutual support. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing can lead to greater empowerment, financial success, and positive social change within the industry.

If you are a new camgirl, don’t hesitate to reach out to other camgirls for advice and support. We’re all in this together, and a rising tide lifts all boats.

On the other hand new cam viewers get a lot less support. There is always a financial incentive to get you to spend and become enthralled by the hot camgirls you can find.

Forums and support groups for viewers are few and far between, and tend to just focus on “where is that girl” rather than how to enjoy cam viewing as a hobby.

Mental Health and Well-being

Lastly, let’s talk about mental health and well-being. Camming can be a potential source of empowerment and healing, particularly for those who have experienced sexual trauma.

This is true for both broadcaster and viewer.

Being able explore, safely and at a distance, things that interest you but may be hard to deal with has a lot of potential. Knowing that you can explore your interests, see where you are limits are, and simply switch off if you are not comfortable is very powerful.

Setting boundaries, seeking support, and prioritizing self-care are crucial. Remember, it’s okay to take breaks, and it’s essential to have a life outside of camming. Your mental health is just as important as your physical safety.

Guides for ethical camming

For Camgirls

Lets boil it down to the essentials, what are the key ethical considerations for camgirls? Here they are:

  • Consent: Always ensure that everything you do is consensual. This applies to both you and your viewers.
  • Boundaries: Set clear boundaries and stick to them. It’s important to respect your own limits and those of your viewers.
  • Honesty: Be honest about what you’re comfortable with and what you’re not.
  • Transparency: Be transparent about your rules, expectations, and limits. Make sure your viewers understand what they can and cannot expect from your shows.

Have fun, and make a living, but don’t cheat anybody. It’s a game, don’t let them take it too seriously (and you shouldn’t either).

For Cam viewers

  • Remember it is a hobby, not life and it’s important to treat it as such.
  • Respect: Always respect the camgirls you interact with. They are real people with feelings and boundaries, just like you.
  • Be reasonable: They are there to make a living, don’t begrudge that
  • Safety for yourself, and for them, is paramount. Never share personal information that could lead to your or their physical harm. Additionally, be mindful of the emotional impact your interactions may have on both parties.

Have fun (see, that’s for both of us), don’t spend more than you can afford, respect and enjoy. Go out and touch the grass sometimes.

Final Thoughts

Being a camgirl or watching camgirls is a complex and nuanced journey, filled with both challenges and rewards. It’s essential to approach it with awareness, compassion, and a strong sense of self. If you’re considering this path or just starting, I hope these insights help you navigate the industry with confidence and care.

If you have any questions or just want to chat, leave a comment below or go find me in one of my live rooms if you can.

Stay safe, and have fun!