Underage Models Reveal the Dark Side of Colombia's Webcam Industry

Young women in Colombia are being lured into the webcam modeling industry, often before they reach legal age, amid widespread abuse and exploitation in a rapidly growing market. Several brave models share their stories, detailing experiences of coercion, fake identities, and minimal pay, while calls for reform intensify.

In Colombia, an invisible web of exploitation is emerging within the booming webcam industry, where underage girls are increasingly being drawn into a world of sexual performances unbeknownst to many. Reports reveal a troubling trend, as many models recount recruitment tactics targeting schoolgirls in the country's towns and cities.

One such story is that of Isabella, who at 17, found herself lured to a webcam modeling studio by an enticing leaflet proclaiming, "Do you want to make money with your beauty?" Faced with financial struggles and the care of her two-year-old son, she felt compelled to explore this unregulated arena in Bogotá. Upon arrival, she discovered a makeshift sexcam studio, where expectations were set high without proper training, clear contracts, or the safeguarding of her rights.

Despite Colombia's legal barriers against hiring models under 18, Isabella began streaming almost immediately, even using her phone to perform acts during school breaks. "I kept thinking, 'It's for my child,'" she shared, revealing her justification for crossing moral and legal lines.

The global demand for webcam content has skyrocketed, with a staggering 1.3 billion monthly views reported in April 2025. With Colombia now hosting approximately 400,000 models and 12,000 studios, it has emerged as a leading hub within this controversial industry. The lure of easy money often overshadows concerns about performers’ safety and well-being, with many struggling financially or living in precarious conditions.

Reporting shows that while some studios provide necessary support and resources, others take advantage of vulnerable individuals. Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized studio operators as “slave owners,” revealing a growing awareness of the exploitation taking place. Models describe instances of emotional and physical coercion, including being forced into painful acts against their will.

As part of a wider exposé, conversations with models reveal alarming practices, such as the use of recycled accounts and falsified identities that facilitate underage exploitation. Isabella, for example, recalls being allowed to perform on major platforms by adopting an older model's identity, illustrating the failures of age verification systems.

Keiny, another young model, echoes similar sentiments, sharing that she began working to support her family after her parents’ divorce. With a complaint lodged against exploitative practices, many in the industry are now advocating for better protections and regulations.

Despite being subject to intense scrutiny, major streaming platforms like BongaCams, Chaturbate, and StripChat maintain that their verification processes uphold legal standards, although models contest the effectiveness of these measures. As the industry's growth shows no signs of slowing down, calls for regulation intensify in an attempt to protect individuals from the dark realities of exploitation.

Isabella’s brief experience in the industry left her emotionally scarred, now facing the challenge of removing compromising videos still circulating online. As a group of former employees takes their fight to state prosecutors, the ongoing battle for justice shines a light on the darker facets of a burgeoning industry, emphasizing the urgent need for reform and protection of the most vulnerable.