Underage Models in Colombia’s Sexcam Industry: A Hidden Crisis

Mon Oct 20 2025 09:51:30 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Young women share their harrowing experiences within Colombia's booming sexcam industry, highlighting the exploitation they faced as minors.

This article explores the troubling realities faced by underage webcam models in Colombia, who are often recruited from schools and coaxed by the promise of easy financial gain. Despite stringent laws designed to protect minors, many young women like Isabella and Keiny report exploitative practices in the rapidly expanding sexcam industry, raising concerns about safety, financial exploitation, and mental health.

The sexcam industry in Colombia is drawing increasing scrutiny as young women recount their experiences of recruitment and exploitation. Isabella, who began her career in webcam modeling at the age of 17 while still in school, describes a disturbing encounter where a leaflet handed to her at school invited her to make money from her beauty. Desperate to support her two-year-old son, she visited a local sexcam studio—an establishment that operates in a shabby area—where she was immediately thrust into a world of streaming explicit content without any training or understanding of her rights.

Isabella's revelations are mirrored by others in the industry, such as Keiny, who began working at 17 after her parents' divorce. She initially viewed modeling as a means to escape her family's financial struggles, despite recognizing the troubling demand for youthful appearances in the industry. The sexcam sector is gaining traction globally, with reports indicating Colombia now boasts the largest number of models—over 400,000.

While some studios claim to offer better conditions for models, many are said to employ unethical practices to keep production running, often leaving performers with a meager share of earnings after hefty cuts by platforms and studios. As Colombia's President Gustavo Petro condemned the practices of studio owners, calling them "slave masters," adult entertainment platforms have responded by affirming their commitment to age verification. However, reports suggest that these checks can be easily manipulated, allowing underage girls to work under recycled identities.

The exploitation does not end at financial manipulation. Models have been forced into uncomfortable or degrading performances under duress, with allegations of coercion surfacing in various studios. Isabella's experience came with significant emotional distress, leading her to withdraw from modeling after a brief period. As she and other affected models pursue legal action against exploitative studios, their case highlights the urgent need for regulatory reform in Colombia's sex industry.

Personal accounts like Sofi's, who reluctantly undertook degrading acts for financial survival, reveal the high cost of entering the sexcam industry. Amidst pressures from viewers and studio intermediaries, many performers feel trapped in a cycle of exploitation. As stakeholders review existing laws and regulations, the stories of these young women are essential to addressing the challenges they face in pursuit of better opportunities.