Whether a cam girl is a professional performer at a studio or a regular in her own home, she operates under a simple yet profound ethos. She is a source of light in a world that can feel overwhelmingly dark, offering an alternative to the pain and isolation of life by drawing viewers into her virtual realms of beauty, connection and growth.
Katlyn Carter first became a cam model in 2014 after responding to an online ad posted by a fetish modeling studio in Van Nuys, California. She and other models streamed live sex shows that viewers could watch for free, or pay virtual tokens (an online currency designed to get around financial institution regulations on the purchase of adult content) in exchange for a private show away from other viewers.
Cam girls work with a variety of props and sex toys to create different experiences for their audiences, which are largely men who buy token packages and chat in public or private rooms. Most of the money that cam girls make comes from selling these tokens, although they also receive a share of the tips that fans leave for them. The perks include a flexible schedule and a sense of independence that many women crave.
But the business is not without its challenges. In addition to the financial pressures of a low-wage job, some cam models face physical, sexual and emotional abuse, including threats and harassment. The most common form of sexual harassment is verbal assault in the private chat rooms, where viewers often send insulting messages or even physically harass the models by kicking them out of their rooms.
The physical aspect of the job can be especially dangerous for female performers, who are prone to assault and rape. A study by the Pew Research Center found that 25% of young women have been sexually harassed and 26% have been stalked online, with women bearing the brunt of the aggression. For some cam girls, the abuse is so severe that they quit their jobs and are forced to hide behind a pseudonym or change their appearance.
While cam girls are encouraged to engage in kinky sex talk with their viewers during group shows, Night says most shy fans prefer to privately discuss their kinks and fetishes. They might be worried about being made fun of on the main channel, or they may simply dislike public dirty talk. In these cases, it’s important for cam girls to remember that there is a fourth wall between them and their audience, and that it isn’t necessarily their responsibility to break that wall down.
As an online sex entrepreneur, Night understands the importance of being transparent and open with her viewers. She wants to be sure her viewers know exactly what they are getting into, which is why she outlines the sex toys and props used in her room before a show begins. She also lets them know she has a strict no-refund policy in case they are uncomfortable with an experience.