Millions of archived videos and pictures of cam models, streamers, content creators and influencers from around the world can be found on Archivebete. The site is used to search for and watch live cams of girls and women around the world displaying their naked bodies or intimate lives online, in exchange for financial compensation (tokens). Camgirls archives talk about a phenomenon characterized by both the social normalization of this form of work, which has gained in popularity among young women seeking independence, wealth and sexual liberation, as well as the darker side that exploits some women in poor countries.
In the beginning, camming was a way for girls and women to put their daily life on display. Jennifer Kaye Ringley is widely regarded as the first web-based “lifecaster” – or girl who broadcasts her daily activities via live webcam – when she launched JenniCam in 2001. This was a major innovation at the time, because previously only static shots of windows and coffee pots could be transmitted online.
While many of today’s girls and women who broadcast themselves on video chat sites are engaging in more nefarious sexual acts than simply showing their hair, makeup and outfits, it still allows them to have control over how they want to be presented. In addition to offering the possibility of a new kind of intimacy with viewers, it also offers the opportunity to build a community and create their own content.
Some scholars describe camming as part of an international sex economy that exploits some women, especially those from developing countries such as the Philippines, Romania and Colombia. Others point to the subversive aspects of this type of work, arguing that it challenges gender stereotypes and promotes the empowerment of women.
On the flip side, some camgirls have become celebrities and appear on mainstream media shows and websites. This shift in public perception, along with the growing number of sites that cater to erotic or sexy content, is changing the way people perceive female bodies and sexuality.
One of the most popular sites for sexy, nude camgirls is MyFreeCams, where 19-year-old Eevie Lain (“EevieLain” on MFC) talks about her day at university and shares her favorite snacks with her fans online. They tip her via tokens to masturbate with her and to take off more clothes. However, she also has a topic where she simply discusses her university studies, and the tips that come in for this are much lower than those for her explicit sex show.
Kendra Sunderland, another MFC model who works as a student while she is on break from her job at a local coffee shop, describes herself as a “moody sexy” and says that the camgirl business helps to soothe her depression. Sheelu’s job as a sex worker also provides her with the financial stability she needs to care for her daughter. She enjoys talking with her fans and feels that she has a unique connection to them, describing it as the sort of connection that you can’t get from a regular job.