A camgirl is a woman who broadcasts herself over the internet in exchange for money. This can be done either on an individual basis, through her own webcam, or for a number of different broadcast platforms. Camgirls also have the option to work with clients by appointment, allowing them to spend time with one client at a time in private.
Most cam girls are paid for their performances by men. This payment is usually done via a virtual currency called tokens. A camgirl’s earnings depend on the amount of tokens she receives from her viewers. These tokens can be redeemed for additional services or used to buy gifts for the model. Some models also offer extra sexy content for extra tokens.
For many camgirls, the largest chunk of their profits comes from whales, men who are willing to tip big amounts. To keep their whales happy, camgirls use a range of ego-stroking tactics. They may start off the chat by praising the member and telling them how special they are to them. They might also engage in playful banter to make the man feel comfortable and at ease in their company.
Moreover, they may use sexually explicit language to encourage the man to continue sending her large sums of money. They might also offer to perform a certain amount of sex, depending on the size of the tip that the man gives them.
While many camgirls consider themselves to be a form of artistry, the industry is often considered a form of exploitation. The sex-related material that is broadcast on cam is considered a type of pornography, and the act of being a camgirl is often considered to be a form of remunerated exhibitionism. This phenomenon has been normalised to the point where a cam girl is described as a ‘naughty Instagram’ or a ‘remunerated exhibitionist’ in numerous articles and blogs.
For most camgirls, the desire to work as a camgirl is a result of unassuaged desires and an inability to find traditional employment. This is a prevailing narrative that can be seen on websites free from any sexual references as well as on websites that promote the possibility of working from home as a cam girl.
The sexcamming market is highly complex. Its symbolic construction requires the negation of its economic nature (Bourdieu 1995; Jourdain 2010) and signals of non-professionalism, which are prevalent on Twitter and in the camgirl blogs and broadcast platforms.
A sex cam girl’s reputation is critical to her success. Consequently, it is important for her to have a strong social media presence in order to maintain her image and her position within the industry. However, the camgirls must be careful not to overstep boundaries and incite their viewers into committing acts of online pedophilia or cyberstalking. This can be difficult, particularly if the models have multiple accounts on various broadcast platforms or websites and if they use their real name in public. In addition, sexcammers should avoid accepting PayPal payments as this can be easily abused by members who try to scam them.