Apparently kids as young as 12 are not just aware of OnlyFans, but they see it as a legitimate career option according to a new study published in the journal Sexuality & Culture. The study focused on adolescents in Spain, including discussions with more than 160 teenagers, to explore the growing concerns about how sexualized media and the normalization of erotic self-presentation are affecting kids today.
The author of the study, Kristel Anciones-Anguita, a PhD candidate at the University of Alcalá, explained: “We were increasingly concerned about the impact of hypersexualized digital culture on adolescents, especially the normalization of platforms like OnlyFans across social media,”
“Although these platforms are legally restricted to adults, minors are not only accessing their content but also integrating it into their everyday cultural and career aspirations. We wanted to explore how this exposure affects their psychosocial development, gender perceptions, and views on intimacy and success,” she continued.
All participants in the study (ages ranged from 12 to 16) were from urban and rural areas of Guadalajara, Spain and were asked to describe their understanding of OnlyFans, their media consumption habits, and their attitudes toward sexual content.
The study found that even the youngest students already had an advanced understanding of how OnlyFans works and were able to describe the business model, including how creators make money. It wasn’t just the girls who saw the platform as a possible career choice — the boys also claimed the platform could be a realistic option for them too, though they acknowledged that it was probably more lucrative for women.
As the discussions continued, it was clear that OnlyFans creators using traditional social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter) to promote their accounts was where many students first learned about the subscription-based platform. While some reported seeing ads or posts about OnlyFans, others said they had received direct messages encouraging them to create content or subscribe to accounts. And most admitted that they could access OnlyFans despite the age verification systems designed to prevent it.
“We were struck by how naturally adolescents discussed OnlyFans, demonstrating a clear understanding of its subscription-based model and even sharing techniques to bypass age restrictions,” Anciones-Anguita said in a recent interview. “What was most surprising was how some teens framed self-sexualization as a form of personal choice or empowerment, without fully acknowledging the underlying economic and social pressures that influence such decisions.”
The study suggests that current education and regulatory systems are not able to keep up with how easily accessible sexual content is these days. The authors of the study argue that kids need more than just warnings about online safety. They need a full education that addresses all aspects of today’s sexualized digital culture.
They argue that the education should come from schools and parents, while governments and tech companies should do more to prevent the promotion of sexualized content to minors.
“Constant exposure to sexualized content through social media can significantly shape how adolescents view sexuality, empowerment, and economic opportunity,” Anciones-Anguita said.
“Many teens — especially boys — perceive OnlyFans as a viable path to financial independence, often overlooking associated risks like exploitation, cyberbullying, and long-term psychological consequences. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive digital literacy and affective-sexual education.”