The rising cost of living is pushing more young people to post sexual content on sites like OnlyFans as a second job, according to the English Collective of Prostitutes. The campaign group reports a third increase in calls from people turning to sex work to cover bills, with prices rising at their highest rate in 40 years.
Alexia, a 20-year-old office worker, earns over £3,000 a month from four sites including OnlyFans. She says the extra income helps pay unexpected bills, like a £400 council tax charge. Without it, she would still be living with her mother. However, she warns of the demanding nature of the work, spending up to 17 hours a day on her phone.
The English Collective of Prostitutes warns that posting explicit content can lead to long hours, abuse, and stalking. Laura Watson from the group says women are being pushed to show identifying features, making them more vulnerable. She notes calls have increased as people become more desperate due to the cost of living.
Blake, 23, earns about £1,000 a month from content sites, matching his main job. He says the extra income has prevented him from falling into depression and allowed him to avoid living with his parents. OnlyFans states it has paid $8bn to creators since 2016 and emphasises its commitment to safety.
