What is OnlyFans: How it works and what parents need to know

Today, numerous social media platforms operate on a subscription basis, giving creators the opportunity to generate income from their fan base. OnlyFans is one of them. You might be asking: What is OnlyFans? Well! It is also a digital platform that mostly contains adult content, which enables users to have financial gains from the works they create.

In this guide, we are going to provide a thorough explanation of OnlyFans. Additionally, we will talk about how to keep children safe on the internet. So, keep learning!

What is OnlyFans used for?

OnlyFans is a subscription-based platform where content creator can create & share, and their fans subscribe and pay for viewing the exclusive content. Simply put, most of the content is behind a paywall. 

OnlyFans originated in 2016 as a way for content creators and their fans to engage in a monetized relationship. According to the statistics, OnlyFans has over 305 million registered users, and approximately 4.5 million accounts are creators by 2024. In the first month of the last year, onlyfans.com saw approximately one billion monthly website visits from users worldwide. Sadly, over time, this website has gained the infamy of being a place for pornography.

But it is important to note that the platform is content agnostic. Meaning, the platform accepts and hosts a variety of content as long as it adheres to the regulations set forth. So, critters can share all types of content, including music, arts, cooking, etc.

As a user of the platform, you can do a lot. For example, content creators can upload videos and photos, send and receive private and public messages, and even host livestreams.

Why does OnlyFans stand out?

Maybe you’re asking yourself how OnlyFans compares with TikTok and Instagram. Well! The latter two allow creators to get paid through some form of advertising. Put simply, they ran ads and the business made money through advertising revenue.  

That is not the case with OnlyFans. Here, fans pay OnlyFans creators directly. Support may also come through subscriptions, tips, or paying for private messages.

How does OnlyFans work?

OnlyFans is a simple-to-use website. There’s no need to search for an app on the Google and Apple app stores, as it’s not available. The reason is that the major app stores have strict policies against explicit content, so there is no available official app. You will always need to access the website to log in, post, or subscribe. 

Moreover, as mentioned earlier, your fans pay you directly, and there is no intermediary algorithm suppressing your posts. This platform shows your content to your fans as long as it meets the guidelines. Thus, you have more control over what your fans access.

• Monetization model: To earn money on OnlyFans, you can choose from various monetization options. For instance,
• Paid subscriptions: Your fans subscribe to a content feed for a fixed monthly fee, and you share content on a monthly basis.  
• Pay-per-view (PPV) content: Fans can pay to unlock special posts.  
• Tipping: Also, users can send an extra tip to show appreciation for the content.
• Custom pieces inquiry: Users may ask about their custom pieces, and you are free to set your custom price for them. 

So, both you and your fans express their preferences regarding your earnings and their pricing with no restraints. 

How to get payments?

OnlyFans’ commission structure: OnlyFans charges a small transaction fee, which retains 20% of creator earnings. In this case, you would receive 80% of the earnings. Their fee covers the maintenance of the site and supporting creators. 

Payment methods and withdrawal processes: Next, you are able to set up a payment account with your bank or use other payment methods available in your country. Thus, if your balance is above the set minimum withdrawal limit, you will access your earnings.

How to create an OnlyFans account? Creator vs Subscriber 

You can register as a content creator or as a subscriber. Regardless of which option you choose, the registration process for both will differ in small ways.

As a content creator: If you would like to create a content creator account, you must be at least 18 years old. Registration can be done with an email account or through social media. Subsequently, you must upload a photo identification to verify age and identity. 

In addition, you can choose pricing, and with that, you can start posting. As subscribers pay creators directly, many people appreciate the level of control and flexibility this approach provides. This enables creators to tailor their content to their passions and to monetize the process as they desire. 

As a subscriber: For subscribers, the process is even simpler. Subscription payment and account creation are the only prerequisites. You must also be 18 years old. After logging in, you are able to follow, unlock, and view posts from other creators, including special posts. Also, your identity remains anonymous while exploring the website’s content. 

What content does OnlyFans provide?

While OnlyFans is widely known as an adult entertainment platform with a large user base, it has diverse uses. The space is also used by fitness instructors, musicians, artists, chefs, and other professionals for exclusive content, tutorials, and fan engagement.

For instance, fitness instructors offer their clients exclusive workout videos. Similarly, some musicians offer glimpses into their world by sharing new songs or behind-the-scenes footage. Also, chefs can post cooking tutorial videos, and artists can share their drawings and painting videos or give creative tips.

Thus, a user can follow a creator not only for entertainment, but also to learn new things, get inspired, or support a figure they truly admire.

Which content is not allowed on OnlyFans?

Like other social media, OnlyFans has its rules and regulations, and users are bound by terms of service. They cannot post illegal content. For example, content that depicts acts of violence or other destructive behavior is strictly prohibited.

In addition to this, content portraying minors is banned, even if accidentally. Moreover, you should also not post content that is abusive or threatening.

Is OnlyFans legal and safe to use?

Certainly, OnlyFans is among the legal platforms available around the globe. It is safe for use only by those who are 18 and above and complies with the legal stipulations set. OnlyFans is operational legally with terms of service for both parties who access the platform and those who create on the platform.  

OnlyFans has proper safeguards in place. OnlyFans does not allow private user data sharing and does not allow sharing of content without age verification. Thus, users and content creators who follow the rules are insulated within a secured platform.  

All the above does not mean there are no risks. Be careful of unofficial apps and sites claiming to be the real deal. As mentioned earlier, OnlyFans does not have an official mobile application; therefore, any application calling itself OnlyFans in the App Store is a scam. 

Why parents need to be aware of OnlyFans

In today’s digital age, platforms like OnlyFans are rapidly gaining popularity, especially among younger audiences. This implies that parents have to ensure the platforms their kids are using are safe. All things considered, let’s examine the dangers that come with OnlyFans.  

Scams and inappropriate consumption:

The OnlyFans subscription-based model and transactional nature open the door to potential online scams. There are fake or misleading accounts and subscription scams to encourage users to sign up for “exclusive” content or pay-per-view videos, only to find that the content is either fake or not what was promised. Fraudsters may also target OnlyFans subscribers with phishing emails or links that attempt to steal personal information and banking details.

Exposure to age-inappropriate content

Though OnlyFans is content-agnostic, it is notorious for adult content. The website is meant for users over the age of 18; however, teenagers motivated by curiosity may attempt to bypass the age restrictions. As a result, young users may be exposed to sexual content, which can impact their emotional and psychological development.

Exposure to explicit material at an early age can shape unrealistic perceptions of relationships, intimacy, and body image. It can also encourage unhealthy or unsafe behaviors, such as sexting or an increased risk of online exploitation.

Potential for online exploitation and grooming:

Given the adult nature of much of the content on OnlyFans, there is always a risk of exploitation. Some people may engage in “grooming” or try to manipulate young followers into sending explicit content or money. Besides, teenagers, particularly those who are influenced by popular culture, may see these creators as role models or aspire to be like them. The fantasies that they are likely to create about love and relations will be utterly unrealistic. This leads to a greater amount of persistent confusion, anxiety, and depression.  

Similar apps like OnlyFans to block for children

OnlyFans is not the only application that parents need to monitor carefully. There are other apps that serve the same purpose, and where the bulk of the content is meant for adults. Thus, understanding the existence of such apps enables you to protect minors by blocking such apps on kids’ devices.

Bonus tips for parental guidance

Now, we would like to share tips and techniques that would assist you in protecting kids from internet toxicity.

• Have open communication: Encourage regular, open discussions about social media usage. Build trust so that they feel comfortable talking about what they encounter online. Listen to them without judgement.

• Educate on online safety: Teach your child about privacy settings, the importance of not sharing personal information (address, school, full name, etc.), and how to recognize potential online dangers, like scams or cyberbullying. Learn how to report or block inappropriate content or users, and protect their accounts with strong passwords.

• Establish soft and clear boundaries: Establish clear guidelines around how much time your child can spend online each day. Be consistent, and encourage balance with offline activities like schoolwork, hobbies, and family time. Be a role model in daily life. Thus, kids who feel involved are more likely to follow the guidelines. 

• Use of parental controls or built-in features (like screen time management) to monitor and limit social media use. Consider using the reliable FlashGet Kids parental control app. It offers a wide range of advanced features to keep parents informed of their children’s online activities in real time and allow them to set restrictions remotely. Key features include live location tracking, geo-fencing, app blocker, safe browser, screen time limits, etc.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, OnlyFans is a subscription-based digital platform providing a good opportunity for content creators to earn money directly from fans. However, it contains mostly adult content; thus, it is not suitable for kids and teens. Besides OnlyFans, there are also other similar platforms available online.

That’s why, as a parent, you need to know about such websites and use parental control tools like FlashGet Kids to prevent kids from accessing them. Thus, you can ensure a safe and healthy digital environment for them!

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