When OnlyFans creators set boundaries or say no to subscriber requests, not only do they risk losing money, but it can also expose them to harassment and abuse online. buzzfeednews.com/article/otilli…
Creator Korn Kernal joined OnlyFans early in the pandemic, posting bikini and lingerie photos similar to what she’d been putting up on Instagram. But, fans, she said, were looking for more. buzzfeednews.com/article/otilli…
She said that some followers used the platform’s tipping system, which lets fans send extra money to creators, to manipulate her into posting nudity and explicit sexual content. She only stuck around for a month. buzzfeednews.com/article/otilli… 
Since last year, OnlyFans has been trying to diversify the types of creators on the platform, courting more mainstream creators and promoting musicians and fitness influencers. Even these creators on the site feel the pressure from users to post explicit content.
Russell Horning, better known as the Backpack Kid and inventor of the floss dance, is now 20 and makes fitness and Christian content. Looking to monetize his viral fame, he says OnlyFans offered to promote any account he made on the platform. buzzfeednews.com/article/otilli…
Despite repeatedly setting boundaries with followers, Horning says he was still bombarded with requests for dick pics, feet pictures, and other explicit content. His time on OnlyFans also cost him a potential sponsorship. Last month, he announced he was leaving the platform.
In a statement, OnlyFans said that it uses “proactive moderation and community reporting” to address abuse. But a BBC investigation last year showed major gaps in moderation, with one person saying it took six months for the company to respond to death threats made against them.
One reason moderation tools on the platform may miss some of the bad behavior is that some creators say they usually avoid using the reporting functions because they worry about losing subscribers, which means missing out on income. buzzfeednews.com/article/otilli…
To protect their mental health, creators have had to find their own solutions. Hiring digital assistants is an option, but these services typically charge a percentage of a creator’s income. Some creators are in chat groups to find support and talk about the issues they face.
Despite the issues, researchers say OnlyFans could also be an improvement over jobs where people may not be able to easily walk away from harassment. Also, income from the platform can help people leave unwelcoming or unsafe environments. buzzfeednews.com/article/otilli…
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