Qustodio Team
Experts in digital safety
OnlyFans – a site active and running for years, flying safely under the radar for most teenagers until the fated moment Bella Thorne appeared. The Disney star’s signup to subscription-based fan content site OnlyFans suddenly got the world openly discussing the site, and triggered a stream of celebrities signing up to offer their very own content, from behind the comfort of a paywall. So, while it’s safe to say your teenager has probably heard of OnlyFans, you might not have done. We’ve got the full Qustodio Safety Guide on everything parents need to know about OnlyFans, the web platform synonymous with porn.
OnlyFans ratings
Qustodio: 18+
Apple: not available on App Store due to X-rated content
Android: not available on Google Play due to X-rated content
Common Sense: 18+
What is OnlyFans?
OnlyFans is a subscription-based social platform to connect artists and celebrities with their fans via exclusive content. OnlyFans is not an app — its X-rating means it is not allowed on the App Store or Google play.
OnlyFans users can subscribe for free, and some posts are also free, but the most in-demand posts are only available after tipping or payments which can run up to $250 per month.
The platform was started in 2016 by British entrepreneur Tim Stokely and enjoyed 75% growth during the pandemic – from 17 million users in 2019 to 120 million users today. Its light regulations on nudity have made it attractive to sex-workers, and its risqué reputation has made it popular among some celebrities.
While the site includes artists, celebrities and content creators from all genres, much of the content is sexually charged or provocative. In short, OnlyFans is not an appropriate site for kids and teens.
What do teens like about OnlyFans?
- Teens are attracted to the growing list of celebrities, the access to exclusive content that can’t be seen anywhere else, and the chance to be a part of something with a slightly naughty reputation.
- Young people may also be lured by large sums of money they have heard people with many followers can make on the platform. Bella Thorne earned $1million on the platform after just 24 hours.
- And, let’s not underestimate pure curiosity. It’s natural for kids to seek out ways to view sexual content.
Is OnlyFans safe for kids?
No. OnlyFans or any site where pornography is allowed is not appropriate for kids, tweens or teens.
How can I make OnlyFans safer for my kids?
- If your child wants to follow a celebrity on OnlyFans, encourage them to follow the artists they love on social platforms that do more to protect children.
- Use an independent parental control software such as Qustodio to monitor your child’s online activity to make sure they haven’t created an OnlyFans account (user or creator) by bypassing the 18+ age restriction with a fake ID.
Qustodio’s final advice on OnlyFans
While OnlyFans tries to expand beyond porn to broader content producers — Models, musicians, actors, physical fitness experts — it remains a destination for sex workers and creators of largely unfiltered content. We don’t recommend allowing children under 18 to access the site, but parents should talk openly to their kids about OnlyFans and about porn sites.
Let your children know they can talk about sexual curiosity without shame. Ask them if they have heard about OnlyFans, seen porn, or even posted anything sexual online or participated in sexting. Make sure they understand that what happens on porn sites is often a skewed an unrealistic view of sex. Finally, talk to them about the real legal and emotional risks involved with posting sexual content.
