What Is Chaturbate?

When I first visited Chaturbate, it seemed like just another framed box of amateur peep show performers determined to outdo each other in mimicking the costumes and attitudes of mainstream porn. But the site offers more than a gynecological perspective on the world. It gives a glimpse into a society where wages are so low that ambitious young people cannot afford to advance their educations without going into debt, and where misfortune can result in financial catastrophe. For those in such phases of life, sex work provides the flexibility and income they need to get by.

The women who perform on the site say they are frequently encouraged by tippers to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana during their streams. While performing while intoxicated—whether from alcohol or prescription or illegal drugs—is against Chaturbate’s terms of service, it doesn’t seem to stop some models from doing so.

A model named Edith, who has been on the platform for a few months, told me that she and her boyfriend often filmed a double act while they were drinking. She said she thought it was consensual, but that she did not want to do it for the money.

If you find a cammer that you enjoy watching, you can “Follow” her, which will give you a notification each time she goes live. Many of the women also have interactive sex toys set up that will activate when you buy tokens. These are usually made by Lovense, and can include clitoral vibrators and thrusting machines.