A growing number of college students are turning to OnlyFans to supplement their income, but experts are raising alarms about the potential dangers lurking behind the trend.
With tuition and living costs surging, some students see content creation as a fast way to make money. However, forensic psychiatrists warn that posting explicit material publicly can trigger intense fixation—some subscribers believe they share a personal bond with creators, leading to stalking, harassment, or worse.
Retired law enforcement officers also caution that the boundary between digital fame and real-world danger is perilously thin. Some creators on college campuses report adjusting daily habits—avoiding walking alone at night or hiding personal data—to manage threats tied to their online presence.
The phenomenon is already affecting mental health, too. Therapists say the instant validation from subscribers can morph into dependency, warping one’s sense of self beyond the digital persona. As more students weigh short-term gains against long-term risks, many feel caught in an uneasy trade-off between financial necessity and personal security.