Cam whore
Encyclopedia
A camwhore is an individual who performs sexual services on the Internet with webcam
software in exchange for money, goods, or attention. Some of the common ways of doing this is by a fixed per minute fee, by encouraging viewers to purchase items on their wish lists or add to their online accounts. While the label is usually considered derogatory and insulting, it is also sometimes self-applied, occasionally in a self-deprecating manner.
The term "camwhore" is also used to refer to individuals who post pictures or videos of themselves on the Internet to gain attention. The term disparages those who post pictures of themselves at inappropriate times or places and usually implies self-absorption. This second usage of the term, deriding vanity and histrionics, is overtaking the prior more intuitive definition.
The term camwhore was first used in print in November 2001, but may have originated in Australia
as early as 1999.
Some insight into the world of underage camwhores was provided by a major article in the New York Times. It described the story of Justin Berry
, a 13-year-old boy who, after hooking up his webcam and listing himself on an online forum in order to make friends, was propositioned by older men to strip and masturbate on camera. CNN referred to him as "in the language of cyberspace... a cam-whore". He eventually started his own paysite
, was molested
for money, sold video recordings of his encounters with Mexican prostitutes, and helped hire other underage models. He made several hundred thousand dollars over five years. In the end he turned all information over to prosecutors in exchange for immunity.
Camwhore is also referred to young people who post a large amount of pictures of themselves on the internet social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace etc. The most common "camwhore" thing to do is to take a picture of yourself with a cellphone or a portable camera either from the top / front or though a mirror, usually these pictures tend to look the same and rarely are a good quality.
The naming comes from "whoring yourself to a camera" implying that you like to be photographed and if there is no one else to do it, you do it yourself.
Webcam
A webcam is a video camera that feeds its images in real time to a computer or computer network, often via USB, ethernet, or Wi-Fi.Their most popular use is the establishment of video links, permitting computers to act as videophones or videoconference stations. This common use as a video camera...
software in exchange for money, goods, or attention. Some of the common ways of doing this is by a fixed per minute fee, by encouraging viewers to purchase items on their wish lists or add to their online accounts. While the label is usually considered derogatory and insulting, it is also sometimes self-applied, occasionally in a self-deprecating manner.
The term "camwhore" is also used to refer to individuals who post pictures or videos of themselves on the Internet to gain attention. The term disparages those who post pictures of themselves at inappropriate times or places and usually implies self-absorption. This second usage of the term, deriding vanity and histrionics, is overtaking the prior more intuitive definition.
The term camwhore was first used in print in November 2001, but may have originated in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
as early as 1999.
Some insight into the world of underage camwhores was provided by a major article in the New York Times. It described the story of Justin Berry
Justin Berry
Justin Berry is an American who beginning at age 13, operated pornographic websites featuring himself and other teen males. In 2005, at the age of 18, he cooperated in a The New York Times feature article. Before publication, Berry was granted immunity in exchange for his help in prosecuting...
, a 13-year-old boy who, after hooking up his webcam and listing himself on an online forum in order to make friends, was propositioned by older men to strip and masturbate on camera. CNN referred to him as "in the language of cyberspace... a cam-whore". He eventually started his own paysite
Paysite
A paysite, in pornography jargon, is a website that charges money to become a member and view its content, and often produces original adult content. They can be contrasted with "free-sites", which do not charge a membership fee. Most paysites offer "free tours" which allow non-members to view a...
, was molested
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
for money, sold video recordings of his encounters with Mexican prostitutes, and helped hire other underage models. He made several hundred thousand dollars over five years. In the end he turned all information over to prosecutors in exchange for immunity.
Camwhore is also referred to young people who post a large amount of pictures of themselves on the internet social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace etc. The most common "camwhore" thing to do is to take a picture of yourself with a cellphone or a portable camera either from the top / front or though a mirror, usually these pictures tend to look the same and rarely are a good quality.
The naming comes from "whoring yourself to a camera" implying that you like to be photographed and if there is no one else to do it, you do it yourself.
See also
- CybersexCybersexCybersex, also called computer sex, Internet sex, netsex, mudsex, TinySex and, colloquially, cybering, is a virtual sex encounter in which two or more persons connected remotely via computer network send each other sexually explicit messages describing a sexual experience...
- Erotic capitalErotic CapitalSexual capital or erotic capital is a form of social worthiness granted to an individual, as a result of his or her sexual attractiveness to the majority of his or her social group...
- Histrionic personality disorderHistrionic personality disorderHistrionic personality disorder is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, including an excessive need for approval and inappropriately seductive behavior, usually beginning in early...
- Internet pornographyInternet pornographyInternet pornography is pornography that is distributed by means of various sectors of the Internet, primarily via websites, peer-to-peer file sharing, or Usenet newsgroups...