A cam whore (sometimes cam-whore or cam-slut)^[1] is an individual who exposes themself on the Internet with webcam software in exchange for goods, usually by encouraging viewers to purchase items on their wish lists or add to their online accounts.^[2] While the label is usually considered derogatory and insulting,^[3] it is also used by these people to describe themselves, occasionally in a self-deprecating manner. A typical webcam Webcams are small cameras, (usually, though not always, video cameras) whose images can be accessed using the World Wide Web, instant messaging, or a PC video conferencing application. ...

The term "cam whore" 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. It is usually synonymous with attention whore.

The term was first used in print as early as November 2001,^[4] but may have originated in Australia as early as 1999.^[5]

Some insight into the world of underage cam whores was provided by a major article in the New York Times. It described the story of Justin Berry, a thirteen-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.^[6] CNN referred to him as "in the language of cyberspace... a cam-whore".^[7] 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.^[6] He made several hundred thousand dollars over five years.^[6] In the end he turned all information over to prosecutors in exchange for immunity.^[6] The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ... Justin Berry (born July 24, 1986) is an American who, beginning at age 13, operated pornographic websites featuring himself and other teen males. ... Masturbation is the manual excitation of the sexual organs, most often to the point of orgasm. ... A paysite, in pornography slang, is a pornographic website that charges money for admission, unlike free sites such as TGPs. ...

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