Online safety is important for everyone, but poses particular challenges for adult creators, who are unfortunately often perceived as commodities rather than individuals. This can lead to entitlement and harassment, as some clients may feel they have the right to dictate a creator’s behavior or content. Moreover, the pressure to produce content constantly can create an environment where personal boundaries are frequently ignored, which compromises safety.
Let’s examine specific risks and how adult creators can proactively implement effective strategies to safeguard themselves.
Avoid showing identifiable details in your content. Protecting your personal life is crucial for your safety and peace of mind.
The New Reality: Beyond Stage Names
The stigma surrounding sex work can lead to discrimination in banking, housing and employment. By maintaining anonymity, creators can head off bias and harassment and shield their mental and emotional well-being, allowing them to engage with their audience while keeping their personal lives private.
The common practice of using a ptrofessional or “stage” name is a vital and helpful protective measure, but should be a baseline and not your sole security measure. Personal details can often still be discovered through a quick search. Services like Amazon wish lists may reveal home addresses, while social media can inadvertently disclose locations or relationships. These vulnerabilities highlight the need for heightened awareness and proactive online safety measures.
Practical Tips for Online Safety
Here are some actionable steps adult creators can take to enhance their privacy and security.
- Use a P.O. Box: Keep your home address private by using a P.O. box for all mailings. This adds a layer of anonymity and protects personal information from potential exposure.
- Create a Google Voice Number: Use a separate number for professional communications. This keeps personal and business interactions distinct, adding privacy and security.
- Consider a Separate Phone: Maintain a dedicated phone for business purposes, one that operates on Wi-Fi. This separation helps ensure that your personal and professional lives do not overlap, reducing the risk of exposure.
- Utilize a VPN: Mask your location while browsing. A VPN can protect your online activities from being easily traced, adding an important layer of anonymity.
- Establish a Separate Email Address: Use a dedicated email address for all registrations and correspondence. This minimizes the risk of your personal email being compromised and keeps your communications more secure.
- Buy Privacy Protection for Domain Names: When creating a business website, be sure to purchase domain privacy. This prevents your personal information from being publicly accessible.
- Disable Location Settings: Turn off location settings on devices to prevent accidental sharing of your whereabouts.
- Be Cautious With Content Sharing: Know who has access to your legal name and personal information. Trust is essential when trading content, so ensure that only reliable parties have access.
- Maintain Separate Social Media Profiles: Use different usernames and privacy settings for your personal and professional accounts. This helps avoid unwanted attention from lurkers and protects your personal information.
- Beware of Scams: Never give account access to anyone, as this can lead to identity theft. Always verify the legitimacy of any requests, especially those related to finances.
- Document Everything: Keep proper paperwork to protect your rights. This documentation is crucial in case of disputes or misunderstandings.
- Avoid Online Conflicts: Engaging in public disputes can lead to doxxing or harassment. Staying clear of online conflicts minimizes risk and maintains your safety.
- Consider Geoblocking: Limit access to your content from certain regions. This can help mitigate risks associated with a global audience.
- Think Carefully Before Forming an LLC: Understand the implications of forming an LLC, as it may expose your legal name. Weigh the benefits against potential risks to your anonymity.
- Only Use Payment Methods Associated With Your Stage Name: This keeps your financial transactions separate from your personal identity, enhancing privacy.
- Never Photograph Yourself at Work or in a Job Uniform: To avoid being outed, maintain a clear boundary between your professional and personal life. If you have a vanilla job, don’t share information about where you work.
- Keep Personal Photos Private: Avoid posting images that include identifying details. Protecting your personal life is crucial for your safety and peace of mind.
Prioritizing online safety is essential for long-term success and well-being in an industry that is sometimes fraught with challenges. By adopting these precautions, adult creators can create a safer working environment, allowing them to engage in their craft without the fear of exposure or harassment. Safeguarding your identity and privacy is not merely about protection; it’s about empowerment in a world that often misunderstands your profession.
Eve Batelle is a content creator on AP Clips who can be followed at apclips.com/evebatelle and @EveBatelle on X.com.
