Q: Is it illegal to buy nudes online?
I am a 21 year old struggling porn addict who has purchased online content from onlyfans, and Fansly. But then on Instagram some people steal onlyfans content and market it as their own to scam others and they sell it over instagram and Snap chat. They ask for payment over Venmo, apple pay and other such payment platforms. Now I have only ever purchased stuff from people who have said they are 18 and older and I have not participated in distributing, or possessing Child Pornography in any way shape or form. I have reported any such accounts doing this if they are under 18. And I have reported scammers and that stuff. But even with this knowledge my parents are worried that I may get in legal trouble still. I have had Nudes leaked and have had people attempt to sexually exploit me as well, using my friends and the threat of them seeing me as a way for them to get money. I am just looking for advice and how to handle if legal troubles arise from the situation.
A:
Your parents are right to be worried. It sounds like you are taking reasonable precautions against being caught up in anything really illegal. However, as you know, the sources you are getting stuff from are not on the up-and-up. A lot of scams happens behind porn because people assume you'll be too embarrassed to go to the police about being scammed.
As to your nudes. You're over 18. The risk to you is what you've experienced: having them leaked and you being blackmailed for them.
Best advice would be 1) get some counseling for yourself if you believe this is an addiction for you; 2) if you are going to continue engaging in the purchase of porn, only do so through legitimate sources. And even with that, you still need to take precautions about the content. 3) if you are going to take nudes of yourself - even through legitimate places like OnlyFans, you need to come to terms with the idea that those pictures will eventually be outside your control and be okay with that as a result. If you would succumb to blackmail, then you probably shouldn't take pictures to begin with.
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