Adult content online is often hosted on websites or produced by production companies that have a clear obligation to check that the models and performers they are working with are adults. This typically allows viewers to rely on that to know they are not obtaining or viewing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). When it comes to OnlyFans and other systems where models directly post their own adult content, who is responsible for checking their age? What if they lied?
OnlyFans and other similar adult content platforms generally require age verification for creators. The age verification method may vary, but it is typically more robust than simply checking a box claiming they are an adult, which makes lying unlikely. If there is an error or fraud on their part, it is illegal, and accounts are usually shut down. In the rare event that content gets to you anyway, and it depicts a minor, you may still face legal trouble for it.
Call Overson & Bugden’s Park City, UT criminal defense lawyers at (801) 758-2287 for help with your potential criminal case.
Who Checks Age on OnlyFans?
OnlyFans itself is responsible for checking the age of any adult content producers they host on their platform. Other adult content platforms have similar rules and procedures.
OnlyFans’ system for checking age usually requires…
- Submission of a government-issued ID showing the creator’s age is over 18
- A selfie holding the ID to show it matches them
- Bank information, further confirming age and identity.
These pieces of information are run through a check (usually from a third-party company) to verify the creator’s age. If there is a problem, the system usually errs on the side of rejecting the proof and requiring additional proof.
Can OnlyFans Creators Lie About Their Age?
The check is far more than simply asking, “Are you 18 or older?” This makes it hard to fake your age or lie. Additionally, there are reports that many users who have been rejected – even for mistakes – have trouble making new accounts to try again with new information, as accounts are often linked to ID information and IP addresses.
This really makes it difficult for creators to fake their age.
At the same time, there have been reports of this happening and being caught later, such as a case where a 14-year-old cheated the system by submitting her photo with her grandmother’s ID.
Does the Rule Change Based on Where the Creator Is?
Multiple countries and states have started using stricter and stricter age verification requirements for creators and users on platforms like OnlyFans. In some cases, this may adjust what is required for creating an account with access to adult content.
In general, how rigorous (or not) the legal requirements are for age verification will not change whether it is legal or illegal for a user to have the content the creator produces.
What if an OnlyFans Model is Underage?
If it turns out that a creator fakes their age or otherwise tampers with the system, it is usually caught quite quickly through user reports and OnlyFans’ own checks. This makes it unlikely that everyday users looking for adult content would come across minors on OnlyFans.
That being said, it would likely still be illegal to possess the images or videos, as they would still be CSAM.
Is it a Child Pornography Offense if an OnlyFans Creator is Underage?
If you end up with child pornography or “CSAM” because an OnlyFans creator lied about their age, you still have it.
Will There Be an Investigation?
There is a lot of content on the internet, and police and prosecutors do not always know what is out there to investigate it. If you come across underage content on OnlyFans, there are a few possible outcomes:
- You may be able to call a criminal defense lawyer and work with them to report the offending content to the authorities and OnlyFans. This would likely protect you from any criminal liability, since you did not come to possess the material intentionally.
- If there is no other investigation into these materials or images, then it may be that no one knows you have them. It may be possible to delete the images and move on. If someone does find the materials on your device later, it is possible you could be charged for child pornography offenses.
- Police may track down every user who downloaded or viewed the materials and seek to prosecute them, though this is the rarest outcome.
Is it a Crime?
Many child pornography offenses come with an intent requirement: you must have knowingly possessed the content. This means that you would have known what it was and downloaded or viewed it on purpose.
If you came across it by accident, you might not have formed the intent required to be charged with a crime, and it may be difficult for the prosecution to win the case.
Is OnlyFans at Fault for This?
Potentially. In the United Kingdom in 2025, OnlyFans faced a $1 million fine from The Office of Communications (essentially the UK’s equivalent of the United States’ FCC) for improper age verification checks.
States in the US with age-verification laws might have similar powers to charge platforms like OnlyFans for improper age-verification.
Can Users Under 18 Be Charged for Child Pornography?
If you are creating or submitting content to OnlyFans, and it contains underage people, that is likely to qualify as a child pornography or CSAM crime. This is true even if you are the underage person submitting photos of yourself. This could include charges for creation, distribution, and possession.
If you are a user obtaining photos or videos of underage people, then you may also be charged with possession of child pornography crimes. The fact that you are also under 18 does not make it legal to possess CSAM.
Can You Rely on OnlyFans’ Model Age Verification?
When it comes to criminal charges, you may be able to say that you relied on OnlyFans’ age verification. Under this argument, you would likely have to admit to having the CSAM images or videos, but you would argue that you had no knowledge the images were of minors, and you had no intent to possess illegal material.
This defense may work, but it is vital to work with a lawyer.
Call Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Today
If you need help with a criminal case, call Overson & Bugden’s Provo, UT criminal defense lawyers at (801) 758-2287.
