The Dark Side of the Internet & Online Exploitation
By Trinity Barnette
The Cost of Being Online
The internet is often seen as a place of opportunity—a space where people can express themselves, build careers, and connect with others. But for many, especially women and content creators, it’s also a breeding ground for harassment, exploitation, and abuse
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As someone who has built a career online, I’ve experienced firsthand how the digital world can turn from empowering to exploitative in an instant. My time on OnlyFans, for example, opened my eyes to the darker side of the internet—one where women are treated as commodities, where harassment is normalized, and where platforms often prioritize profits over protection.
This post isn’t just about my experiences. It’s about a systemic issue that affects thousands—possibly millions—of people. It’s about how laws like the Take It Down Act are trying to address online exploitation, why they matter, and why they might not go far enough. It’s about my ongoing work with RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, to push for stronger protections.
Most importantly, it’s about making the internet safer—not just for me, but for everyone.
1. When “Empowerment” Becomes Exploitation: What OnlyFans Taught Me
When I first started using OnlyFans, I saw it as a way to take control of my own content and make money on my terms. But over time, I realized that the platform—and the internet as a whole—wasn’t built to protect people like me.
Entitlement & Harassment: Many subscribers felt entitled to my time, body, and energy, demanding more than I was willing to give. When I set boundaries, I was met with anger, insults, and even threats.
The Illusion of Control: People often say that platforms like OnlyFans allow creators to “take control” of their content, but that’s not entirely true. Screenshots, leaks, and stolen content are rampant, with little recourse for victims.
The Toll on Mental Health: The constant pressure to perform, combined with harassment and financial instability, left me feeling drained, resentful, and disillusioned with the platform.
While some people make a fortune on OnlyFans, many are left feeling trapped in a cycle of exploitation, fearing that leaving will mean financial ruin. And for those who do leave, the internet makes it nearly impossible to fully reclaim their image.
2. The Internet Wasn’t Built to Protect Women
Online harassment isn’t just a problem—it’s a pattern. Women, particularly those in the public eye, are disproportionately targeted with:
Doxxing: The public release of personal information, such as home addresses or phone numbers, often leading to real-world danger.
Stalking & Cyberstalking: Persistent harassment that can escalate into physical threats or violence.
Non-Consensual Content Leaks: Stolen or leaked images being distributed across forums without consent.
Sexual Coercion & Blackmail: Predators use threats and manipulation to force victims into compliance.
Even outside of content creation, social media platforms foster a culture of male entitlement, where women are constantly objectified and harassed. Algorithms prioritize engagement, meaning that controversial and harmful content thrives, further normalizing toxic behavior.
And when women speak out? They’re often met with gaslighting, victim-blaming, or outright threats.
This isn’t just an “unfortunate reality” of being online—it’s a systemic failure that needs to change.
3. Can Laws Keep Up? The Take It Down Act
One step in the right direction is the Take It Down Act, a law designed to help victims of online exploitation—particularly minors—remove explicit images of themselves from the internet. It requires platforms to provide accessible ways to request content removal, giving victims more control over their digital footprint.
But does it go far enough?
The law primarily protects minors. While it’s crucial to safeguard young people, adults also deserve protection from revenge porn and non-consensual image distribution.
Many websites ignore takedown requests. Even with legal backing, enforcement is weak. Once an image is online, it spreads faster than it can be removed.
Accountability is lacking. Perpetrators—whether individuals or platforms—rarely face real consequences.
While the Take It Down Act is a start, we need stronger regulations, better enforcement, and more comprehensive protections for all victims of online exploitation.
4. My Conversation With RAINN: Turning Awareness Into Action
Recently, I reached out to RAINN to discuss what more can be done to protect people from online exploitation. We talked about:
How platforms should be held accountable for facilitating abuse.
Ways to educate people on digital safety and consent.
What survivors need in terms of legal and emotional support.
I also shared my own experiences, reinforcing how laws and platform policies are failing content creators and women in general.
Going forward, I’m working on:
Advocating for expanded protections beyond the Take It Down Act.
Educating my audience on how to stay safe online.
Connecting with policymakers to push for stronger laws.
This isn’t just about me. It’s about all of us.
Conclusion: What You Can Do
The internet won’t change overnight. But here’s what we can do right now:
Sign petitions that push for stronger online safety laws.
Support organizations like RAINN that help survivors of digital exploitation.
Call out predatory behavior when you see it—on social media, on OnlyFans, or anywhere else.
Be mindful of what you share and consume. If you see leaked content, don’t engage—report it.
Vote for politicians who prioritize online safety and protections for women.
I refuse to accept that harassment and exploitation are just part of being online. We deserve better.
And if no one else is going to fight for it—I will.
Want to Stay Involved?
Follow me for more updates on this issue. I’ll be sharing my progress with RAINN, petition links, and other ways to take action.
If you’ve experienced online harassment or exploitation and want to share your story (anonymously or otherwise), feel free to reach out. Your voice matters.
Let’s make the internet a safer place—together.
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