SHAH ALAM - The proliferation of social media has undeniably revolutionised communication, commerce and entertainment.
However, it has also given rise to a darker, more insidious trend that is increasingly ensnaring young people: online prostitution, often referred to as ‘dark side accounts.’
This alarming phenomenon sees youths, sometimes still in their teens, using social media platforms to offer sexual services for money.
The allure of quick cash and a glamorous lifestyle constantly flaunted online lured a woman who only wanted to be known as Arina, 24, who revealed that her dive into the darker side of the internet took an unexpected turn.
"I was 19 and living away from my family, studying hard while surviving on a meagre allowance from my parents—barely enough for my daily meals.
"I felt envious of peers who seemed to lead more luxurious lives, enjoying trendy clothes and lavish coffee shops, unlike my own situation," Arina told Sinar Daily.
Though her family ensured she lived comfortably, they were financially responsible, which led her to crave more than her means could afford.
Determined to bridge the gap between her desires and reality, Arina sought ways to make extra money.
She discovered an online community called 'Ds' (short for Dark Side) on various apps.
"I was introduced to these by my best friend when I confided in her (about not having enough money).
"I was naive and curious, but I didn't anticipate how things would turn out," she said.
This led her into the 'dark side' community, where she created anonymous accounts on social media platform like X, and eventually joined another widely known adult content platforms.
"At first, the community was welcoming, but gradually, I witnessed disturbing things beyond my imagination, like self-harm.
"It shook me deeply,” she said.
As she delved deeper, she learned that some members only use public social media platform to promote themselves on adult content platforms.
That was when she decided to do the same to get more money as adult content platform would charge more for every content.
Arina said she started by posting semi-nude content on her dark side social media account while still concealing her identity and along the way, on the adult content platform, she progressed to full nudity content as she gained confidence.
"It was seemingly secure, as the adult content platform offered privacy for subscribers, charging around USD$5 (about RM20) per subscription.
"I saw the potential to earn significant money," she shared.
As her ‘sales’ increased, Arina felt a sense of financial freedom, albeit temporarily.
"Later, I learned that apart from sharing content, I could earn more by engaging with the viewers or intimate encounters, which seemed enticing," she said.
By doing that, she pointed out how she could earn up to RM1,000 per session, depending on the number of subscribers.
"In a month, I could earn anywhere between a minimum of RM3,000 and at the peak, around RM6,000.
"Some of the videos I posted show me having physical relations with guys, but some (viewers) request for different things.
"Some of them would request videos of me using sex toys or asked for more explicit pictures and videos,” she revealed, adding that she later transitioned to offering physical sexual services offline after advertising them on her account.
Despite the initial allure of quick earnings, Arina soon faced the consequences of her choices.
She recognised that her involvement in the ‘business’ took on her mental well-being, hence she decided to distance herself from the community and chose to rebuild her life.
"I realised how depressing it was...While the money made me feel like I could afford anything I wanted, over time it made me feel like I was losing myself.
"In fact, it led to emotional instability and I tried to distance myself,” she said.
She said what was more alarming was she started to receive numerous messages on her personal mobile phone from unknown numbers.
"The most alarming part was when unknown individuals sent me their nudes and begged me for intimate encounters.
"It became so stressful that I decided to close down the account and leave the community for good.
"I moved forward, focusing on personal growth. Let my story serves as a reminder to prioritise self-respect over fleeting gains,” she said.
Meanwhile, Arina’s best friend, who only wanted to be known as Rica, shared that she got into the Dark Side business when she broke up with her boyfriend.
"He was my first love. We broke up and I found out he was in the Dark Side community. We were on good terms back then but after we broke up, he told me everything about the DS," she said.
That led her to seek revenge and join the bandwagon.
However, after several months, she decided to pull out of the community as a viewer who she interacted with online, decided to expose her face without her consent.
"I was scared... In today’s world, people can easily make such things viral.
"The case went really bad until it involved lawyers,” she said.
Rica said her life felt much better after escaping from the dark side world.
She and Arina now advocate for alternative means to earn money and urged others not to trade their integrity for temporary financial stability.
Rica is now happily engaged with the love of her life, while Arina has now joined the workforce.