I was tempted to dismiss this as a bizarre hobby, just some phase that a few teenagers with exhibitionistic tendencies were going through. But then I read that there are actually thousands of camgirls out there. (And, yes, there are plenty of camboys, too.) Clearly there are larger forces at work here.

According to Susan Hopkins, the author of the example citation as well as the book Girl Heroes, for some kids the constant surveillance of a Webcam affirms their identity. Young people feel validated because they're like, you know, sorta kinda on TV, and only celebrities and important people appear on TV. It's the same impulse that provides a never-ending cast of unembarrassed guests for The Jerry Springer Show; it's why TV crews never seem to have trouble finding someone to interview after a disaster or tragedy, no matter how grief-stricken or shocked that person may be. The camgirls talk about "artistic expression" and "empowerment," and I'm sure that's true for some. But for most of them the omnipresent eye of the Webcam serves only to validate their existence. I cam, therefore I am.