Motivation to Use Adult-Based Platforms While Underage

An Adult-Based Platform (ABP) is an online platform intended for adult use (e.g., dating apps, fetish communities, subscription services). The terms of use require ABP users to be a minimum of 18 years old. Although it is well established that some youth under 18 bypass these requirements and use ABPs, the reasons for them doing so are not well known. The goal of this study is to understand why youth use ABPs. This study undertook qualitative semi-structured interviews with Australians aged 18 to 21 years old who had previously used ABPs as minors. Participants reported various motivations to use ABPs while underage, which can be categorised into three main groups: relationships, entertainment and a fear of missing out (FOMO). This study found new understandings about youth ABP motivations, as well as findings reflective in existing research of adult ABP users and children online generally.