Lauren Phillips Interview on Cyberbullying

In this issue of Cam Life Magazine, we sit down with live cam model turned adult film star Lauren Phillips to talk about her very personal battle with cyberbullying. Before we start I want to thank you Laurento set down with us here at Cam Life.

 CL-Hi Lauren, thanks for sitting down with us for a few questions. You’ve taken cyberbullying as an issue. Why is it such a personal issue with you?

Lauren Phillips- Cyberbullying is a personal issue for everyone, but I just don’t want to sit back and hope it will take care of itself. I’ve been cyberbullied since I was a kid and I think I just got out of control.

CL- What have your experiences been with cyberbullying? Can you share some of your personal experiences? Lauren Phillips- I have several experiences-inbeing cyberbullied, from childhood to the present. The current situation happened in late October of last year when I had people in the adult industry try to blacklist me and ruin my career.

 CL- How do you react when you are attacked on Twitter or other formats? Is there anything you can say or do? Is there any recourse? Lauren Phillips- Nowadays I don’t do anything if I’m attacked on any social media. You can’t because words can be twisted and turned in so many ways. You could apologize and still, it would be taken the wrong way. 

CL- Are these attacks typically coming from anonymous sources? Do you have similar face-to-face experiences?  Lauren Phillips – Attacks can come from anyone. When I was cyberbullied, I knew the people and had even helped them in their careers. So, it isn’t like they didn’t know me and the person I am. I think that’s what hurts the most, people who are your friends… not sticking up for you.

CL-How frequently do you think you are cyberbullied? Lauren Phillips – Not as much now because I stay away from any type of drama. 

CL- Why do you think it is so common that people are attacked by people on the internet? What do you think they are trying to accomplish? Lauren Phillips – I think the internet has created this mask for people and it dehumanizes us. When you are typing and not actually saying it out, you forget the reactions people have and how words can really hurt people. I think people are just trying to be heard and the internet is the best way for it.

CL- How big of a part do you think cyberbullying played in some of the tragic deaths of adult stars in recent months? Lauren Phillips – I hope it’s not big, but I don’t the answer to this question. I would need to do more research about it to have a hypothesis.

CL- What has the reaction to your fight against cyberbullying been? Both from people within the industry and from would-be cyberbullies. Lauren Phillips – The reactions are different. I have people that are so excited about this charity party and I have people that don’t want to have anything to do with it. People need to understand that we all need each other at the end of the day. It’s a circle. Agencies to talent to companies. One can survive without the other. 

CL- What advice can you give people who are suffering from cyber-attacks and feeling the resulting pain they cause? Lauren Phillips – If you are getting cyber bullied, don’t respond to it. Just let it be. Then go to people that you can trust and talk about it. Your team is there for you. Just like mine was. 

CL- What have you done to protect yourself from continued attacks you receive? Lauren Phillips – I hate to say this, but I have to quiet myself. I stay out of the dramatic conversations and trending hashtags. It’s just not worth the hurt.

CL – Is there any real opportunity that adult stars or organizations will be able to have an impact on the people behind these attacks? Lauren Phillips – I don’t know. I think that’s up to our government and the platforms that don’t filter phrases or words out. You never know. America has changed so much from women’s rights to black and whites becoming equal. I think the struggle is there for any change. It’s just that are you willing to fight for the right thing. 

CL- Do you think there was anything that could have been done to prevent what happened to August Ames? Lauren Phillips – I think there could be a lot of things done to prevent the death of August Ames. For example, I think Twitter should have a filter for phrases like“killing yourself” or respond when they see that one person is getting singled out and attacked. Technology is huge right now and I think they have a way of doing this.

CL- You are working with APAC to fight to cyberbully. What are they doing to fight this? What is the long-term goal and what change can we expect to see as they continue the fight? Lauren Phillips – APACand I are hosting a party to raise money for cyberbullying and APA Organization. We want to bring the industry together as a community and show that we support each other in the adult world. I don’t know what changes can come from it, but I’m hoping industry professionals will respect each other and understand we are human at the end of the day.