First of all as a RL sex worker I have found the increasing popularity of using the word 'meet' quite cringy, and I find many who use that word in their contact are very 'casual'. I try to turn the conversation into 'booking' or 'appointment'.
Back to the point I have only been camming for 2 1/2 years, many ask this however many independent (private) cam clients talk about meeting all the time but never even get close to making a booking. Also I am aware of a couple who used the reason of making a RL booking to simply engage me in post cam, unpaid, chat. I was very helpful over a period of time and patient but they just totally took the P.
On the platforms I suspect a mixture of all of the above, and a huge dollop of 'in-the-moment' fantasy. Many probably are on the other side of the world, that is not to say I do not have clients who see me when visiting the UK but I suspect many who say this are not ever going out of their country.
If mentioned on SM I reel off the rules, and if they push then I ask "Why would you threaten my presence here/I have to report you". I also may explain "This site is for camming, it's not a dating site".
In summary I think it's a mixture of wishful thinking, fantasy, a few may be serious but they need to make contact using appropriate channels.