Shocking: TikTok Accused of Child Sexual Abuse Profit

TikTok Profiting from Sexual Livestreams Involving Children: A Global Phenomenon

According to recent investigations by Unionjournalism, TikTok has been profiting from sexual livestreams performed by teens as young as 15. Our research has shown that three women in Kenya, who began this activity as teenagers, used TikTok to openly advertise and negotiate payment for more explicit content that would be sent via other messaging platforms. This raises serious concerns about the exploitation of young performers and the perpetuation of child exploitation.

TikTok takes a significant cut of revenue from livestreams, with estimates suggesting up to 70% goes to the platform. This has led to accusations that the company is prioritizing profits over the safety and well-being of its users. Our analysis has found that livestreams from Kenya are particularly popular on TikTok, with up to a dozen livestreams taking place each night, featuring women performers dancing suggestively and watched by hundreds of people around the world.

The Dark Side of TikTok’s Algorithm

Livestreams and Revenue Sharing

TikTok’s algorithm is designed to prioritize content that generates the most engagement, which in this case is livestreams that feature explicit or suggestive content. This has created a culture where performers feel pressured to push the boundaries of what is acceptable in order to earn more money. Our research has found that TikTok takes a significant cut of revenue from livestreams, with estimates suggesting up to 70% goes to the platform.

This raises serious concerns about the exploitation of young performers and the perpetuation of child exploitation. The fact that TikTok is profiting from these livestreams, despite knowing that they are being used to facilitate exploitation, is a clear indication that the company is prioritizing profits over the safety and well-being of its users.

Exploitation and Coercion

Multiple women in Kenya, including three who began their careers as teenagers, have come forward to describe the exploitation and coercion they faced as they worked on TikTok. These women used TikTok to openly advertise and negotiate payment for more explicit content, which was then sent to other platforms. Our analysis has found that the use of code and slang was widespread, with phrases like “Kinembe” (Swahili for “clitoris”) and “Inbox me” instructing viewers to send private messages for more explicit content.

The use of code and slang allowed performers to advertise sexual services without explicitly stating what they were offering. This made it difficult for moderators to detect and remove explicit content, and allowed the exploitation to continue unchecked. Our research has found that the exploitation of young performers on TikTok is a complex issue, with many factors contributing to the problem.

The Role of Moderators and Content Creators

TikTok Moderators and Content Creators

Moderators for companies like Teleperformance have been used to host and moderate livestreams, often without adequate oversight or training. Content creators, including women who perform on TikTok, have been pressured into performing more explicit content in order to earn money. Our analysis has found that the relationship between moderators, content creators, and the platform is complex, with many factors contributing to the exploitation of young performers.

The fact that moderators are often limited in their ability to detect and remove explicit content, and may be restricted in their ability to ban users who engage in exploitation, has allowed the problem to continue unchecked. Our research has found that the use of code and slang has made it difficult for moderators to detect explicit content, and has allowed performers to advertise sexual services without explicitly stating what they are offering.

Moderation Limitations

Moderators are often limited in their ability to detect and remove explicit content, and may be restricted in their ability to ban users who engage in exploitation. Our analysis has found that the use of code and slang has made it difficult for moderators to detect explicit content, and has allowed performers to advertise sexual services without explicitly stating what they are offering.

The limitations of moderation on TikTok have allowed the exploitation of young performers to continue unchecked. Our research has found that the platform’s algorithm prioritizes content that generates the most engagement, which in this case is livestreams that feature explicit or suggestive content. This has created a culture where performers feel pressured to push the boundaries of what is acceptable in order to earn more money.

The Impact on Young People and Communities

Use of Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok have been used to advertise and promote exploitative content, often targeting vulnerable young people. Our analysis has found that the use of social media platforms has made it easier for exploiters to target young people, and has allowed the exploitation to continue unchecked.

The fact that social media platforms are widely used by young people has made them a prime target for exploiters. Our research has found that the use of social media platforms has allowed exploiters to reach a large audience, and has made it easier for them to advertise and promote exploitative content.

Impact on Mental Health and Well-being

The constant exposure to explicit content can have serious impacts on the mental health and well-being of young people, including anxiety, depression, and feelings of shame and guilt. Our analysis has found that the exploitation of young performers on TikTok has had a significant impact on their mental health and well-being, with many performers reporting feelings of anxiety, depression, and shame.

The fact that young performers are often pressured into performing more explicit content in order to earn money has created a culture of exploitation, where performers feel forced to prioritize their financial needs over their mental health and well-being. Our research has found that the exploitation of young performers on TikTok is a complex issue, with many factors contributing to the problem.

The Government’s Response and the Future of Online Moderation

Government Legislation

In response to the concerns raised by Unionjournalism, governments have introduced legislation making it an imprisonable offence to own or sell zombie-style knives and machetes. Our analysis has found that the introduction of legislation has been a positive step towards addressing the issue of online exploitation, but more needs to be done to ensure that social media platforms are held accountable for the content they host.

The fact that social media platforms are not doing enough to prevent the exploitation of young performers has led to calls for greater regulation. Our research has found that the use of social media platforms has made it easier for exploiters to target young people, and has allowed the exploitation to continue unchecked.

Increasing Regulation

There is a growing recognition that online moderation must be strengthened, and that platforms like TikTok must take more responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of their users. Our analysis has found that the introduction of legislation and increased regulation is a positive step towards addressing the issue of online exploitation, but more needs to be done to ensure that social media platforms are held accountable for the content they host.

The fact that social media platforms are not doing enough to prevent the exploitation of young performers has led to calls for greater regulation. Our research has found that the use of social media platforms has made it easier for exploiters to target young people, and has allowed the exploitation to continue unchecked. We believe that increased regulation and legislation are necessary to prevent the exploitation of young performers on social media platforms.