Kids as young as 15 were stripping on TikTok’s live feature fueled by adults who were paying for it.

That’s what TikTok learned when it launched an internal investigation after a report on Forbes. Officials at TikTok discovered that there was “a high” number of underage streamers receiving a “gift” or “coin” in exchange for stripping — real money converted into a digital currency often in the form of a plush toy or a flower.

This is one of several disturbing accounts that came to light in a trove of secret documents reviewed last week by NPR and Kentucky Public Radio. Even more troubling was that TikTok executives were acutely aware of the potential harm the app can cause teens, but appeared unconcerned.

  • DominusOfMegadeus@sh.itjust.works
    204·
    1 month ago

    Would I be wrong to send this article to my two teenage nieces who are addicted to TikTok and are enabled by my sister, without telling my sister?

    EDIT: Those of you implying and STATING DIRECTLY that an uncle keeping in touch with his nieces is inherently creepy and sexually deviant are the ones who need to get their heads checked. The actual abnormal thought process is to immediately assume impropriety and pedophilia. And to THEN accuse a random person of said sickness at the drop of a hat based on a one sentence question? Get some therapy. I love my family, and am concerned for their safety, and there’s nothing wrong with that. You should all be banned.

    • Cryophilia@lemmy.world
      15·
      1 month ago

      Entirely possible that instead of warning them off it will give them ideas. “I can make money doing this??” Depends on what they’re like.

    • LustyArgonian@lemmy.worldEnglish
      54·
      1 month ago

      Yes, you should send to sister and let her discuss

      Trying to have a secret relationship with your nieces is EXTREMELY creepy. Bypassing their mom’s wishes is creepy. Trying to control them is creepy.

    • JWBananas@lemmy.worldEnglish
      32·
      1 month ago

      That depends. What do you wish to achieve by doing so?

      As long as you aren’t in this situation…

      https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/onlyfans-sex-cases-society/

      In July 2022, the man phoned her on Instagram, according to a Seattle Police Department report and screenshots D.W. provided to Reuters.

      “This is your Uncle Eugene,” he said, according to her account to police. He was the husband of her mother’s sister. “I don’t see you as my niece, I see you as a woman,” she recalled him saying. “Please don’t tell your auntie.”

      She couldn’t believe it, she told Reuters. “I screamed and I was like, ‘How could you do this to me?’” He responded, “I’m sorry, I’m a sick person.”