Criticism of TikTok for battles: ‘It’s just throwing money’

The TikTok battle is therefore a real revenue model: the value of a gift varies from 1 cent to 250 euros. And every week millions are made in the Netherlands gifts sent. TikTok in particular earns a lot from it, because it is reported that at least 70 percent of the donations go to that platform.

Modern begging, that’s what Remy Springer calls the TikTok battles. For two weeks he participated in it himself, until he found out that he received 230 euros from a child of 14 years. “Then I thought: what am I doing? It’s just throwing money at children, who often don’t even know the value of money.”

NOS Stories hear another example: an 11-year-old girl who spent 3000 euros in one evening at TikTok battles. “She was aware of the large donations, but had no idea that it was real money,” the parents write.

Who is responsible?

Battle players say correct that they do everything they can to protect minors. They say, among other things, that they check the profile photos to rule out that minors donate money.

“We can never know for sure. How can we do that?” says battle player Turkcikolatasi. He thinks TikTok bears the greatest responsibility. According to ‘Turk’, a solution would be: ID verification on the platform, so that you have to prove that you are 18+.

Battle player Gigi also thinks that TikTok should do more. “It’s not fair that we are looked at, TikTok just allows it.” Parents should also be careful, she says. “It is the parents’ responsibility to protect their bank details.”

‘Show the real amounts’

“TikTok has a great responsibility to prevent online deception,” says the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). The regulator has therefore requested TikTok to also show the actual amount of money (in euros) when making a donation.

The ACM also says it will closely monitor TikTok. The regulator is still investigating, so whether TikTok is now doing enough to protect young people cannot yet be said.

TikTok itself does not want to comment officially. They point out to us the rules that minors are not allowed to participate in donations. And they report that you should report it to TikTok if you feel unsafe or pushed as a user, or if you see minors donating money. They say they will take action afterwards.

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