TikTok was supposed to be a fun, creative space for young people—a platform where anyone could go viral overnight. But in Kenya, something much darker has been unfolding. A shocking BBC investigation recently exposed how children, some as young as ten, are being used in live-streaming “begging schemes” to earn money from unsuspecting international donors. This dark side contradicts immensely with the purpose of this platform – and this was one of the investigations carried out by BBC.

The Dark Side of Social Media in Kenya

Instead of dance challenges and comedy skits, these children sit in front of smartphone cameras for hours, pleading for virtual gifts that translate into real cash. And the worst part? TikTok itself takes up to 70% of the earnings, profiting from what many are calling a modern-day digital child exploitation ring.

This revelation has sent shockwaves through Kenya and beyond. But the bigger question is: Who is really responsible—TikTok, the parents, or a broken system that has left families so desperate that exploiting their children online seems like a viable survival strategy?

Social media platforms have transformed lives in Kenya. TikTok, in particular, has become a pathway to fame and financial success for many young creators. From viral challenges to comedy skits, the platform has given Kenyan youth an unprecedented global audience.

However, not all trends are innocent. The promise of quick cash has created a dangerous loophole—one where children are being pushed to exploit their own suffering for financial gain. It started with adults using emotional stories to gain sympathy online. But now, parents and middlemen have found a new way to cash in: children begging on TikTok live streams.

Is this just another example of the internet reflecting real-life struggles in Kenya, or is it something far more sinister?

BBC Unmasks Child Exploitation Through Tiktok Livestreams: What the Investigation Revealed

The BBC investigation uncovered a disturbing reality:

Children, some as young as 10, are spending hours livestreaming, begging for donations.

They are coached to use emotionally charged language—crying, pleading, and exaggerating their suffering to encourage donations.

The money comes in through TikTok’s “gifting” feature, where donors send virtual gifts that can be converted into cash.

The app takes up to 70% of the money, leaving families with only a fraction of the earnings.

Who is pulling the strings? Is this simply poor families trying to survive, or is there a larger, coordinated operation behind these broadcasts?

Who Profits From This Child Exploitation?

Whenever money is involved, there is always a deeper story. The real beneficiaries of this scandal aren’t just the families or the children—it’s the social media giant itself.

TikTok profits massively from these livestreams, taking the lion’s share of the money.

Parents, desperate for income, encourage their children to continue streaming.

Middlemen may be involved, training children to maximize earnings.

This isn’t just a random case of struggling families using social media for survival—it’s a business model where multiple parties profit.

The Parents’ Perspective: Poverty or Greed?

Some defend the parents, arguing that poverty has forced them to exploit their own children. When jobs are scarce and survival is uncertain, is it really surprising that some parents see TikTok livestreaming as a lifeline?

But others question: At what point does desperation turn into outright exploitation?

Are parents genuinely struggling, or are some just using their children as digital cash cows?

Is this any different from traditional child labor, or is it a more sophisticated form of online child trafficking?

If it’s truly about survival, why aren’t these families seeking other legal alternatives?

This ethical dilemma sparks heated debate—one that Kenyan society must urgently address.

TikTok’s Response: Empty Promises or Real Change?

When confronted with the findings, TikTok issued a generic response, claiming to be “working to remove exploitative content.” But is that enough?

Let’s be honest—TikTok’s algorithm encourages viral content, and emotional videos drive engagement. If an image of a child crying brings in millions of views and donations, does the platform really have an incentive to stop it?

Despite its policies banning child exploitation, TikTok’s enforcement is weak at best. If it was serious about protecting children, why did it take a BBC investigation to bring this issue to light?

The Kenyan Government’s Silence: Complicit or Clueless?

Where is the government in all this? Kenya has strict child protection laws, yet these livestreams have been happening in broad daylight.

Why hasn’t the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) cracked down on TikTok’s exploitative practices?

Are local authorities ignoring the problem because it doesn’t affect the elite?

Could corrupt government officials be benefiting from social media’s unregulated digital economy?

The silence from Kenyan leaders is deafening. If this was happening in a developed nation, the response would be swift and severe.

The Role of Western Donors: Do They Know They’re Being Played?

Many of the donations come from well-meaning Western TikTok users who genuinely believe they are helping struggling African children.

But are they unknowingly fueling a system that encourages child exploitation?

The psychology of online giving makes people feel good about themselves, but how often do they question where their money actually goes?

Are they being manipulated by emotional marketing tactics, just like those infamous “sponsor a starving child” ads from the 90s?

What responsibility do donors have in ensuring their generosity isn’t making the situation worse?

The Media’s Role: Sensationalizing or Seeking Justice?

BBC’s investigation was necessary, but why did it take a foreign media outlet to uncover a problem happening in Kenya’s backyard?

Is Kenyan media too afraid to tackle big tech platforms like TikTok?

Are local journalists deliberately avoiding stories that expose child exploitation?

Or is the issue so normalized that it wasn’t considered newsworthy until an international organization stepped in?

If Kenyan media truly served the people, this scandal should have been exposed long ago.

Is Africa Becoming a Hub for Online Child Exploitation?

Kenya is not alone in this. Similar cases of child exploitation through social media have been reported in Nigeria, Uganda, and Ethiopia.

This raises serious questions:

Is Africa becoming a testing ground for unethical social media trends that wouldn’t be tolerated elsewhere?

Would TikTok allow European children to livestream their poverty for donations?

Is this part of a larger digital exploitation crisis that governments are failing to address?

If we don’t act now, what’s next?

What Needs to Change: Solutions or Just Another Hashtag?

Exposing the problem is not enough—real solutions are needed.

The Kenyan government must enforce stricter digital child protection laws.

TikTok must be held accountable for profiting from child exploitation.

Kenyans must demand change instead of waiting for international media to expose issues.

Will action be taken, or will this be just another outrage cycle that fades in a week?

Where Do We Draw the Line?

The fine line between poverty and exploitation is getting thinner every day.

Should TikTok be banned in Kenya?

Are parents victims or enablers?

Will anyone be held accountable?

What do you think should be done?