Police Experts Warn of Children Livestreaming Pornographic Content on TikTok for Gaming Funds
Children as young as five years old are reportedly livestreaming pornographic material on TikTok to raise money for popular video games such as Fortnite and Roblox, according to alarming warnings from police experts in the United Kingdom. A detailed document compiled by the UK Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Covert Intelligence Team has exposed a disturbing trend where paedophiles are using the social media platform's virtual gifting system to pay minors for explicit content, which can later be converted into real cash.
Exploitation Through TikTok's Gift System
The report highlights that paedophiles, often operating in large groups of up to 10,000 individuals, exploit TikTok's 'gift' feature to reward children for performing twisted acts. These acts include tasks like handstands while wearing skirts, which are then broadcast live. The police force expressed deep concern that self-generated child pornography and self-harm content is not only being created but also monetised through the video-sharing app, with TikTok accused of enabling and even promoting online sexual abuse rather than merely facilitating it.
Link to Gaming Platforms and Escalating Risks
Specifically, the investigation pointed to gaming platforms like Fortnite and Roblox, where children have been observed selling content in exchange for virtual currency. This dangerous practice can escalate to involve the most explicit sexual acts performed by children during TikTok livestreams, which paedophiles then record and redistribute. The police warned that such scenarios can lead to blackmail and extortion by sex offenders, exposing the participating children to extreme and humiliating abuse that can have long-lasting psychological impacts.
Political and Regulatory Response
The revelations come as the House of Lords committee prepares to examine whether social media should be banned for individuals under the age of 16, following similar measures in Australia. Baroness Kidron, who was provided with the OCCIT document, shared her dismay with peers, noting that the evidence made her parliamentary assistant feel physically ill. She criticised both the government and the opposition for failing to address the issue effectively, accusing them of allowing it to spiral out of control through political manoeuvring.
TikTok's Stance and Ongoing Investigations
In response, TikTok stated that it had not been formally notified of the OCCIT's findings but emphasised that its law enforcement response team is actively collaborating with police and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. A spokesperson for the platform asserted that child sexual abuse material is strictly prohibited on TikTok, highlighting significant investments in proactive detection technology and specialist teams designed to combat exploitation and deter predators through deliberate design choices.
