If you are like me, you have some favorite channels on social media sites that you really look forward to watching! Have you ever felt like a channel is misrepresenting their situation, maybe they are fluffing up the details of a struggle story or perhaps they are talking a whole lot about needing things? I’ve come to realize that in the world of making content, there lurks sharks in the water.
I recently wrote an article mentioning the concept of Internet Begging and the audience it seems to target. In this technology era, it has become more normalized to misrepresent one’s situation in an effort to trick the Viewer out of something. It can be hard to make it in today’s world. And even harder to spot predatory behavioral patterns. However, when a favorite channel or influencer speaks on struggle and is then gifted basic items that could be picked up at a dollar store, I wonder if a scam tactic has been used.
Anyone interested in gifting their favorite social media personality a special gift, please consider the following: Manipulation Tactics. Listen closely to what the person says and try to spot the manipulation tactics some may use to get your money. Creating content online can be a wonderful way to earn a living. Some do it the “clean” way. Others may not.
Make sure to read between the lines before providing gifts to anyone you do not personally know. There are many people struggling but not all of what is seen on social media is true. I hope you are vigilant in your efforts to determine for yourself if who you listen to or watch is being honest with you. Stay safe!
I know exactly what you are talking about. There are certain content providers that seem to exaggerate their situation and make things seem much worse than they actually are. I used to watch a lady, who shall remain nameless, who has a channel relating to homemaking, gardening, preserving, etc. she has a bright and cheerful personality and I was enjoying watching her videos. Then I started to notice a pattern where sometimes, it seemed almost like she was asking people to send her gifts, without actually saying the words. People were sending her gifts, boxes of things, gift cards, etc. Something about that just struck me as wrong. It didn’t feel right to me. She opens the gifts in her videos and oohs and has over everything for the camera. Almost encouraging others to send her things. It’s never direct, it’s always subtle but still, it’s there if you pay attention. Personally I would never send a perfect stranger a gift, but I think lonely people are attracted to the viewer relationship with the content provider. I’m not saying it’s wrong, if you want to do that, it’s your business, but I would think carefully before making such a move .
That’s a good point. Individuals decide what’s best for them, if they want to send a gift but at the same time, if the situation is being curated in a way to induce charitable behavior from the Viewer, that is problematic. I think it’s a good idea to look at a person’s behavior over a span of time, to determine if they are what they say they are. It disturbs me to see anyone, but especially senior citizens, targeted into being generous towards someone that may be dishonest.
Oh yes. Internet sharks are real. I’ve subbed from channels because I suspected that was going on. The requests seemed staged, were frequent and over the top. Not only that, it was crazy to see the amount of stuff they were sent, along with cash and gift cards. I can see why people might fall into the trap of doing something like that. It just grossed me out. Great article!
Thank you for reading my article! It is getting more challenging to identify who is being honest! I think I know what you mean on requests seeming staged for things like presents, cash or other gifts. It disappoints me when I notice someone taking advantage, especially financial advantage, of a senior citizen. I wish there were higher standards for content creators to uphold. Because it’s been normalized, it seems that so many folks try to get senior citizens to send them money or gifts.
will not let me subscribe = karen jones
Hi Karen! To Subscribe, you may want to restart your device, be logged into your email account then hit the Subscribe button. I hope that is helpful. Please let me know if it works!
I have stopped watching a lot of my favorite channels cause I hear begging and I’m the only one who does without . I just stay a prayer cause they are not alone. It just doesn’t help to tell the world all your troubles ,cause the world is so full of trouble everyday. Prayer is my way of getting thur these days.
Prayer is the best gift! A lot of people struggle financially. Those right in the middle of that struggle do not need to fix the financial struggles of others. Thank you for reading my article!
People also prey on people’s feelings for money. I unsubscribe to those. The best I can do to help a channel is to like and subscribe.
You’re right about how to help a channel by liking and subscribing! It sure does help out a whole lot. Thank you for reading my article!
I find this interesting. You state people are more than likely scamming viewers if they are making a wishlist of basic essentials which could be bought at Dollarama or Dollar tree. Yes they could be. However, has it crossed your mind that they may not have the funds to purchase these items. I have sent gifts and bought items from Wishlists for the couple of channels I follow. I do some due diligence in the channels creator prior go this. I will personally email them and try to get to know them better. What happened? How can I assist them? By sending motivational emails? Etc. A lot of these channels are not monetized.
There is one YT channel that got shut down due to a complaint. It was Saby’s World. I do not know if youvknow this channel. I sent her Amazon gifts and buy things from her Amazon Wishlist. I was able to get to know her so well that we would have zoom video calls. She is very transparent. She should me her home, children, and opened up to me about her past. Her mental health and physical health struggles are real. She is not scamming anyone. Yet her channel was shut down because someone complained she was.
Whatcyouvarecsaying can and will be misunderstood. Innocent people who need help will be refused. Someone like Saby who would speak on each vlog will be looked at like a scammed.
On the otherhand, those channels where the people are receiving an enormous amount of food should be looked at. There are a couple channels I can thing of immediately like this. That is shameful. No one needs boxes upon boxes of food from the food banks.
Now, this brings me to my final thing, not all food pantries are made equally. Just because one provides truckload to people does not mean the next one in the same area does as well. That is why people ask for help. With essentials and things. If you don’t have money to buy your child toilet paper or toothpaste then why is it so bad to ask for it On a wishlist. It’s not.
I think I wanted enough.
Thank you for reading my Blog. I understand your concern in the way that I determine for myself if I believe or do not believe a person’s need for basic items. I’m not readily familiar with the channel that you mentioned, however, as you described your experience, it sounds like you took several steps to determine for yourself how you wanted to proceed. Ultimately, I hope that’s what more people do: determine how best to proceed according to what they choose. Thank you again for reading my blog and have a great day.