I truly feel bad for the millions of kids who spend their free time watching other people's lives on a screen instead of going out and living their own

"We're the Beyoncé and Jay-Z of social media." bro I don't know who you are

I know it sounds very "get off my lawn" of me to say this, but I truly feel like social media is destroying a generation of our youth. I'm thankful that it didn't exist for most of my childhood. It encouraged me to do important things like reading instead of incessantly scrolling TikTok. That algorithm is strong and gets me sometimes as an adult. I am fearful for what that is going to do to the development of Gen Z.

- What's your niche? - I blink

Would love to see a life update on these young adults 10 years from now.

being with these people would literally kill me

Can you imagine watching these people in your free time? That's insane that people actually do that.

It's sad how talentless performers get more fame and wealth while indie hardworking performers struggle but get by slowly...

I'm worried for people who are getting influenced by these influencers 😩

The most Dad journalist is actually asking the right questions and is amazingly receptive. Kudos to this dude

US congress banning tik Tok thus ending these kids careers LOL

The word 'influencer' is a desperate effort to artificially label a not so notable person as significant.

"Selling out is no longer an insult, it's the goal". Crazy to think that's the world we live in.

as a teen who’s on tiktok a lot, it’s so bizarre seeing them actually plan out such simple videos 😭

Tiktok ban incoming. These kids about to wish they stayed in school 😂😂😂

Mid-range millenial here. It's just so crazy how adults my age remember what life was really like before any social media. Hard to really put in words.

When the "manager" talks about the genZ moving in to married life, childern etc. That got me really concerned over the kids that will be born to these TikTok personalities with a camera shoved into there face 24/7 and there life shared all over the internet. I can definitely see Vice doing a documentary on the damaged kids from this in 10-20 years. Its honestly sad

I’m conflicted about this trend, sure college isn’t for everyone and not everyone graduates, but that experience still seems healthier than exposing young people to the psychological harms of celebrity

Honestly, I don't blame the people making the content. I respect the hustle. The problem is the audiences who are actually obsessed with this content, rather than experiencing life physically.

"The transitory nature of a human billboard." THANK YOU!! This is EXACTLY, almost word for word what I have said for a long time now. I love to dress up. I love to do my makeup and put on pretty clothes. I have been told by MANY people that I could be an influencer. I had someone say "There are influencers doing less." and I tell them that "I would rather die. I refuse to be a billboard." I have used the term "human billboard" for a while. I am a musician. I want to be seen as a musician. Not some mannequin. I want to be seen as a living, breathing human being with value outside of the way I look, and the way I dress. I actually was told I should work on boosting my socials before I release music, and I made an honest effort. I tried to stay true to myself and keep up. It just wasn't going to happen. It made me stressed so quickly because it isn't who I am. It was a betrayal to my own boundaries and values, even though I wasn't putting anything up that from an outsiders perspective, would go against who I am. It was all stuff I would have in my phones gallery, so why not? Because those moments aren't meant to represent me. The way I dress is a form of art. I love it! but I refuse to be "The girl who dresses up, oh and she makes music." Once I release music and have something out there that DOES represent me, it may change a tiny bit... But I could never do what these kids are doing. I am glad they are making a living and enjoying themself, but I wouldn't want that for myself.

I'm glad these people are doing what they love. I'm equally as glad that I don't need to worry about them coming for my job in 15 years.

I'm 23 y/o old as of recently and i feel alienated towards this whole social media influencer wave. It all seems so artificial and temporary.

I love how the guy is like 35 and acts like he never even used the internet before

"Selling out is no longer an insult; it's the goal." No thanks.

The marketing lady is terrifying. Those aren't people to her, those are moneymakers.

HVAC technician here. To all of the people out there working diligently, thoughtfully, and honestly, don’t ever for a second forget how important you are. Even thought you’re not getting a constant dopamine rush from your 2.7m followers in your dms, always remember that you’re not alone. Myself and many others are grateful and humbled by what you do. You are the silent warriors that fight every single day with body and mind to keep this world going round.

Don't skip school for anything kids. Even if it seems too hard, we are here to help. No shame. No bullying. Just knowledge and empowerment!

as a sixteen year old who spends an unfortunate amount of time on TikTok... idk who these people are

Honestly kierra made the most sense when she said "it's making people immature bc we're living like adults but we're not" I'm kinda sad at what our generation is gonna be known for

the ability of this man hurling insults across someones face and getting away with it as a joke is astonishing

1 year later and I’ve never seen these kids on tiktok

Why are they all wearing weird contacts 🤣

The problem is the following: 1. TikTok will fade into irrelevance as did other platforms. 2. The fans of them will get older and will get disinterested. 3. They will get older. 4. Just chasing trends does not provide any value. They will become irrelevant it is just a matter of time.

What's lost on the majority of these kids is that their window of opportunity is tiny, but in the moment they think it'll last forever. Inevitably, life is going to hit them like a ton of bricks.

Blame in the proper order: 1) Their parents for failing 2) the idiots for watching their garbage 3) the greedy investors for propping up this garbage app

With the cost of tuition... I don't even blame them. It works if you guys actually hit it big, live below your means, and KEEP REINVESTING!!!

The age of influencers has honestly given rise to a class of people who think they are entitled to fame and happiness by not doing anything. It seems idiotic, strange but most importantly it is dangerous.

I like how the manager is the one that went to college. And actually understands marketing concepts

Im a medical professional and still not being paid enough. These days, education don't guarantee anything. Just do what you're passionate about and money will follow.

I've been using TikTok for over 4 years and literally haven't seen a single video like those showed here.

Imagine a kid introducing their parents, 'Yeah, my father does tiktok for a living' 😊

This reporter is good at his job. He doesn’t really know anything about the subject but there’s something in his manner that allows him to get open, honest commentary from every interviewee.

This is 2 years old and still haven’t heard of any of them.

I love how they thought this would last. THANK YOU CONGRESS!

I can't blame the kids for going this route because they are in their young and attractive years and can make a ton of money. College does not always equate success and I know blue collar guys who made good money and bought houses in their 30s. My problem is how a market like this even exists. The fact that so many people sit around all day and watch pointless TikTok videos that it generates this amount of ad revenue is more disturbing.

Peepeepoopoo.

They're not influencers, they're just models for selling products. Get off social media kids.

I need a life update on them now that Tiktok is banned😂

I'm an architect and I promote myself on Tik Tok. You don't have to skip studies to use technology, you can study technology and use it to improve as a professional and as a human being. Life is not just dancing.

The word "influencer" exists because these people cannot pinpoint their skill or contribution to society. If they could, they would be called writers, painters, architects, composers, filmmakers, scientists, professors, doctors - i. e. the people who actually influence the world and better the life of mankind.

"To be honest I don't like working hard - I like just being myself, to an extent, even though you kinda have to fake it" This is true happiness.

As someone who has two Master's degrees, I think they're on the right path. Student loans are suffocating and there's no guarantee you'll land a job. They are learning a business model while doing what they enjoy. Nothing wrong with that.

For them, high school will never end. And that’s terrifying. Part of integrating into adult society by working and studying is maturing and being able to contribute civically to your community in order to better society and yourself. The income itself is not necessarily going to accomplish this, but socialization and mentoring can help you through life.

Refreshing journalism. Great how he showed up as a curious, imperfect person rather than as a generic storyteller.

BAN TIKTOK FASTER

I'd love a 1 year, where are they now video.

Out of every 1 TikTok success story, they don’t tell you that there are millions of kids out there who are not successful and who put off college and education, with the hope to be semi-famous. Get off of the Internet, and get outside, save humanity🙏🏾

Unfortunately the things these kids don’t learn are skills like critical thinking. A part of me admires their desire, sometimes talent, and drive but a lot of it seems very juvenile and immature. It’s bad enough during these times we’re dealing with so many adults who are ignorant uneducated with no critical thinking skills. I’m not saying all these kids have this problem but it does seem to be fertile ground for mindless materialism. All they seem to care about is making money and being famous. Sounds like the mental health industry is going to be booming in the coming decade.

That guy was a great journalist. He wasn't condescending to the subjects that are a lot younger than him.

The harsh reality is that the reason they get so much followers and views is mostly ppl are attracted towards their looks and mostly sexual attraction.

This interviewer is 100% a comedian, he had me laughing through this entire segment. - if I downloaded the app there would be an amber alert - that’s the population of Ireland - I have no idea what they are doing right now 😂😂😂😂😂

as a 17 year old , i can say one thing, never in my life ever will i choose to be someone like this

After tiktok ban they will be homeless

i love this guy's dry humor sense

Honestly, these so called "INFLUENCERS" are influencing the society into wrong direction. Education is important not just for a person's benefit but also for the society's benefit.

As a Gen Z, I'm disappointed at my own generation. It's sad, honestly

i'm surprised but relieved to see many ppl of the new generation aren't getting sucked in by social media. Streaming is a lot more widespread in asia, and I've seen the endgame of those who don't make it.

Anyone who grew up in LA can tell you this has been happening since the myspace days even. So many kids at my high school dropped out because they were going to be a rockstar or a dj, or they were popular on mypsace for being attractive, or they wanted to be a movie star and we were right by Hollywood. Very few of them have had lasting careers. Although I do know some exceptions.

He makes a good point. What happens to you at 60 if you wasted your 20s making tik tok videos? Maybe you could use it to launch a business, but realistically how many of them are really going to have built up the skills and experience to do this and succeed? It already sounds like their "agent" is exploiting them, and they don't even know any better. I'm not saying they're all naive, but it's easy to loose your way in a status driven place like that.

I want a “Where are they now”

the reason i never downloaded tiktok

I'm gonna be honest, I think this is the worst possible decision a young adult could make. You are placing your livelihood, your basic needs, in the hands of an uncontrollable algorithm. You may argue, "Well, KZfaqrs do basically the same thing, how is that any different?" With KZfaq being longform content, creators cultivate and nurture a community that flocks to them for their specific niche. If KZfaq somehow crashes or shuts down or changes, these creators can very well move to another platform while maintaining the same audience base. With this type of "content", you are making nothing of your own. None of your own dances, songs, even showing off your personality. No community is created around who you are besides maybe your looks, which will fade with time. What are these kids going to do when they're 27 and start to get wrinkles? Or aren't the next newest, youngest, prettiest thing? What are they going to do when the advertisers at TikTok and their marketing teams refresh the platform, and change the algorithm to suit longform content, or original creation? This lacks foresight entirely, and is a decision that could only be made by those who are doomed to never fully mature. The people who are really smart, who really SHOULD be doing this, are those in the documentary who are using TikTok as supplemental income, actually creating original content of notability, or as launch boards for secondary careers. edit: if you're about to comment "who gets wrinkles at 27": www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/skincare/types-of-wrinkles

As a millennial I feel like such a boomer right now.

I feel dumber watching these kids, I want my brain cells back

I’m just here after congress announcing a possible tik tok ban. Lolz

I'm so glad I was born and grew up in the 90s. I could not imagine having these kids mindsets and thinking what they do is cool.

There's something so undeniably sinister about this lifestyle... especially from the perspective of these "managers" and people like that woman who recruits and runs these houses. The way she talks....ugh. like a "prison warden" like he said

Peak narcissism in the U.S.

Once Tik Tok gets banned then they would be like damn.....not I will have to get a real job! 😂

I honestly can’t blame myself for being an introvert and not wanting attention. Social media is trippy.

The more you spend time on social media and seeking validation the more depressed you will be.

2 years later i have still never heard of them 🤣🤣🤣

Getting this in my feed when there is news of potential ban on Tiktok in US.

vice should do a follow-up about these kids in 5 years. I wonder if social media propels them to new success and new heights of fame or destroys their mental health. I am guessing the latter.

I’m not into TikTok but from what I’ve seen, the best content is from people who have careers and share their skills on the platform, like cobblers, or chefs. I’ve never understood the appeal of generic people just being good looking and making posts of themselves…existing…

Tik tok being banned will be funny af 😂😂😂😂

This whole social media TikTok creator house looks like a real life Disney show.

Definitely a short term plan. They'll make a ton of cash when they're young, but like all child stars, they'll likely fall into irrelevance. And from there, they'll either find a new purpose or spiral into depression.

I am so glad Vice's reporter speaks and behaves the way he does in this. An adult concerned with the reality of the world in a room full of 'large children'. This is madness and he's right in his assessments. None of these people have any notoriety in the world for anything meaningful or useful to the benefit of mankind. They're just vessels for advertisement and that type of pseudo hidden advertising is the chief reason to avoid social media 'stars'. They're always selling something, even if you don't recognize it. Avoid it at all costs. Avoid people like this at all costs.

"I like being myself, to an extent, even though I kind of have to fake it". Ok, makes sense.

Here for the comments after TikTok ban.

I mean as cringe as it is, I can’t blame them for taking that opportunity. Especially at such a young age. Just seems like it’d be pretty detrimental to personal development. Curious what this will look like in 5 years. Also the interviewer’s deadpan humor was 👌🏻

people like kiera are refreshing. speaking honestly about the lack of love and passion she has for her job, and having further goals outside of social media. good for her, im glad to see some people being extremely realistic towards the life they live now.

she really said "that's hard work" bruh

They look exactly like the type of kids I imagine saying they wanna be tik tok famous or a KZfaqr when they grow up.

As someone who's been on social media since high school, giving it up was probably one of the better choices I made in life. It's all people chasing validation.

The thing that sets these influencers apart from actual celebrities is that their career is much more fragile. The algorithm could suddenly stop recommending their videos and they'd immediately lose everything. It's a soul-sucking, stressful, and above all, an extremely risky industry that very few actually succeed in. Even then, you don't know how long that success will last.

I can't wait for this app to finally be banned.

I love how this comes up when you search "People ruining their lives"

I mean.. lets be honest.....Will college really help these people in the first place? Like are we all gonna pretend these people were gonna become lawyers and doctors if only they stayed in college instead. In my opinion this is just freeing up space for people who actually wanna go to college to make something of themselves