TikTok Shop began as an online marketplace to buy and sell products. It started off as an innocent marketplace, with items like clothes, makeup, and household products all prevalent in its early days. But after two years of the TikTok Shop, the products have become more eclectic. Every other video is advertising something, from supplements to ‘anxiety’ pens. But there’s a growing concern with the safety of the online market.
Anyone Can Sell, And That’s the Problem
TikTok shop allows sellers to create a storefront to sell their products. The issue is that anyone can create a storefront, list whatever they want, and advertise it however they want. Also, because of its accessibility, people of all ages can use any of these products. There is such a heavy influx of items that regulation is almost impossible. This has led to all kinds of products being sold.
Dangerous Products With Zero Checks
I’ve even seen vapes and alleged ‘THC’ pens up for sale, with, of course, no minimum age required. Even though TikTok has certain rules and regulations against the sale of certain products, the moderators cannot regulate everything. On top of that, many sellers have become creative with their ads to get around bots, making it that much more difficult to control.
Unregulated = Unsafe
The issue is not only the accessibility to kids. Because anyone can sell on TikTok shop, products that have not been tested are able to be sold, and many consumers are unaware of the dangers of this. Things like makeup, skincare, supplements, and even food. Anyone can put anything into the products they sell, and there is nothing checking them. Most of the products being sold are not FDA-approved or guaranteed safe.
A Growing Black Market for Gen Z
And the problem is only continuing to grow. TikTok is the new black market, and I believe the issue will only get worse as the online store gains more and more popularity. The shop is dangerous because it is not as harmless as Facebook Marketplace. TikTok has an extremely larger audience of children than Facebook, as well as fewer age restrictions. The online store needs more control, as well as much stricter product and age regulations.