People filming themselves while providing small acts of kindness, have turned creating a following and generating advertising revenue into a profitable business. However, these influencers are exploiting the less fortunate, and it's time we put a stop to it. The so-called 'kindness videos' audiences see often include influencers giving minimal food or a trivial sum of money to those less fortunate, while the majority of funds generated from the video go straight into the influencer's pocket. It is a sad reality that the individuals being 'helped' in these videos often remain on the streets, living just as precariously as before.

In fact, a study from the University of Southern California revealed a sharp increase in these exploitative videos during the Covid-19 pandemic. This serves to illustrate the extent of the problem. Furthermore, research from the same institution demonstrated that these videos generate approximately 5 times more views and, consequently, revenue than regular content. Worryingly, this suggests a system that incentivises and rewards exploiting the plight of the less fortunate for public entertainment.

In response, we call upon our government to make it a crime for social media influencers to exploit homeless and struggling individuals to increase viewership and generate income. It is time to see real change in the world of social media. It is time to secure justice for the people exploited in these videos. Profiting from another persons’ suffering must come to an end. Join us in supporting this crucial cause by signing this petition.