Every Christmas growing up in Minnesota, Jimmy Dart’s parents gave him $200 in cash: $100 for himself and $100 for a stranger. With over 12 million TikTok followers and several million more on other platforms, philanthropy has become his full-time profession.
Darts, whose real surname is Kellogg, is one of the most prolific providers of “kindness content,” a type of social media film dedicated to assisting strangers in need, frequently with funds raised through GoFundMe and other crowdfunding platforms. An increasing number of creators, including Kellogg, give out thousands of dollars – often more – on video while encouraging their massive followings to donate.
“The internet is a pretty crazy, pretty nasty place, but there’s still good things happening on there,” Kellogg told The Associated Press.
However, not everyone appreciates these videos, with some viewers describing them as theatrical at best and exploitative at worst.
Critics believe that it is inappropriate to record a stranger, often inadvertently, and share a video of them online to earn social media clout. Beyond clout, content providers can profit from the views they receive on particular videos. Kellogg and his contemporaries frequently earn enough money to work full-time as content creators when their views reach millions of people.
‘Kindness’ Influencers On TikTok Give Money To Strangers. Why Is That Controversial?
As one of the most prominent critics of “kindness content,” comedian Brad Podray, sometimes known online as “Scumbag Dad,” crafts parodies to illustrate the flaws he sees in this content — and its proponents.
“Many young people have a highly utilitarian worldview. “They only think of things in measurable terms: ‘It doesn’t matter what he did, he helped a million people,'” Podray remarked.
Recording procedures raise ethical concerns.
From the recording gear and procedures to the subject selection, “kindness content” exists on a continuum, just like everything else on social media.
Some creators approach others and ask for guidance or a favor; if they bite, they get a prize. Others opt to praise strangers who do a good deed. Kellogg completes a “kindness challenge,” asking a stranger for something and repaying it in like.
Many of these strangers are unaware that they are being filmed. Some producers use hidden cameras to discreetly record subjects. Kellogg stated that he wants to be as “secret about it as possible,” but requests permission to share the video following the interaction. Kellogg stated that most people agree since they look “like a superhero” after completing his challenge.
Josh Liljenquist, another humanitarian content artist, said he uses a GoPro camera and attempts to make a recording “extremely noticeable,” adding, “Consent’s the biggest thing.”
Regardless of the recording method, some people view the practice as predatory.
“These guys always find someone with cancer or always find someone who can’t pay their bills because they’re stalking through underserved and poor areas and they’re just sort of waiting,” according to Podray. “Looking through the parking lot like, ‘He looks pathetic enough’.”
Karen Hoekstra, marketing and communications manager at the Johnson Center for Philanthropy, investigates TikTok-based influencer philanthropy and believes the films sometimes exploit their subjects.
“The model of the man on the street walking up and approaching a stranger and handing them money is — we’ve all heard this phrase, terrible as it is — it just strikes me as poverty porn,” Hoekstra told CNN. “It’s exploitation.”
Calls for exploitation are common when filmmakers feature the same persons in repeated videos, particularly if they look to be homeless or addicted to drugs. Liljenquist routinely features certain persons and describes them as his “best friends.”
One user commented on an Oct. 5 video that Liljenquist’s latest content appears to be “playing case worker for views,” as he aired multiple films of a woman who followers believe is battling with drug addiction. He tapes himself bringing her meals, driving her around in his Tesla, and asking her questions, frequently resulting in one-word responses.
Liljenquist stated that criticism does not disturb him because he knows his intentions are good.
“I love these people,” he said. “They love me.”
Absence of checks and balances
Some criticize the showmanship of “kindness content,” yet visibility is critical for the concept, which is primarily reliant on crowdsourcing. Kellogg is notorious for starting GoFundMe fundraising for his video subjects, which typically generate tens of thousands of dollars in viewer donations.
Kellogg, Liljenquist, and many more producers accept donations through their accounts on payment applications such as Venmo, CashApp, and PayPal.
Tory Martin, the Johnson Center’s director of communications and strategic partnerships, stated that transparency regarding donations is “not an option if it’s just going to an individual.”
Although these producers are not subject to the same standards and regulations as NGOs, Liljenquist believes donor monies travel far further in his hands than in traditional organizations, which he describes as “designed for failure.”
“Nonprofits — not all of them, there are some good ones — but I would just suggest you do your homework on the nonprofits that you are giving money to because there’s a good amount of them who take advantage of the system,” stated the governor.
Some inventors have established nonprofit organizations or foundations to fund their work, but this is not a common practice.
‘Kindness’ Influencers On TikTok Give Money To Strangers. Why Is That Controversial?
Podray stated that he is “100% sure” that certain creators “take a rake or that there’s some sort of nonsense going on.” He also claims some creators provide bogus money to capitalize on the craze.
Kellogg said witnessing fake or exploitative videos is difficult for him, and he worries, “My gosh, every Facebook mom just fell for this and thinks it’s real.”
New Wave of Philanthropy
While these films have sparked criticism in some online circles, they are part of a massively popular social media trend that has millions of admirers and thousands who feel motivated to donate after watching.
Although Hoekstra is concerned about certain producers’ techniques, she believes the exposure to charity giving these movies provides for young people is beneficial.
“Anything that can present philanthropy to them in a new way and make it accessible and make it exciting I think is a good thing,” according to her. “Obviously, there’s going to be a learning curve, but I think it’s really exciting to see philanthropy be so accessible and understandable and embraced in these new spaces and in new ways.”
Some skeptics have turned into supporters. Kyle Benavidez said he used to believe “kindness content” on social media was false. However, after his mother was featured in one of Kellogg’s latest videos and a GoFundMe Kellogg set up for her to earn over $95,000 to help their family while her husband was in the hospital with cancer, he stated that Kellogg’s online persona is genuine to his real-life personality.
“There’s a chapel in the hospital, and I go there every morning to pray.” ‘I hope something happens.’ “And then Jimmy came into our lives,” Benavidez, 20, explained. “It’s like God sent him.”
Kellogg shows no signs of slowing off his charity work, posting videos on his social media accounts practically daily. Still, he believes that doing good on camera is only important if he and his peers continue to do it when the cameras are not rolling.
“You can fool people all day and you can make money and do this and that, but God sees your heart,” according to him.
SOURCE | AP
