Fears over online 'gifting' after claims it may have been contributory factor in a suicide

‘Gifting’ was introduced by TikTok in 2019 as a way for TikTokers to monetise their popularity by allowing viewers to show their appreciation by buying virtual ‘gifts’. 

A virtual ‘gifting’ feature on social media has not been explicitly included in Coimisiún na Meán’s Draft Online Safety Code, which is designed to protect the public from various harms. 

This comes amid claims made in online posts that financial debt racked up as a result of 'gifting' may have been a contributory factor in the recent suicide of a Munster woman. Fears have also been expressed by one expert that the app risks encouraging addictive or compulsive behaviour in users.