TikTok: Sending gifts – what you need to know

by Tobias

On TikTok you have the option of sending gifts to other TikTok users, which then earns them some money. To do this, you need to know that this feature is completely optional and if you’re not careful, large sums of money can quickly be made.

TikTok – this is how gifts work on the platform

With gifts you support content creators on the social media platform TikTok. However, in order to use the gifts function, you first have to spend money to top up your own account with so-called TikTok Coins.

  • TikTok Coins are the in-app currency that you can use to buy gifts to support other users financially. You buy them either via the browser version of the app on your PC or using your smartphone directly in the app. Since fees are charged to Google or Apple via the smartphone apps, the company recommends buying coins via the web version, as you pay less there.
  • To top up Coins, go to your profile icon, which is in the top right-hand corner of your browser. In the second place in the menu that opens, you should now find the link to the Coins page. Once there, select the number of coins with which you would like to top up your account.
  • Once you have bought the desired amount of coins, all you have to do is go to the video of the TikToker and select the gift symbol in the comments section at the bottom right of the text field. Not every TikTok account has the option of receiving gifts, so it is quite possible that the TikToker you prefer does not have a gift icon in the text field.
  • For livestreams on TikTok, you will also find the gift icon at the bottom of the screen. Here, it will even be visually displayed in the livestream when you have sent a gift.

TikTok – these are the dangers of sending gifts

As with other in-app purchases, there’s a danger when sending gifts on TikTok that you’ll quickly run into expenses.

  • With the compulsory purchase of in-app currencies like TikTok Coins, your own perception of spending money is affected. You don’t feel like you’re spending hard-earned money, but a digital currency that often doesn’t mentally have the same weighting as real money. Through this method, it can happen that the inhibition threshold of spending money decreases and people reach into their pockets more.
  • Children in particular can be strongly influenced by this, as they often lack a general understanding of topics such as finances and the value of money. Many livestreams also aim to encourage viewers to send gifts, which can also easily influence children. Parents should therefore talk openly with their children about the topic and educate them.
  • Another problem is that there is often no overview of how much money one has already spent on TikTok Coins. It is therefore advisable for parents to manage the purchase of TikTok Coins and gifts for the children themselves or to stop it altogether. They should also make sure that the bank details are not stored in the app to avoid accidental purchases of the Coins.

Related Articles

Leave a Comment