For Western, social media has provided a source of purpose and created a community for him online after he became homeless at the age of 13 and lived on the streets until he was 17 and bought a trailer which he now lives in.
A Perth content creator, known online as Homeless Entertainment, claims that a recent social media ban for users under 16 is jeopardizing his financial stability. The 18-year-old, who spent much of his adolescence living on the streets, says platforms like TikTok were a lifeline, but changes introduced on December 10 last year have drastically reduced his income.
Prior to the ban, Western was earning between $100 and $400 weekly through TikTok, primarily from livestreams. However, since the restrictions came into effect, his viewership has plummeted, impacting his earnings significantly. “Right before the ban happened, my livestreams were getting between 100,000 and 800,000 views. Right after the ban, I’ve gone down to 500 views on a livestream,” Western told PerthNow. “I’ve stopped being paid, and I’m now struggling to get food and stuff like that.”
The Impact of the Ban
Western estimates that 50 to 60 percent of his audience was under 16, a demographic that can no longer access his content due to the new regulations. While he acknowledges the presence of adult viewers, he emphasizes that younger audiences were more interactive, which significantly contributed to his content’s reach and engagement.
Western’s criticism of the ban is not directed at the need for protection but rather at the approach taken. “I think instead of forcing these younger people to get off social media for their protection, we should have gone to the social media platforms themselves and told them to ban addictive features, improve moderation, and make it so these kids don’t get adult content on their feeds,” he argued.
Social Media: A Lifeline for Western
For Western, social media has been more than just a source of income; it has been a vital support system. Having become homeless at the age of 13, he lived on the streets until he was 17, eventually securing a trailer to live in. “I can fully say with confidence that social media has saved my life countless times,” he said.
Even before becoming a content creator, Western found solace in online communities. “When I was younger, I would also use social media because if I’m being real, I wasn’t the most popular kid, I did get bullied. I would turn to social media to find support groups and help with that, and that really helped me throughout my youth too,” he shared. “I feel like the youth should have the option to find support groups like that.”
Looking to the Future
Despite the current challenges, Western remains optimistic about his future in content creation. He aspires to become one of the “biggest” creators while maintaining a strong connection with his audience. “I want to be the people’s streamer. You see a lot of content creators who think they’re Gods. I want to be the person people can look to and be like, he’s just one of us,” he expressed.
This development follows a broader debate about the role of social media in young people’s lives and the responsibilities of platforms to protect their users. As Western navigates these changes, his story highlights the complex relationship between digital platforms and their users, particularly those who rely on them for both community and livelihood.
Meanwhile, experts continue to discuss the balance between safeguarding young users and allowing them access to supportive online spaces. The implications of such bans are far-reaching, affecting not only content creators like Western but also the broader digital ecosystem.
As the conversation evolves, Western’s experience underscores the need for nuanced policies that consider the diverse ways individuals engage with social media. The move represents a critical moment for platforms to reassess their strategies and for users to adapt to an ever-changing digital landscape.
