For several months, the hashtag #Laminutestudente on TikTok has allowed certain precarious students to earn a little money.
Lasting one minute, their videos don't show anything in particular and most of the time, nothing happens.
A simple message is added in the description or directly embedded on the video and which, in essence, says: “by watching this video for a minute, you allow me to earn something to eat”.
This hashtag took on its full meaning for Chloé, a 3rd year sociology student in Bordeaux.
“During the Christmas holidays, I spent my time on TikTok, I postponed the submission of my dissertation.
I saw a TikTok with this hashtag in the description of the video.
I immediately understood the concept and I said why not me,” says the student.
“Every month I have more problems”
Same thing for Chérila, a first-year operational commercial management student on a work-study basis in Lyon, who was going through a difficult period financially before starting to make videos using this hashtag: “Problem with Caf, reimbursement of friends, deposit to pay … The problems kept coming.
Every month, I have more problems,” she explains.
In its latest study, the leading student union, the Federation of General Student Associations (Fage), states that 41% of students surveyed say they need a job alongside their studies.
“Working while studying is seen as normal by the general public, but it has a lot of consequences.
It is an employment which is not chosen, but endured,” explains Sarah Biche, vice-president of the federation.
On TikTok, video creators can obtain remuneration under certain conditions and therefore not earn a salary alongside their studies.
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For the two students, the hashtag is important.
“It can help students who don’t have the opportunity to work outside of class.
In sociology, for example, I have flexible hours, but my schedule changes all the time.
I don’t know if mentally I could have classes, revise the exams and meet my needs,” says Chloé.
She adds: “People can watch the one-minute video or not, it’s their choice.
Just by looking at it, they can help students pay for their groceries.
That's crazy.
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“Some acquaintances, classmates and work friends, told me that I was pitiful”
Cherila
For her part, Chérila noticed a certain kindness from people on the social network.
“I received some little tips in the comments.
I was recommended the Too good to go meal baskets, to go see the traders at the end of the markets,” she says.
Very useful advice for the student.
“But in real life, certain acquaintances, classmates and work friends, told me that I was pitiful, that it was embarrassing,” she testifies.
“I am in a situation where no one can help me.
The best thing for me is that we can watch a video on the internet without people having to pay anything.”
“There is a form of solidarity on the hashtag, they all see themselves in the same struggle and comment among themselves.
It’s very intelligent, but sad,” observes Lydia Menez, TikTok section manager at Loopsider and specialist in topics related to the platform and its ecosystem.
Conditions for getting paid on TikTok
For the moment, Chloé and Chérila have not yet earned any money thanks to the application, but they are not discouraged.
To claim remuneration from the Chinese giant, several conditions must be respected.
The site states that you must be of legal age, have at least 10,000 subscribers, have 100,000 video views in the last 30 days and "publish authentic content created by themselves that demonstrates our mission of 'inspire joy and creativity'.
Read alsoMaëlle, a scholarship student living on 100 euros per month, returns to her cry of warning
Chloé started posting with #Laminutestudent on December 31st.
“I had 300 subscribers at the start.
As of January 14, I have a little over 4,000 subscribers.”
For someone who launched a YouTube channel at age 10 and would like to develop her community on TikTok, “it’s a good starting point so that later, I can do what I love.”
Maybe this will allow me to achieve my goals,” she explains.
In the long term, the student plans to continue doing more TikTok.
“I was surprised that people supported me, I almost cried, because the users encouraged me, it’s something that can help me in the future.
My friends are fully behind me.
There is the courage to expose oneself.
I'm not afraid of what people might say about me.
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Vanessa Lalo, psychologist specializing in digital practices, wonders about how to put yourself forward.
“Should we put ourselves on stage, crying?
It arouses emotion, but there can be a lot of positive and negative repercussions.
For young Maëlle, it worked, but just because it worked once doesn't mean it will work for everyone.
She also received a lot of criticism.”
Highlighting student precariousness
If this new TikTok trend will not solve student precariousness, it can shed light on it.
“It’s also a way of making ourselves heard as students,” explains Chérila.
“When we see the number of videos made with the hashtag, we see how many of us are students and insecure.
You have to experience this situation to understand it.
Many classmates do not understand why “I show myself” on the internet,” she explains, adding that student precariousness “goes far too unnoticed.
We should not be ashamed of this situation, it is a reality, it is not a pleasure.
If we end up showing ourselves on the internet, it’s because we really have no other solutions.”
“It can be a springboard to find a job or develop skills, but what if everything stops?
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Vanessa Lalo, psychologist specializing in digital practices
“The influence and internet professions have become professions in their own right today, some can also see it as a way of creating experience while being paid.
TikTok is not restrictive regarding hourly rates and class hours, unlike traditional student jobs,” concludes Sarah Biche.
“It’s worrying, but young people are adapting with what is available to them,” explains Vanessa Lalo, psychologist specializing in digital practices.
“What is worse between working for a company that has values that are not in line with the student or wanting to be paid by a platform, being in line with yourself and taking time for yourself ?
“, asks the psychologist who adds: “You have to pay attention to TikTok’s economic model.
It can be a springboard that allows you to find a job or create skills, but what if everything stops?
For now, there are good salaries, but for how long?
Maybe we'll have to go back to work in a Fast Food restaurant.
It can hurt your self-esteem.
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