Street vendors are going viral, but some TikTok trends are perpetuating harmful stereotypes about their work, rather than fostering real support for workers. Instead of exploiting their struggles for views, here’s how you can use TikTok to genuinely support street vendors in ways that can positively impact their lives and create meaningful change.

#1 – DON’T exploit street vendors for entertainment and views

If you open TikTok right now and type “street vendor” into the search tab, you’ll be surprised to find many videos featuring street vendors crying with titles such as “Purchasing everything from elderly street vendors so they can go home!” or “I surprised a struggling street vendor with a brand new house & $10,000 ❤️”.

Although these videos might seem like creators are trying to support street vendors, the way that street vendors are portrayed as people in desperate need of assistance is troubling and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. This portrayal overlooks street vendors’ self-reliance and problem-solving abilities. The real issue preventing many from escaping poverty lies in harsh laws and policies that hinder their ability to access formal employment and then punish them as informal economy workers, subjecting them to harassment and denying them social protection.

It’s essential to portray street vendors with dignity, avoiding sensationalist content reminiscent of “poverty porn,” which exploits their struggles for entertainment. Videos showing individual suffering fail to address the systemic issues vendors face, such as lack of licenses, loans, or protection from harassment. The solution lies in organizing vendors to collectively negotiate for better conditions, not in giving handouts or monetizing videos showcasing their struggles for self-promotion.

#2 – DO showcase their work, stories and voices to support street vendors

Creators on TikTok can also be a force for good when they showcase the work of street vendors. In some cases, videos of street vendors’ food have gone viral and helped them grow their businesses. In Kenya, street vendors’ videos on TikTok have helped the local food scene go global. By leveraging social media, street vendors can showcase their products to a wider audience and increase their income.

Another case that captured worldwide attention was the street vendor in Los Angeles using TikTok to feed homeless people living on Skid Row. After gaining a following by recording himself cooking, street vendor Christopher Bailey encouraged his followers to donate so he could cook hot dogs for people living in the encampments and even inspired other street vendors to do the same. As Bailey was previously homeless himself, it is a way to give back and help the community.

Besides amplifying street vendors’ work on #FoodTikTok, you can also support organizations of street vendors directly and share their content. StreetNet affiliates such as Street Vendor Project, based in New York City, and ZCIEA, from Zimbabwe, use TikTok to give visibility to the collective struggle of street vendors, to mobilize for support and to build a community online.

#3 – DO denounce violations of street vendors’ labor and human rights

Street vendors often suffer from police harassment and it is not uncommon for workplaces to be destroyed, either intentionally or due to negligence. Many street vendors have been hurt and even killed during so-called “clean-up” operations. However, because of stigma and prejudice against vendors, these kinds of violations are not always recorded or taken seriously.

That is why videos of the Kantamanto market burning down or of police officers harassing vendors in Brazil are important records of ongoing attacks on the working conditions of street and market vendors. Although we should always take necessary steps to attest the authenticity of the videos and protect the privacy of the individuals, they can be a tool for accountability.