DS 17, who's deluded- me or him??

Take him to your local army recruitment office;you can join us to do a trade

If he is not in education, he needs to find part-time work.

instead of arguing with him about tik tok, tell him his rent is going to be 30% of a full time job at nmw for his age. If he wants to go back to school, you can talk about a different arrangement.

also stop taking care of him at home and give him a light rota of housework. Adults contribute to the home. If he doesn’t meet his obligations, cut off perks like WiFi.

People who make money off social media work hard at it and for them it’s a full time job. They put a lot of effort into their videos, research what works, analyze their viewing data and post content regularly. Is he doing all that? Or does he expect to be the next big thing in the same way people expect they’re going to win the lottery?

”some people” being the operative phrase here.

Even if he does end up making a living off TikTok, it's very unlikely to have longevity.

Of course he needs a reality check. You say he works part-time? Fuck. That. Mine were all told you go to uni, you get an apprenticeship/traineeship, or otherwise you work full-time 40hrs per week (don’t care where). They can then indulge a hobby in spare time outside working hours, and if that were to morph into a full-time job with associated money then all good and well.

If his been posting on TikTok for 2 years and he is only making £50 a month
Unless something changes he isnt going to become viral

People can make £thousands a week on TikTok but nothing is forever or guaranteed
The highest earner on TT was $23 Million in one year and is on the Forbes list but it is very unlikely your son will become a viral sensation

I think it is all tripe in one way but people do make money so I would leave it to them

As long as they manage to study/work and do it as a hobby type thing though

I wouldn't say deluded

these days with the vast array of people you need a certain personality or a specific area that will get more viewers and it can take many many hours, basically yes worth trying

You don't have to kick him out but you should present him with a choice.
Either he pays xx to you each month to cover food, bills etc starting in two months OR he moves out.
That isn't kicking him out - he has a choice. If he wants to stay, he can do providing he is paying his way.

And he is highly unlikely to make a living on tiktok but he won't listen to you on that so I wouldn't engage much.
Just tell him he has two months to prepare for paying for his food and bills - he can earn that through tiktok or working more hours in retail but it is his choice.

No one is deluded here, because some people do make a living from making videos online, but it should not be something he is relying on because if it doesn't end up happening, he might become bitter and regretful of the time he spend trying.

If he doesn't like school that's fine, he can try an apprenticeship or learn a trade. He can still make videos while doing it.

What does he make videos of?

He is now working part time in a supermarket and looks down his nose at his colleagues. He can't believe that this is their life!

First of all, I would read him the riot act over this kind of attitude. How dare he look down on anyone making an honest living, and FYI to the little prince, he works there, too, and will for the foreseeable unless he gets his shit together.

Having said that, I would support his TikTok dream IF he is taking it seriously and working his arse off to earn it. It takes a lot of determination to be an "influencer", (hate that word), and it isn't just going to magically happen. Perhaps there are ways you could learn about this together so you can support him. While supporting him, you can also be honest with him about the realities of achieving TikTok stardom.

Give it some time then encourage him to take an apprenticeship in digital marketing. His minimal success thus far on TikTok will give him something to discuss in the interviews.

There are loads of Apprenticeships available.

I have a slightly older relative on a slightly different platform doing similar. If you can’t experiment at that age, when can you, but it would be good if he could do an apprenticeship along side it.

He is employed which is something so I’d give him a deadline, say New Year or Easter, by which he is either making a living or sorts out of it (unlikely) or gets an apprenticeship and does it alongside that