On TikTok and Instagram, videos promising to “make money fast” have proliferated to the point of becoming a veritable phenomenon. Challenges, investments, miracle training programs… The formulas always seem the same, promoted by creators who show themselves off in rented villas or in front of luxury cars. According to a 2024 study by the NGO Reset, nearly one in three teenagers in France say they have already been exposed to content encouraging them to invest money without clear explanations or mentioning the risks. This aesthetic of instant success, designed to capture attention, creates a seductive mirage for young people often seeking financial independence.
A parallel economy fueled by algorithms
The success of these videos is no accident. Influencers specializing in "money content" capitalize on short, highly viral formats with aggressive hooks like "Want to quit working at 30?" or "I earned in one month what your father earns in a year." Some claim millions of views and then sell programs for several hundred euros to "learn how to get rich," often inspired by well-known techniques: dropshipping, high-risk trading, and automated sports betting. According to the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), online investment scams have jumped by 30% in two years, primarily affecting 16- to 25-year-olds. The model is based on an illusion: those who actually make money are often... the dream sellers themselves.
Between fascination and vulnerability, a disturbing terrain
The danger also lies in the context: a generation grappling with inflation, low-paying jobs, and the obsession with individual success displayed on social media. Many teenagers interpret this content as a credible alternative to a traditional path of study or employment. Psychologists, however, remind us that these videos blur the lines and can lead to risky financial behavior, or even significant losses. As reports increase, authorities attempt to regulate, but the ecosystem evolves faster than the law. This rhetoric of instant success, which has become a dominant language on the platforms, raises a troubling question: how can we protect young people without cutting them off from spaces they consider their natural habitat?
