Tag: #tiktok

One in three young people learn about money on social media

One in three (34%) post-primary students now learn about money on social media, and one in seven (16%) don’t feel comfortable asking for help with money-related questions or concerns, according to new research published by MABS (Money Advice & Budgeting Service). The findings will be presented today at a Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) event at Croke Park, to open Global Money Week.

The CCPC, as the national coordinator for Global Money Week, will bring together educators, students and representatives from the world of finance to recognise and celebrate the valuable work being done to build financial skills in young people.

MABS will present the findings of their Money Matters Survey, which found that while young people continue to demonstrate strong digital engagement and a growing sense of responsibility towards their personal finances, important gaps remain that require sustained attention from policymakers, educators, and researchers.

  • Over a quarter (26%) of students don’t know how to use an ATM
  • TikTok has strengthened its dominance as the primary social media platform used for financial information/learning (72%), however,
  • Parents and family members remain the primary source of financial learning (73%)

More than 150 students and their teachers from 20 schools across 13 counties will also attend the launch event to share their innovative financial literacy projects, which were sponsored by the CCPC’s Our Money, Our Future programme.

In 2024, the CCPC launched the Our Money, Our Future programme, which invites post-primary schools and Youthreach Centres to apply for sponsorship up to €1,000 to support students in developing their own financial literacy initiatives and resources, based on topics and themes relevant to them. Over 10,000 students from 23 counties around the country participated in the programme in the 2025/26 school year.

Brian McHugh, Chair of the CCPC, said:

“Students in Ireland today are showing a real sense of financial curiosity; we can see this in the research conducted by MABS and through the high-calibre projects that students are creating through the Our Money, Our Future sponsorship programme. However, important gaps remain. It’s up to policymakers and educators to try and close these gaps, which is why events like the Global Money Week launch – that bring together so many groups from the world of finance – are so important.”

Karl Cronin, North Connacht and Ulster Regional Manager at MABS, said:

“The insights from this year’s Money Matters research show that young people have strong financial curiosity, growing digital engagement, and a real sense of responsibility for their finances. When that curiosity is supported with early, practical financial education, it builds confidence that lasts into adulthood. The results also highlight gaps that need continued focus, and MABS is committed to helping bridge those gaps by supporting initiatives, such as Global Money Week, that strengthen financial learning for young people across Ireland.”

The launch event at Croke Park will be attended by representatives from the world of finance also involved in Global Money Week, including An Post, Association of Teachers of Home Economics, Banking and Payments Federation Ireland, Brokers Ireland, BSTAI, Central Bank, Competition & Consumer Protection Commission, Department of Finance, Department of Education and Youth, Euronext, Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, Institute of Banking, Insurance Ireland, Insurance Institute of Ireland, Irish Funds, Irish League of Credit Unions, Junior Achievement Ireland, Life Insurance Association, Maths Week, Money Advice & Budgeting Service, Oide, Revenue.

For more information on the Our Money, Our Future programme, please see here.

Appeals Centre Europe’s First Transparency Report Shines Light on Social Media Mistakes

The Appeals Centre’s first Transparency Report (covering November 2024 to August 2025) highlights the urgent need for independent review of social media decisions. The report shows that where platforms make mistakes, people pay the price: from unjust account suspensions cutting people off from family and friends, to vital health information being removed, or hate speech against vulnerable communities being left online.

More than three-quarters of our decisions overturned Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube – either because we disagreed with their decision after reviewing the content, or because the platform did not send us the content and we ruled in the user’s favour. The majority of these decisions promoted freedom of expression by recommending that a user’s content or account be restored. 

Across the EU people are standing up to social media companies by challenging their decisions:

  • We received nearly 10,000 disputes about decisions by Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.
  • These came from every single EU country, covering content in more than 50 languages.
  • Of these, more than 3,300 disputes were within our scope, for which we have already issued 1,500+ decisions, with the rest expected in the coming weeks.
  • Since November we have expanded to account suspensions and new platforms (Instagram, Threads, Pinterest) to allow more people to use our service.
  • We received the most eligible disputes from Poland, followed by France and Italy.
  • We saw an upwards trend in case numbers, with the number of eligible disputes received increasing by more than 500% from December 2024 to August 2025.

Under EU law (the Digital Services Act), social media platforms must engage in good faith with dispute settlement bodies like the Appeals Centre and tell their users about this new option.

  • Today, however, dispute settlement bodies are Europe’s best-kept-secret. Most people don’t know we exist and some platforms seemingly want to keep it that way. This needs to change. Social media platforms should clearly tell their users about this new option on a dedicated help-page and as part of their internal appeals process.
  • More generally, co-operation with platforms has been mixed. Progress with YouTube, in particular, has been very slow. We have received no content from the company, meaning that – by the end of August – we had made decisions on just 29 of the more than 340 eligible YouTube disputes submitted to us. As such, we are concerned that people and organisations using YouTube in the EU are being denied meaningful access to out-of-court dispute settlement.

The CEO of Appeals Centre Europe, Thomas Hughes, said:

“Decisions by social media companies have very real consequences: from denying people a say in important debates, to cutting off a crucial source of income. But – as our Transparency Report shows – they don’t always get it right. If you’re in the EU, you can challenge the platform’s decision free-of-charge to the Appeals Centre and get an expert, impartial review.”

Appeals Centre Europe Starts Reviewing Social Media Account Suspensions

From today, if your account is suspended by Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube – and you are in the EU – you can challenge the decision to Appeals Centre Europe. 

Every day, people find that their social media account has been suspended. So often these  decisions are automated, and users are not told what they have done wrong.  

Being banned from social media affects people’s lives: from losing touch with friends, to  losing precious memories and – in some cases – cutting off a crucial source of income.  

Recently, however, the EU’s Digital Services Act has given people a new right to refer  account suspensions to certified, independent bodies like the Appeals Centre.  

A New Way to Challenge Unfair Account Suspensions 

If you are in the EU and Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or YouTube has suspended your  account, you can challenge the decision to the Appeals Centre free-of-charge. If we do not  think you broke the rules, your account may be restored. 

  1. Click on this link and create an account on the Appeals Centre website.  2. Start a new dispute in our online portal.  
  2. Select “The platform suspended an account that I want restored” 4. Provide basic information, like your username and when your account was suspended.  5. Submit your dispute.  
  3. We request the last piece of content you posted which supposedly broke the rules.  7. Our expert team make a decision and send it to you and the platform. 8. While our decisions are non-binding, platforms are required – under EU law – to  engage in good faith with the Appeals Centre. 

In addition to account suspensions, you can also challenge a social media platform’s  decision to remove your content, or their decision to leave harmful content online that you  think should be taken down.  

What’s Next?  

So far this year, we’ve issued our first decisions, appointed new Directors from across the  EU, co-founded a new network of dispute settlement bodies and expanded our scope to  cover Instagram. This summer, we will publish our first transparency report – with new insights into the cases we have received and the decisions we have made. We will also  expand to other social media platforms later this year.  

The CEO of Appeals Centre Europe, Thomas Hughes said: 

“Losing your social media account is more than an inconvenience, it affects people’s lives in  fundamental ways. Yet – for too long – those with suspended accounts have been stuck  between a rock and a hard place. Before now you could either appeal the decision to the  platform – which often sticks with its original decision – or go to court at great expense.  

Today, however, there’s a new option which is independent of platforms and free-of-charge:  Appeals Centre Europe. So, if your account has been unfairly suspended, do something  about it. Submit a dispute to the Appeals Centre and make your voice heard.”  

3 Mobile Games You Should Play Every Day Instead Of Scrolling Mindlessly

It’s time to face the facts: you live in the doomscroll era of reality. You won’t like admitting this, but a huge chunk of your spare time is taken up by scrolling mindlessly through your phone. You’re not even doing anything; reel after reel starts up, and you barely take any information in. It’s a terrible habit, so why don’t you do something else when you’re on your phone that’s slightly more beneficial? 

Mobile games come in many varieties, and a few of them are perfect for you to play every day instead of mindless scrolling. It’s no secret that playing games for just 10 minutes a day can provide countless benefits – so here are three you should try: 

Strategy Games

A strategy game involves using brainpower to work out how to beat the game – or an opponent. You’re presented with something, and need to call upon your skill to work through it and progress further. Mahjong is one of the great strategy games, along with chess and checkers, all of which are available for free on your mobile phone. 

These games are beneficial because they make you think. You’re not mindlessly tapping away at your screen or scrolling through social media posts; you’ve actually got your thinking cap on and have to be strategic. It can translate to excellent skill development in other areas of your life, too. Many managers like playing strategy games to help them practice things like problem-solving etc. 

Word Games

You can’t go too wrong with word games. Any type of word game will do, as long as it encourages you to develop your vocabulary or think a bit deeply while you’re playing. To be honest, there are loads of NY Times word games like Wordle, Spelling Bee and Letter Boxed that are worth playing for a few minutes every day. You learn new words, but you also get your brain whirring – which makes this genre of games an excellent choice on your morning commute to work! 

Seriously, it’s like you’re warming your brain up for the day ahead, and the games are usually really fun too. Force yourself into the habit of going through a few word games in the morning rather than scrolling through Instagram or TikTok on your way to work. 

Puzzle Games

Some people group strategy and puzzle games into the same genre, but there’s a subtle difference between the two. Strategy games often call upon your skills to outthink an opponent or the computer. Puzzle games give you a literal problem to solve – and you’re usually battling against yourself. 

Obvious games that spring to mind include solitaire, Connections, or even a modern game like Monument Valley. There are oodles of fantastic puzzle games on any mobile app store, so look for one that ticks the right boxes and makes you think. 

Load your phone with the right games and you’ll find yourself scrolling a lot less. The mindless drivel of social media becomes a tiny background noise as you fill your brain with useful information for once. It sounds like such a silly thing to talk about, but you genuinely feel different after playing some good games. It puts you in a better mood while also helping you develop more key skills. 

Almost two-thirds of car TikToks are misleading

Now more than ever drivers are turning to TikTok for guidance and advice for all things relating to their cars. #CarTok has become a booming niche, with over 876 million videos around tips and hacks, interior trends and more for your vehicle [1].

With a growing number of #CarTok videos, Auto Trader, has analysed over 100 TikTok videos to determine whether the advice given should be followed by drivers or should be met with caution.

The #CarTok niches that should be met with caution

81% of car cleaning videos could lead to more damage to your vehicle

After analysing a sample of car cleaning related videos on TikTok, Auto Trader found that 81% contained tips which should not be followed as they could damage your vehicle.

Many of the ‘hack’ videos used household items like toothpaste or coconut oil to remove marks, while others advised drivers to use items such as a mop to clean the exterior of their car. In some cases, drivers were even advised to attach a toilet brush to a drill to remove dirt from their car mat. While drivers might find using common household objects to clean their cars appealing, Auto Trader advises people to always use specialist products to avoid potential damage from harsh chemicals or unsuitable objects.

90% of car repair videos should be met with caution 

TikTok searches for “car repairs” reach a staggering 365,000 searches each month, as an increasing number of drivers are turning to TikTok for help with their vehicles [2]. Many of the car repair videos analysed were from mechanics showing how to professionally fix damages such as car scratches or how to perform a car service. While these videos offer practical advice, these hacks shouldn’t be followed if you are inexperienced as it could lead to more damage in the long run.

The #CarTok niches with the most helpful advice

72% of car maintenance tips are helpful to drivers 

Many drivers may not understand the preventative maintenance checks they can do regularly to spot any issues ahead of time, with drivers increasingly turning to TikTok for advice on car maintenance.

Auto Trader’s research found that 72% of car maintenance videos are helpful to drivers. Many of these TikTok videos were created by professionals offering accurate, detailed and useful advice. Some tips included how to check your shock absorbers, prepping your vehicle for colder weather conditions and how to check your oil and tyre pressure.

68% of driving tips videos are helpful, especially for learner drivers

TikTok is known for its short form content, allowing complex information to be condensed into more manageable chunks. Many of the videos around driving tips are targeted towards learner drivers. 68% of these videos offer practical advice for learner drivers and are often created by driving instructors. They provide practical tips ahead of your driving test or how to know when you’re ready to take your test.

Erin Baker, Editorial Director at Auto Trader comments: “TikTok is becoming one of the go-to search engines, offering inspiration and education content from experienced creators. But drivers should be wary as many videos on TikTok are intended to shock audiences and to gain traction and engagement. We found that a staggering 59% of the videos offer advice that is not recommended to drivers and could potentially leave your vehicle with more damage if followed.”

Lease vehicle owners should be cautious of car hacks they see online. While these tips might offer quick, cost-effective solutions, they can lead to further damage that your lease agreement won’t cover. Although maintenance packages within your lease agreement cover basic wear and tear, drivers are advised to consult professionals to avoid any unexpected charges at the end of their agreement.

.ie Domain Profile Report 2024 shows appeal of owned websites remains strong

The latest .ie Domain Profile Report 2024, launched today, gives glimpse into future economic activity in Ireland, highlighting the value of a strong online presence in response the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The report reveals that .ie continues to hold majority share of Ireland’s hosted domains (54.2%) followed by .com (29.43%) and .uk (7.33%) with a 16% increase in the total .ie database over the past five years, despite marginal decrease in total database vs. 2023 (0.5%).
Both nationally and globally, changes in the way consumers engage with eCommerce (for instance via social media platforms) highlights the importance of establishing a stable digital presence via a controlled and secure website.
Now in its tenth year, the report is an annual exploration of the .ie database and is published by .ie, the national registry for .ie domain names. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities faced by internet users, businesses and government within Ireland’s online ecosystem.
Digital Intention vs. Digital Growth
 
.ie’s flagship Digital Readiness Monitor report published last August revealed that one in three (36%) websites in Ireland have a low or very low level of sophistication. A website and the associated technologies it uses, serves as an indicator of how digitally advanced an organisation is. If the website is modern, functional, and user-friendly, it reflects that the overall approach to digital transformation and investment in technology. It is clear from .ie’s Domain Profile Report, and the Digital Readiness Monitor, that there is strong digital intention in Ireland; however websites are under-developed and digital growth is not yet possible.
In last year’s pre-budget submission, .ie called on government to invest in digital skills as an urgent requirement for SMEs and micro-businesses to compete on a global scale. Following the nomination of the current government it is the responsibility of Minister Jack Chambers, Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, to make grants and programmes more accessible to SMEs to boost export sales through digital marketing and improve productivity through digitalisation.
CEO of .ie David Curtin, emphasizing the importance of driving digital growth has said, ‘Since SMEs account for 99.8% of the number of companies in the Irish economy, supporting their growth and scaling efforts is crucial for a modern future-proofed Ireland.  The .ie Domain Profile Report shows that while there has been a lot of progress made in digital intent in Ireland, there is still a long way to go to convert this to real digital growth. The government must invest more in infrastructure and supports for SMEs to take them onto the next step of digitalisation.’
Overcoming the Digital Divide
The Domain Profile report also emphasises that digital technologies have the “potential to reduce the death of distance” and bridge the gap between rural and urban areas and unlock new opportunities for Irish businesses, regardless of location.  However, the report identifies evidence of an ongoing digital divide based on location, size and sector, in particular for micro-SMEs with fewer than 10 employees.
According to Eurostat, rural areas are falling behind when it comes to digital literacy across the European Union. In Ireland, 35% of people living in rural areas and 37% of people living in Irish towns and suburbs reported having above-basic overall digital skills, while 46.5% of the Irish population living cities reported having these skills.
The digital divide does appear to be lessening in commuter areas such as Kildare, Meath and Limerick where new .ie domain registrations continue to rise, however Connacht and Ulster largely recorded a decline in new registrations in 2024. .ie want to work with government to lessen this divide and ensure businesses can thrive and prosper online regardless of location.
Importance of a Website and Omni-Channel Approach
There has been a notable decline in domain creations on a global scale. CENTR, the association of European country code top-level domain (ccTLD) registries, has highlighted notable shifts in recent years, particularly post-Covid. One potential reason for domain registration decline may be due to a recent surge in social selling – where social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok now have eCommerce capabilities on the app.
Reuters reported in December last year that TikTop Shop sales had reached $100million last Black Friday as bargain hunting American consumers spent big online.
While social media presents SMEs with an excellent opportunity to promote products and services, the recent US TikTok ban has revealed just how volatile it can be to use social selling as a business’ sole eCommerce platform.
.ie’s David Curtin advises ‘When it comes to building a credible, trustworthy digital presence, websites should be seen as ‘prime real estate’ for any business online. While social media is an excellent tool for increasing visibility and capturing audience interest, these platforms are limited in their ability to build lasting relationships with customers and, more importantly, convert them to sales. An “omni-channel” approach that offers customers more than one way to engage with business is best – where social media is used as a tool to drive traffic to a secure website. It is crucial that SMEs have control over their own eCommerce channels and are not solely reliant on third party selling platforms such as TikTok Shop which has been proven to be extremely volatile over the past few weeks’
A .ie website also provides reassurance for business owners that their main point of contact with consumers is safe from cyber threats as .ie websites boast significantly lower levels of spam and cyber threats, when compared to other top-level domains like .com.  .ie continuously works to reduce the impact of security threats to the .ie namespace. This includes manually reviewing .ie applications; continuous security scanning the .ie database; and ensuring consumer protection protocols are in line with national regulators and agencies.
Additional Domain Database Findings
 
Leitrim recorded the largest percentage growth (+51%) in new .ie domain registrations compared to 2023, followed by Tyrone (+20%) and Meath (+19%). Fermanagh has the smallest number of total .ie domain registrations in the country as just 191 total domains are registered there.
Keywords used in domain registrations continue to provide insight to public interest as Ireland, Dublin, Home, Design and House were among the top keywords used in registrations last year.
Cork pride appears to be strong as the longest .ie website address at 63 characters is corkcorkcorkcorkcorkcorkcorkcorkcorkcorkcorkcorkcorkcorkcork.ie; and the shortest web address with just 4 characters is 9.ie.
The .ie Domain Profile Report 2024 can be viewed here.
More tech news can be found here

Irish Creators TikTok Awards 2024

Irish nominees will travel to London, where the 2024 TikTok Awards will take place on Tuesday, 3 December. You can watch the whole London event on TikTok LIVE on the @TikTok_UK account.

The awards shortlist reflects the diverse range of creators thriving on and inspiring the TikTok community every single day. Whether it’s the sporting icons of tomorrow, rising stars in the fashion and beauty industry, passionate foodies, or breakthrough entertainers, they’ve all found a home on TikTok. Winners will be chosen by the TikTok community, with Irish fans invited to vote for their favorite creators directly on the platform.

Irish nominees will travel to London, where the 2024 TikTok Awards will take place on Tuesday, 3 December. The event will feature performances by Bimini and the Sugababes – ahead of their Irish tour dates next year. TikTok starlets Sarel and Charley Marlowe will host the red carpet and speak to nominees and the winners during the evening. Throughout the evening, there will be bespoke beverages provided by the official drinks partner Pepsi MAX, behind the scenes content from creators and partners and exclusive red carpet interviews from our nominees.

Back L-R: Joshua Nueva [@joshuanueva], Mirenda Rosenberg [@mirendarosenberg], Simone Gannon [@simonescribes], India Sasha [@indiasasha] Front L-R: James Doyle [@jamesdoylefitness], Elaine Fox [Head of TikTok Ireland], Meg Hughes [@meggghughes], Eoin Reardon [@pintofplane]Back L-R: Joshua Nueva [@joshuanueva], Mirenda Rosenberg [@mirendarosenberg], Simone Gannon [@simonescribes], India Sasha [@indiasasha] Front L-R: James Doyle [@jamesdoylefitness], Elaine Fox [Head of TikTok Ireland], Meg Hughes [@meggghughes], Eoin Reardon [@pintofplane]

TikTok Awards – Ireland’s Shortlist 2024

Creator of the Year 🏅– @jamesdoylefitness
Rising Star ⭐ – @dev_skehan
Breakthrough Artist of the Year 🎤 – @jordanadetunji
Voice of Change 📣 – @indiasasha, @thekingofchemo
Educator of the Year 📚 – @mirendarosenberg
Entertainment & Comedy Creator of the Year🎭 – @meggghughes
Sport Creator of the Year ⚽ – @johnnellis_
Fashion & Beauty Creator of the Year 👠 – @simonescribes
Food Creator of the Year 🍳 –  @boredoflunch
High Quality Creator of the Year📱 – @pintofplane
Travel Creator of the Year ✈️ – @joshuanueva

TikTok Awards Ireland & the UK Shortlist 2024 – Full List

🏅Creator of the Year 🏅Presented by Sky

@jamesdoylefitness @ayame.p, @kyramaeturner6, @simonsquibb, @asherglean, @italianbach

⭐ Rising Star ⭐Presented by Pepsi Max

@dev_skehan@thefashionnap, @ayoforthesoul, @georgethedop, @kimberleycumberbatch, @they.them.ri

🎤 Breakthrough Artist of the Year 🎤

@jordanadetunji@leostaytrill, @mylessmithuk, @nxdiamusic, @artemasaltalt, @rachelchinouriri

📣 Voice of Change 📣

@indiasasha, @thekingofchemo@kaynekawasaki, @benjykusi, @becomingjude, @hipster_sunshine

📚 Educator of the Year 📚

@mirendarosenberg @big.manny, @maxklymenko, @sophiasmithgaler, @thehistorygossip, @mattgreen.jgm

🎭 Entertainment & Comedy Creator of the Yea r🎭 Presented by Sky

@meggghughes, @steppingthroughfilm, @stells_press, @theclassicmanny, @zeewhatidid, @nicholas_flannery

⚽ Sport Creator of the Year ⚽ Presented by Sky
@johnnellis_, @confusedindiangirl, @luciecolebeck, @lifeofbradz, @liljr_ltd, @charlierugby_

👠 Fashion & Beauty Creator of the Year 👠 Presented by e.l.f Cosmetics

@simonescribes, @shakeel.murtaza, @yungalyy, @amelia.liana, @uchjn, @iamcharlotteolivia

🍳 Food Creator of the Year 🍳, Presented by Lidl

@boredoflunch, @cripandip, @bignibblescooks, @whatwilly, @johnnykyunghwo, @seemagetsbaked

✈️ Travel Creator of the Year ✈️

@joshuanueva, @live_thedash, @kelseyinlondon, @travellingtuesdays, @kellyprincewright, @handluggageonly

📱High Quality Creator of the Year📱, Presented by Adobe Express

@pintofplane, @yorkshire.fossils, @history_with_amy, @tempahtime, @thep00lguy, @dr.karanr

📼 Video of the Year 📼

@notorious_foodie, @makemeaoffer, @jayforeman, @iconicakes, @maisieisobel_, @itsmaddieclose

Here’s how you can get involved

🏆 Get voting. The TikTok Awards voting Hub is now open. Search ‘TikTok Awards’ in-app to discover more and to cast your vote. You can only vote via the TikTok app! Full T&Cs can be found here.

🎉 Join the conversation on TikTok. Use the #TikTokAwardsUKIE hashtag to share who you’ll be voting for!

📽️ Watch the awards. Want to tune in and celebrate the community? You can watch the whole event via TikTok LIVE on @TikTok_UK on the night.

Facebook and Instagram most identified by public for featuring fraudulent adverts

In advance of International Fraud Awareness Week, research commissioned by Bank of Ireland has shown that 90% of the population believe fraud is a big problem in Irish society, with fake online purchase scams being the most common way for consumers to lose money.

One third of those surveyed said they had been targeted by a fraudulent advert on a social media platform. When these respondents were asked to identify the platform, 65% identified Facebook, 28% identified Instagram, with X at 13%, TikTok at 11%, and Snapchat at 4%.

In addition, almost half (47%) of citizens aged 18+ have seen adverts for investments or crypto currency on a social media platform featuring a well-known personality, politician or musician. The impersonation of well-known people and media organisations is a tactic used regularly in fraudulent ads to trick consumers into fake crypto investments, bond purchases, or savings products.

This can include impersonation of individuals such as President Michael D. Higgins, An Taoiseach Simon Harris, An Tánaiste Micheal Martin, former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Denis O’Brien, Dáithí Ó Sé, Brian Dowling and Tommy Tiernan.  Adverts can also include links to fake websites impersonating RTE, the Irish Independent, Forbes, The Irish News, BBC News, the Irish Mirror, and many others.

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said: “Fraudulent adverts are a blight on social media platforms. These adverts are all about one thing – the theft of money from consumers and businesses by criminals. They cause harm to people, the financial services system, and the economy. 

“Much more needs to be done. One common sense step would be to ensure that online platforms check that adverts are from companies that are regulated to sell financial products and services. The current approach, which is allowing fraudsters run fake ads that impersonate celebrities, politicians, and legitimate media organisations – all with the aim of stealing money – is clearly broken. 

“That’s why Bank of Ireland is calling for legislative change at European Union level so that online platforms will have to verify that advertisers of financial services are regulated to sell those services.”

Findings from the Red C poll among the Irish general public include:

  • Fake advertisements were most commonly seen on Facebook and Instagram followed by Twitter/X (13%), TikTok (11%) and Snapchat (4%).
  • The majority of people (66%) report fraud to their bank, followed by the Gardai (17%)
  • When asked to select all parties they believe responsible for protecting people from fraud in Ireland 66% selected Banks and Financial Services companies, along with the Gardai (51%), mobile phone (39%) and social media companies (39%).  60% of the population believe they themselves have a role.

The research was conducted as part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness among Bank of Ireland customers and the general public around the danger of fraud to their personal finances and how to safeguard against the main causes of fraud. International Fraud Awareness Week runs from Monday 18 November, with a series of communications planned by Bank of Ireland to further raise awareness among the general public around fraud protection.

9 must-try tips to improve your TikTok videos to maybe make it into the top 10 videos next year

Making TikTok videos stand out is key to thousands if not millions of likes or followers. Armed with a smartphone or camera Tiktokers are getting more creative and using technology, like gimbals, to push the limits of creative video making.

The team at ZHIYUN, who manufacture smartphone and camera gimbals, took a closer look at the 100 highest-ranking TikTok videos which used the #gimbal to identify some must-know tips for the creation of eye-catching videos. A gimbal is a gadget that removes camera shake, and gives access to cool templates and filming modes to take Tiktok videos to the next level.

Here are 9 top tips for making those go-viral videos.

1. Light it up

Set the tone, mood and atmosphere with lighting

Lighting is an essential aspect of producing a successful video. TikToker Christian Shay mentioned that lighting is very important, so choose what works best for you. Use proper light control and manipulation for texture, the vibrancy of colour, and luminosity of your subjects.

A handy tool to help you out with your lighting is the ZHIYUN FIVERAY F100 light stick, a portable photography tool with six different lighting effects including fire, faulty bulb, and candle, allowing you to create ambiance and illuminate your subject, day or night.

2. Fake a drone shot

Aerial shots are possible without a drone

“Pushing Forward” is a straightforward shot. Attach your gimbal to an extension pole, tripod, or monopod, extend and raise it over your head, and then begin walking forward toward your subject.

Here shadow sensitivity is key: your extension pole and camera, like a drone’s shadow, can get in the way of the shot. Avoid your shadow in the shot by being cautious when shooting, i.e. don’t shoot with the sun directly behind you.

3. Do the Ninja walk

Get the right walk for that smooth level shot

TikToker Lacapture said that smooth videos necessitate the use of additional skills, such as the Ninja walk.

Keep your knees bent and your muscles engaged but still allow for movement. Now take a step forward and roll your foot gently from heel to ball of your foot while compensating for the small differences in height with your legs.

This will take some practice and may feel strange at first, but your videos will become smoother and smoother with each attempt.

4. Mix it up 

Change up shooting style for added interest

When people get their first gimbal, one of the most common mistakes is thinking they have to use the gimbal for every shot.

Mix it up! If we take our inspiration from movies, most don’t have gliding shots all the time. Most use a shot mixed with still or handheld shots. Take a moment and think about what you want to show with the gimbal shot.

5. Choose your mode

Select the right mode on your gimbal to open up a world of cinematic possibilities

Most gimbals are pretty straightforward and work in a similar way, with a set of modes tailored to specific filmmaking scenarios. Some modes, for example, limit one or more of the pan, tilt, and roll axis movements to make shots smoother and other modes allow you to move in any direction, giving your gimbal complete control.

TikToker Davidddodle shared on his channel that the most commonly used modes with gimbals to help you get to capture some awesome stylised footage include:

  1. Auto face tracking – here the gimbal will lock onto and follow your face without your having to move the gimbal

  2. Inception mode or a 360 degree spin shot

Other gimbal modes often employed are: complete follow, follow pan, locking and view.

Have a play shooting in different settings and find a mode that works for you.

6. Explore dedicated gimbal apps

Apps allow you to explore your creativity

All gimbals come with apps, for example, the ZY Cami app. This app is adaptable and it can provide Tiktokers with an intuitive solution for the creation and editing of video content.

You can let your imagination run wild with a 4K video recording at 60 frames per second.

Or you can choose panorama mode which manages to capture the magnificence of landscapes, while timelapse, hyperlapse, and motionlapse modes add dimensions and perspectives to your video.

7. Time-lapse for a movie feel

Turn your video into a movie scene with motion time-lapse mode.

Many of today’s films and TV shows use this technique to emphasise journeys or the passage of time, and it has always been an effective feature.

Almost all new phones include timelapse features that allow you to create videos that are easily editable and better suited for individual and small-scale content creation. However, using CapCut can elevate your time-lapse videos with advanced editing tools, such as speed adjustments, color grading, and smooth transitions, giving them a more cinematic touch. You can also enhance the storytelling aspect by adding background music, subtitles, or voiceovers to create a more engaging and polished final product.

In general, static subjects won’t help much. Something has to move in the background for it to be interesting.

8. Take control with your gestures

Taking a photo or recording a video is now as simple as making a V peace sign gesture

TikToker Btypep mentioned in his video that by using a gimbal with your phone you can start your videos with hand gestures such as the v-shaped peace sign or presenting your palm forward and it will automatically track your face to start shooting. It can even track your face to make filming easier.

A good starter gimbal to choose for this feature would be: ZHIYUN SMOOTH Q4, a compact stabiliser with an extendable rod for extreme angle shooting. It offers gesture control, as well as slow-motion shooting.

9.  Capture fast-paced action

Moving shots add dynamism

When you film something on your smartphone it’s often a bit shaky, so you can use a gimbal which uses sensors and motors to stabilise and support your phone camera. This is even more important when filming shots with a lot of movement such as your latest dance or sports routines. Dynamic shots add interest and draw in your audience.

A smartphone gimbal such as the ZHIYUN Smooth 5, using your camera’s autofocus and the gimbal’s modes to pan and lock onto your subject one will aid in the stabilisation of your content and the creation of smooth clips.

The ZHIYUN team hopes to have inspired Tiktokers with these tips and urges them to get their smartphones and cameras out to create more inspirational or fun videos in 2023.

Find out more about ZHIYUN gimbals here:

Learn more about ZHIYUN Tech at www.zhiyun-tech.com