TikTokers stop vaping because to worries over mining in Congo Cobalt

 TikTokers stop vaping because to worries over mining in Congo Cobalt

Numerous young individuals are pledging on TikTok to stop vaping and giving up e-cigarettes, but not for health-related reasons.

In a video that has received over 15,000 views, five-year vaper Mika Ndango said, "I am giving up vaping in an attempt to help [the Democratic Republic of Congo]."

The 21-year-old promises, "My sister just took my last vape, so I'll be documenting my process of quitting vaping here."

The primary global supplier of cobalt, an essential component of lithium-ion batteries used in various types of e-cigarettes, electric cars, and cell phones, is the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), a nation in Central Africa.

In addition, the UN claims that it is now experiencing one of "the world's largest humanitarian crises" and is home to over 100 million people.

The mineral-rich east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has long been home to dozens of armed factions, and according to UN figures, the number of people forced to escape their homes this year as war increased has reached a record 6.9 million.

Targets include civilians as well; just this past week, 14 people perished at the hands of alleged Islamic militants.

Social media users are questioning the part played by foreign customers and firms in the challenges facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo as word of the current turmoil spreads.

"A TikTok [video] was how I first learned about the effects of cobalt mining in Congo," Ms. Ndango, an American, told the BBC.

"After seeing that TikTok I did my research on the topic."

According to a September Amnesty International study, international corporations that mine copper and cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have displaced whole towns by force.

Amnesty International also discovered violations of human rights; for instance, a number of people claimed to have been assaulted by Congolese troops and refused to leave their houses.

Furthermore, on the basis of data from kids mining cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the US Department of Labor included lithium-ion batteries on its "list of goods produced by child labor or forced labor" last year.

"Thousands of children drop out of school and work in appalling conditions to produce cobalt for lithium-ion batteries," according to the government.

The statement "When parents are killed by landslides or mine collapses, children are orphaned and have no choice but to continue working" implies that whole families are able to work in the cobalt mines of Congo.

Ms. Ndango acknowledges that it might be challenging for internet activism to result in long-lasting change locally given the scope of the endeavor. He claims that his films will, at the very least, increase awareness.

"You're never sure what changes they may be able to make on the other end of the phone.

"I think I can raise awareness, and social media is a really effective tool for communication, so why not use it?"

In fact, videos featuring Ms. Ndango and other TikTokers making vaping cessation promises have garnered a lot of attention. One of the most popular, made by @itskristinamf, has had over 1.7 million views.

Numerous TikTok users have commented on Ms. Ndango's own video, saying things like, "You're not alone. Just began doing the same thing" and "We're in this together, girl, I stopped today."

However, such internet activity is seen as a "double-edged sword" by Christoph Vogel, author of Conflict Minerals, Inc.: War, Profit, and White Saviorism in Eastern Congo.

It might bring significant concerns to the attention of a large audience, he told the BBC, but it could often only do so by "massive simplification".

Mr. Vogel, the UN Security Council specialist on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, states that "mass human rights violations, including child labor, are taking place in the context of cobalt mining – posing a significant health threat."

However, this is standard procedure in mining generally, so blaming it only on cobalt would be inaccurate.

While "pro-Western sentiments and the herd intelligence of online users dominate the narrative," online activism also runs the danger of severing the agency from the people it seeks to assist.

I think Ms. Ndango agrees.

"People are oversimplifying things to fit the 60 seconds they have when spreading awareness online, even though there are so many layers to the issues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo."

Despite her regrets, she exhorts people to "use their power for good" and notes that those most impacted by cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo lack the tools to share their tales together.

"One post can reach the entire country," she continues.