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For many years, abandoned structures have attracted individuals who venture inside despite the risks and legal restrictions. These explorers often describe their actions as attempts to document the hidden beauty and history of crumbling buildings before they are demolished. Urban exploration, or “urbex,” has existed since the early days of the internet, with enthusiasts sharing photographs and stories on online forums before advancing to video content on platforms such as YouTube.
Originally, those involved in urbex considered themselves urban historians, even though their activities typically involved trespassing. However, the BBC has noted a shift in the community, with a new, younger generation influenced by the rise of short-form video platforms like TikTok. This younger group, often children, appears less concerned with historical significance and more motivated by the chance to gain social media fame, frequently putting themselves in harm’s way to become influencers.
TikTok maintains guidelines prohibiting content that promotes dangerous actions or those likely to be copied with harmful consequences. Yet, a number of videos depicting explorations inside a deserted asbestos factory in Greater Manchester remain on the site. These include clips uploaded by minors, such as a boy who confirmed to the BBC that he is under 18. Owners of the factory have issued warnings that trespassers risk inhaling asbestos fibers, a cancer hazard. Police have also appealed to parents to alert their children to the dangers posed by venturing into abandoned locations. Urban exploration also continues, albeit less prominently, on Instagram, though its parent company, Meta, did not respond to requests for comment.
The BBC identified several TikTok accounts run by boys under 18 showing explorations of various deserted places across the North West, including power stations, slaughterhouses, care homes, bunkers, and private residences. Liam, now 18, began filming urbex content in Merseyside at the age of 12. He told the BBC that the hobby’s appeal among minors has grown substantially in recent years. Unlike the more detailed and historic voiceover-led videos seen on YouTube in the past, current content tends to be short, low-quality clips created by children “just messing about.” Liam’s own TikTok features abandoned factories, nightclubs, schools, and hospitals, and he stresses that he does not break in or vandalize sites.
With 4,200 followers, Liam has been inspired to study photography in college, hoping for a future career in television or film. Still, he is aware of the dangers and legal risks involved. He expressed concern that the growing popularity of urbex on social media has encouraged younger trespassers to
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