'Keeley needed support - she was exploited for social media likes'

TikTok personality "Sheffield Keeley", who often sang in videos, has died in Sheffield city centre

The head of a homelessness charity has accused social media users of "exploiting" a vulnerable woman for entertainment before her death.

Known online as "Sheffield Keeley", she had become well-known for dancing and singing in TikTok videos filmed by members of the public before her death aged 34 this week.

Tim Renshaw, chief executive of the South Yorkshire city's Archer Project, said of the videos seen millions of times: "Just for likes, that's what it comes down to. They exploited her just for likes."

A spokesperson from Tik Tok said the firm had reviewed videos on the platform and "removed those found to violate our policies".

In a blog posted earlier this week on the Archer Project website, Mr Renshaw wrote that the 34-year-old "was given money to be on social media, to swim in fountains in the middle of winter or dance in an inebriated state like a performing clown".

Tim Renshaw, CEO of homeless charity The Archer Project, says social media users exploited Keeley 'for likes'

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Renshaw said Keeley was a "hugely vulnerable character".

"She needed alcohol every day, she could not say no to that source.

"The voyeurism is what I'm most offended by, people filming saying how wonderful she is but they valued her for her entertainment factor, not as a human being.

"She needed love and support, not someone taking videos and posting them online."

In the social media clips, Keeley appears to be under the influence of alcohol while singing.

Mr Renshaw added that social media companies "can be a source of joy" but should "take responsibility" for their content.

"It is obvious that some vulnerabilities are ridiculed, whether that's scantily dressed Friday night revellers being filmed inadvertently flashing their underwear, or someone more obviously incapacitated through drink and drugs.

"I also think reportage and ridicule are relatively easy to distinguish. But platforms thrive on watchable content."

In a statement to the BBC, a spokesperson for Tik Tok said: "Our Community Guidelines set out what is and isn't allowed on TikTok. This includes policies on bullying and harassment, which we do not allow on our platform.

"Tens of thousands of talented safety professionals work alongside technology to help keep TikTok safe, including by identifying and removing content and accounts that violate our Community Guidelines"

"We also encourage our community members to use the tools we provide on TikTok to report any content or account they believe violates our Community Guidelines."

• If you have been affected by issues raised in this report you can find more help and support via the BBC Action Line.

South Yorkshire Police confirmed that a 34-year-old woman had been found unconscious on Arundel Gate before news of the death broke.

A 47-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance and she had since been released on bail while inquiries continued, a force spokesperson said.

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