Chinese regulators have banned minors from live-streaming and sending virtual gifts on Livestream platforms. As per the new rule, users aged under 16 are completely banned from live streaming while users between the age group of 16-18 can seek their parents’ permission and live stream.
The decision to ban minors on live-streaming platforms has been taken by China’s regulators to protect both their mental and physical health. This move is expected to affect companies including Kuaishou Technology and ByteDance Ltd. The rule has been issued by four regulators, including the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAA), and the National Radio and Television Administration.
Earlier this week, the central government hinted that it would finally enclose a year-long crackdown on China’s internet industry. China’s internet industry is known to be the world’s largest e-commerce market which has created various multinational technology companies including Tencent Holdings, and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. Following the announcement, the decision of banning minors from using live-stream platforms came out.
Chinese regulators in a statement said that internet platforms should forbid offering minors some services like gift purchases, cash top-ups, and online payments. Also, they demanded to implement the real-name registration requirement strictly.
Chinese regulators have been protective towards its youth for long
In 2021, big tech firms deployed a feature ‘youth mode’ to protect teenagers from getting addicted to gaming and inappropriate content. Now, the regulators have asked these firms to upgrade and improve this youth mode feature. Along with this, they also want various platforms to employ dedicated youth content censorship teams and close down youth mode user activities after 10 pm. This has to be done to ensure that the youngsters get enough time to sleep.
Last year, China’s regulators made a strict rule for all the youngsters under which they were only allowed to play online games for three hours a week. This proves that China has been protective and strict toward its youth.
