Image Source: Visual China

BEIJING, May 9 (TMTPOST) — China is moving to ban minors from tipping influencers on livestream platforms, according to the guidelines on regulating tipping on livestream platforms and the protection of minors released by the National Radio and Television Administration and three other government departments.

It is pointed out in the guidelines that livestream platforms lack accountability in the status quo and that many issues centering on the character of livestreams and tipping have arisen on livestreaming platforms. According to the guidelines, the lack of regulation and supervision on livestreaming platforms has led to an addiction to livestream shows among minors. Many minors have participated in tipping livestreamers. It is stated in the guidelines that minors’ mental well-being has been severely harmed, and many social problems have been generated as a result.

The authorities have pointed out in the guidelines that minors should be banned from tipping on livestream platforms and becoming a livestreamer. It is stated in the guidelines that livestreaming platforms should prioritize developing a special view mode for users under 18 years old and establishing a dedicated service team for minors. Livestreaming platforms should regulate their tipping function and tipping chart, according to the guidelines.

It is clearly stated in the guidelines that livestreaming platforms are prohibited from providing cash top-up service, gift purchase service and online payment service for minors. Livestreaming platforms are not allowed to provide livestreaming service for minors under 16 years old. Platforms should acquire consent from the guardian of users between 16 and 18 years old to provide them with livestreaming service.

Under the guidelines, livestreaming platforms are required to cancel all tipping charts within one month upon the release of the guidelines. Livestreaming platforms are prohibited from ranking and recommending their livestreamers based solely on the tips they receive. It is not allowed to rank users based on how much they have tipped either.