Live streaming sites must cap viewers' tips

An online anchor uses her mobile phone to do live streaming. [Photo/Xinhua]

A WOMAN IN HANGZHOU, East China's Zhejiang province, recently found her husband stole 30,000 yuan ($4,361) from her Alipay account and 10,000 yuan from her bank account to pay gratuity to live streaming website hosts. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Monday:

It may seem like it is a person's right to give their own money to the hosts of live streaming websites if that is what they want to do. After all, surely it is their decision whether to tip the hosts or not, and how much to tip if they do. However, it is not that simple.

As a matter of fact, these web shows and online games have similar features that lead to addiction. Of course the main responsibility for controlling their addiction falls upon each individual, but the platforms should also be put under scrutiny and not divorced from regulation and supervision.

Xinhua News Agency reported that these websites attract ordinary users to play and pay. Do the platforms impose restrictions on minors? Obviously, there are many traps.

Many years ago, popular radio stations used to lure users to phone in so they unknowingly paid high telephone charges. Later, the relevant departments introduced regulations that gradually eliminated this practice.

At present, the payments made by their audiences are the most important source of revenue for the network broadcast platforms. There should be some restrictions to make sure this income is obtained without violating the law or morality.

However, the relevant departments and society, along with the parents of minors should also provide guidance so that people rationally participate in online entertainment activities and ensure such broadcasting is above board both morally and legally.