TikTok and other video platforms introduce anti-addiction mode

Some of China’s favorite online video platforms have been ordered to stop getting teenagers addicted. So far, 53 platforms offer anti-addiction features, including 24 live streaming platforms. When trials started in March this year, the biggest names in Chinese video streaming were participating: Bilibili, Kuaishou, Tencent Video, Baidu’s iQiyi, Alibaba's Youku and TikTok, known in China as Douyin.

These platforms now offer options to turn off certain functions like private messages, bullet chat and content sharing. Another function will stop kids from showering live-streamers with their parents' hard-earned cash… which has been known to reach nearly US$75,000.

China takes a tough stance when it comes to how kids spend their time online. Battling internet addiction is a big part of the country’s gaming industry, where some game makers have gone as far as checking players’ identities against a police database.