China's big, bold social experiment
September 2021
Hello and welcome! 👋
This month, Deep Dive is focusing on China and how its ruling elite are targeting online behaviour among the country’s teenage population.
As always, please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below. Thanks for reading!
MONITORING SCREEN TIME
Beijing’s big red pen is certainly keeping investors, businesses and consumers on their toes. Over the past few weeks, CCP policymakers have introduced regulations across a range of areas, from tutoring to ride-hailing.
The motivations are varied and complex; however, the underlying reasons appear to be tightening the state’s grip on private enterprises, improving data protection, and reshaping Chinese youth culture. Still, the speed with which the authorities have implemented these reforms is staggering, making it hard to assess the social and financial impacts.
Consider China’s booming video gaming industry - the country’s homegrown giants are now being policed by the public as well as the government. In September, the national watchdog created a platform where people can register complaints about companies violating restrictions on game times for children. This followed an order by the central government to limit minors to three hours of online game-play per week, specifically between 8pm to 9pm on Fridays and weekends.
Although the sector is no stranger to the CCP’s critical eye, the harsh rhetoric used by state-run media this summer (“spiritual opium” and “electronic drugs”) was notable. Of course, many institutions around the world share concerns about the effects of video games on mental and physical development - but the CCP’s intervention raises several questions.
Firstly, isn’t Beijing itself guilty of encouraging its citizens to be mobile phone dependent? There are so-called “super apps” designed to do everything from booking flights to messaging contacts to buying groceries. Plus, access to high-speed internet and the proliferation of affordable devices have fostered a generation of digital natives who don’t think twice about screen time.
Another point is whether President Xi and his cohort are taking paternalism a step too far. Some would argue that parents should ultimately be responsible for supervising these sorts of activities. In fact, a few reports suggest kids are simply borrowing their mum or dad’s login details to play games past the one-hour allotment.
On the financial front, China’s tech firms say the under-18 demographic isn’t a major source of revenue for them, therefore, the short-term impact is almost negligible. But analysts are less confident about the long-term picture.
For instance, reduced engagement with young users could hinder companies’ efforts to breed future gamers and build customer growth, according to the FT. Then there are worries that China’s multi-billion dollar esports market could suffer if teens can’t train sufficiently to become professionals.
RESTRAINING THE FANDOM
Apparently Xi Jinping Thought covers celebrity adulation and fame in addition to socialist economic ideology. Beijing’s new diktat to the entertainment industry means the nature of fan engagement will change significantly.
The Middle Kingdom’s clampdown on “chaotic” celebrity worship and “irrational star-chasing behaviour” has seen the deletion or suspension of various online clubs, the cancellation of idol reality TV shows, and a ban on celebrity rankings.
A series of scandals indicate some performers have “lost morality”. For example, actress Zheng Shuang was fined US$46 million in August for tax evasion.
These incidents have spurred Chinese regulators to warn broadcasters and agents about promoting “vulgar internet celebrities” and the admiration of wealth. CNBC correspondent and friend of Deep Dive, Samantha Vadas, explains the situation.
Undoubtedly, the CCP is increasingly alarmed by extreme fan actions, which range from cyberbullying and stalking to splurging on merchandise. However, Beijing’s mission to cultivate more positive role models in society also has an ugly side to it.
While seeking control of China’s youth culture, the government wants traditional male figures to be part of the national rejuvenation. One directive calls for an end to “sissy men” and “abnormal aesthetics” in the entertainment business. The statement even uses an insulting slang term for effeminate men - “niang pao”.
Analysts say this archaic view of masculinity definitely has nationalistic overtones: Xi and his ministers hope images of strong, patriotic soldiers will lessen the influence of Japanese and South Korean boybands.
Enjoy the start of autumn 🍂 Take care and stay curious, Sara x