Today's Close-Up

"Social Tipping" — Fans Fall into Livestreaming Pitfall (2021x29)

Data de estreia: Nov 12, 2021

Social tipping has grown in popularity amid the pandemic, as more and more users buy virtual coins to give to their favorite livestreamers. The market in Japan is estimated to have grown to be worth over 430 million dollars. While benefitting artists who lost income due to coronavirus restrictions, social tipping has created addicted fans, some of whom spend huge chunks of their income. It fascinates children too, with some secretly running up huge bills on parents' credit cards. We explore this growing problem and look at ways to keep it fun and safe for all users. Guest: Takahashi Akiko (IT journalist / Visiting Professor, Seikei University)