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May 3, 2017

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Livestreams in schools raise concerns

Source: Xinhua | 00:01 UTC+8 May 3, 2017 | Print Edition

CHINESE livestreams is raising concerns about privacy and child safety in schools.

Shuidi Zhibo, a livestreaming platform, shows more than 200 videos of students attending classes, taking exams or playing during breaks.

The videos were recorded on various campuses around the country ranging from kindergartens to senior high schools.

One of the most watched videos was recorded at No. 1 Senior High School in the city of Yuzhou, central China’s Henan Province. Principal Wen Mingjian told reporters that the school purchased webcams after requests from parents and teachers, to encourage better behavior and prevent bullying.

“Most of our students are left-behind children. Webcams allow their parents to see they are attending school,” said Cheng Yafeng, a teacher.

Shi Shuangyan, a migrant worker in Beijing, said he liked to watch his child in class thousands of miles away. However, he opposes the livestreaming and suggests that they should only be seen by teachers and parents.

Video surveillance is common in Chinese schools, but mainly for security and exam monitoring.

In recent years, livestreaming has turned many ordinary people into celebrities. China has more than 300 platforms and over 340 million people have watched live videos.

Livestreaming in schools has also raised concerns about students’ mental health, privacy and safety.

Many students see livestreaming as a violation of their rights. A student from Yuzhou No. 1 Senior High School said: “I hate it. It makes us feel like animals in a zoo.”

A survey by iQiyi, an online video platform, 67 percent of 19,637 interviewees were opposed to livestreaming of classes.

“Publishing videos involving minors, without their consent, invades their privacy,” said Yao Weiyao, deputy director of the juvenile protection committee of the All-China Lawyers Association.

In addition to privacy concerns, critics also worry that catching students’ every movement on camera may jeopardize their mental health and even their safety.

“It may increase stress on students and is likely to damage their relationships with their parents. No one wants to be monitored all the time,” said Zhao Yueling, deputy head of Henan institute of mental health.

Police in Zhengzhou have suggested schools stop putting pictures of children online as many crimes targeting minors are caused by the availability of such information.

Yuzhou No. 1 Senior High School stopped livestreaming after media reports provoked public criticism.

To protect the privacy of minors, Shuidi Zhibo published a statement on its website in late March, advising schools to choose “kindergarten sharing mode” on webcams.

“If teachers choose this mode, only specific groups like parents can watch,” the statement said.

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