Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the disturbing trend of individuals, particularly vulnerable women, engaging in extreme behaviors such as selling their children to fund their addiction to live-streaming platforms and the culture surrounding them, highlighting the psychological and societal implications of this phenomenon [1][2][30]. Group 1: Individual Cases and Impacts - A single mother in Fujian sold her children to support her lifestyle, primarily spending the money on clothing and tipping game streamers [1][2]. - The narrative includes a woman whose husband lost their family's wealth to support a streamer, leading to her legal battles for financial restitution [3][25]. - The article emphasizes that these extreme actions are not isolated but reflect broader societal issues, questioning the relationship between personal despair and the allure of live-streaming culture [2][30]. Group 2: Live Streaming Dynamics - The "verification PK" game format on platforms like Douyin has become a significant revenue generator, with instances of streamers raising between 12 million to 14 million yuan in a single session [5][7]. - The mechanics of live-streaming, including the pressure to perform and the competitive nature of tipping, create an environment where users can easily lose track of their spending and motivations [6][11][24]. - The article notes that the introduction of tipping leaderboards has transformed the dynamics of live-streaming, tapping into deep-seated human desires for recognition and validation [15][16][18]. Group 3: Broader Industry Trends - The live-streaming industry has seen exponential growth, with over 1.5 million professional streamers and daily live sessions exceeding 3.5 million [22]. - The platforms have developed features that enhance user engagement and impulsivity, leading to increased financial contributions from viewers [20][24]. - The article questions the societal value of live-streaming, contrasting its purported benefits with the exploitative nature of high-stakes tipping games [26][28].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the legal implications of using embezzled funds for live streaming tips, highlighting the ongoing debate about whether streaming platforms and streamers should return the illicit funds [1][3][11]. Group 1: Case Overview - A bank employee, Xi Wei, defrauded clients of over 1.6 billion yuan, with 600 million yuan used for live streaming tips [3][4]. - Courts have varied in their rulings on whether tips made with embezzled funds should be returned, with some courts viewing tips as gifts and others as transactions lacking reasonable compensation [4][5][11]. Group 2: Judicial Precedents - In a case involving a financial employee who embezzled 13.56 million yuan, the court ordered the return of over 5 million yuan given as tips, stating that the platform did not provide reasonable services [4]. - Another case ruled that 23 million yuan of embezzled funds used for tips should be returned, emphasizing the lack of a valid service contract [5][11]. Group 3: Legal Perspectives - Legal experts argue that the nature of live streaming tips is ambiguous, with some viewing them as gifts and others as contractual payments for services rendered [11][15]. - The concept of "good faith acquisition" is debated, with some courts allowing platforms and streamers to retain funds if they did not know the source of the money [12][13][17]. Group 4: Industry Implications - The rapid growth of the live streaming industry raises questions about the legal framework governing tips, with significant financial implications for platforms and streamers [16][18]. - Experts suggest that platforms should not be penalized if they fulfill their regulatory obligations and that the nature of tips should be recognized as a form of consumer transaction [15][16].