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AI Teens Exploit Elderly with Fake Tears for Profit
27 Oct
Summary
- AI avatars exploit lonely elderly viewers with emotional stories.
- Products sold by AI teens are often significantly overpriced.
- Trend sparks concerns about fraud and elderly exploitation.
AI-generated characters, predominantly appearing as teenage boys in school uniforms or plain shirts, are surfacing on Chinese short-video platforms. These 'Xiaohai' avatars craft emotionally charged narratives about their supposed impoverished lives, aiming to elicit sympathy from elderly viewers addressed as 'aunties' and 'mothers.'
Videos depict scenarios like a boy eating alone in class or facing bullying over tuition fees, urging viewers to buy products like buckwheat cereal. Some avatars also promote health supplements and household goods, claiming the funds are needed for single fathers. However, these products are often marked up significantly, with one bottle of cooking oil costing 99 yuan compared to 60 yuan elsewhere.
The business model is reportedly lucrative, with commissions reaching 55% and creators earning substantial daily profits. The 'Xiaohai' trend has garnered over 600 million views, attracting deep emotional investment from older users who express affection and concern in comment sections.
This phenomenon has led to real-world consequences, including a 79-year-old woman attempting to travel to meet a Xiaohai avatar. Legal experts caution that such deceptive sales tactics could constitute fraud. The trend also highlights the emotional isolation faced by some older individuals seeking connection online.
In response, tech-savvy users are creating parody videos to warn parents, depicting 'Evil Xiaohai' avatars in luxury clothing or prison uniforms. While most Xiaohai videos have been removed from mainland platforms, the underlying issues of AI manipulation and elder exploitation remain a concern.
