Governance Challenges of Chinese Short Video Platforms

In recent years, short video platforms have gained unprecedented popularity. Chinese short video platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou now attract a rapidly expanding user base. These short video platforms have powerful algorithms, user-friendly content creation tools, short content, and maximize user engagement. Platform operators, creators, and users are the key stakeholders in the production and dissemination of content. In the interaction between these subjects, Chinese short video platforms pose governance issues such as labor alienation, content homogenization, and negative impacts on user mental health. These problems arise from algorithmic deficiencies, operational mechanisms, and economic motive. The research finds that driven by the attention economy, Chinese short video platforms use preference-restricting algorithms and specific mechanisms to control content and behavior, leading to multiple problems. It is necessary to address a series of issues concerning the development of short video platforms. Effective governance requires coordinated efforts from stakeholders, including platforms, creators, users, and society. When these stakeholders take effective action, it is possible to foster a healthier digital environment.