Platforms should put an end to risky videos

A 3-year-old girl normally weighs around 14 kilograms. But 3-year-old Peppa, who borrows her online name from a popular cartoon, weighs 35 kilograms. That is because her parents livestreamed or posted videos showing Peppa gobbling up hamburgers, rice, roasted meat and sausages almost daily as a way to make money.

Media reports say that in one video the girl is clearly seen saying she cannot eat any more, but her parents force her to eat, the intention being to create a "big stomach queen" to draw eyeballs and bonuses from audiences.

After users complained to the livestreaming platform, it deleted Peppa's videos and shut her parents' user account.

However, the harm has already been done. Even if Peppa's parents now stop forcing food down her throat, it will still take months before her weight reduces to what it should be.

Besides, being overweight exposes her to diabetes and high blood pressure, which are lifelong ailments.

In some of the videos, the girl is seen walking with difficulty, her legs being unable to support her weight.

Her parents should be held accountable for her torment.

Livestreaming platforms, which promote such risky videos to attract eyeballs should not be able to shirk their responsibilities either.