By hannover-web.com In recent years, collectible card blind boxes have quietly become a trend among teenagers, transforming the simple acts of buying, unboxing, and collecting cards into a new form of social activity. As this phenomenon has emerged in the market, certain unreasonable behaviors have developed in the secondary card market and card unboxing livestreams. To encourage rational consumption and regulate market practices, Xinhua News recently hosted a seminar. The participants made a collective appeal focusing on five key areas: promoting positive values, preventing speculative behavior, ensuring platform accountability, providing effective guidance and support, and nurturing a healthy atmosphere. The aim is to collaboratively guide teenagers towards rational consumption of collectible card blind boxes.
Collectible card games have long been popular among youth, with many individuals from the “80s” and “90s” familiar with experiences like collecting Water Margin cards from instant noodle packages. However, terms like “collectible card blind boxes” were not commonly used back then, even though the activities were quite similar.
As the “blind box+” trend has gained momentum, even many adults find themselves captivated by various blind box purchases. Unfortunately, this has led to irrational spending habits among youth, who may not have fully developed decision-making skills. Additionally, some companies, retailers, and online influencers exploit teenagers’ lack of experience by encouraging impulsive buying behaviors through inappropriate marketing tactics and speculation.
Addressing the issue of irrational consumption among teenagers requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders. Card companies, as the primary source of the industry, should focus not only on creating healthy and positive intellectual property but also consider the cultural and educational value of their products. They have the opportunity to make collectible cards a spiritual bridge that connects young people with the right values, enabling them to learn while they play. High-quality, meaningful, and engaging card products will be more readily accepted by teenagers, while also gaining the approval of parents and schools, benefiting the long-term health and development of card companies.
Teenagers often engage in irrational spending on these products due to poor guidance and malicious hype from some retailers and influencers. Some sellers hire scalpers to create artificial scarcity by buying up certain cards, driving up prices and encouraging eager teenagers to pay more. Meanwhile, some livestreamers spread harmful consumer attitudes during their unboxing sessions, deliberately inciting young viewers to feel a sense of urgency if they do not obtain certain limited-edition cards. It is crucial for retailers to actively eliminate price speculation and restore the original values of collecting, entertainment, socializing, and competition associated with cards. Both e-commerce platforms and livestream services must take responsibility to prevent negative influences and opportunistic behaviors.
The irrational consumption of collectible card blind boxes among some youths is also related to their significant academic pressure, limited social interactions, and unhealthy attitudes toward money. Therefore, both schools and parents have a role to play in providing guidance and support rather than turning a blind eye or implementing overly simplistic prohibitions. By alleviating academic stress and diversifying social and recreational activities, collectible card blind boxes can become a healthy leisure activity, rather than an obsession. Teaching children a healthy attitude towards money will help them maintain rational consumption habits in the face of consumerism. Additionally, promoting diverse social cultures and positive consumer attitudes across society will create a beneficial environment for young people to engage in rational consumption.
Collectible card blind boxes are not inherently harmful; in fact, good card products can foster positive values. Achieving this requires a collective social effort to build a healthy ecosystem for the card industry and guide youth towards rational consumption.
