(Photo/Screenshot of Pear Video)
A father in rural Sichuan Province is facing harsh criticism on social media for livestreaming his young son doing things like walking tightropes and drinking beer.
Zhang Yu sparked controversy for the May 25 video in which his 6-year-old Wangwang slams two beers at a restaurant as his family urges him on.
Many netizens criticized Zhang for giving alcohol to a child.
Zhang said he just wants the best for his boy.
"I want my kids to take piano and dance lessons like kids in big cities do," said the 34-year-old father of two, "But I am not able to afford them."
Instead, Zhang teaches his son less conventional activities, including acrobatics, boxing and rock-climbing.
Zhang explained he began livestreaming Wangwang's acrobatics since January, and has so far gained 50,000 followers.
The father said he had started the broadcasts to improve his son's self-confidence.
"I put his schooling and safety first," he said, "But I do not mind if Wangwang becomes a popular kid on the Internet."
Zhang, a farmer, said he and his wife earn only 4,000 yuan ($589) a month.
Though Zhang earns money from the livestreams, he said he would never push his son to "walk tightropes for profit."
Most on social media weren't buying it, pointing out Zhang was already profiting from his son's livestreams.
