How 'My Little Pony Trading Cards' became the social currency of Chinese primary schoolers

According to Li Yue, a mother of a 5th-grade student, her daughter became interested in the cards in March and has since spent thousands of yuan on them. Li Yue observed that while her daughter used to watch the animated series without showing particular enthusiasm, after starting to play with the cards, she became more interested in the characters and even began to search for their names online and re-watch episodes. Li Yue believes that the cards have become a way for kids to socialize and bond with their peers.

"It's become a kind of social currency among kids," Li Yue said. "If a child has a rare card, their friends will be envious and want to trade with them. It's a way for them to connect with each other and show off their collections."

The phenomenon has also been noticed by Cao Ze, a psychologist who has been working with children for over 20 years. Cao Ze believes that the popularity of the cards is not just about the cards themselves, but about the social connections they enable.

"In today's society, children have fewer and fewer opportunities to socialize with their peers," Cao Ze said. "The cards have become a way for them to connect with each other and form relationships. If we simply ban the cards or try to stop children from playing with them, we may inadvertently damage their social skills."

However, Cao Ze also notes that the cards can be a source of problems, such as addiction and financial troubles, if not monitored by parents. "When children become obsessed with the cards, it can lead to negative behaviors such as stealing money from their parents to buy more cards," Cao Ze said. "It's essential for parents to communicate with their children and set limits on their spending."

The debate around the cards has also sparked a wider discussion about the state of childhood in China. Some netizens on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, have expressed nostalgia for the past when children played outdoor games like jump rope and hide-and-seek.

"I feel like nowadays children have too few games to play," one netizen wrote. "We used to play so many fun games when we were young, but now it seems like they're all stuck on these cards."

Others have pointed out the commercialization of childhood, with companies using tactics like live-streaming and promotions to lure children into buying more cards.

"It's not just the cards themselves that are the problem, but the way they're being marketed to children," another netizen wrote. "Companies are using all sorts of tricks to get kids to buy more cards, and it's up to parents to be aware of this and set limits."

As the summer holidays approach, Li Yue's daughter has lost interest in the cards, and the stacks of cards at home have been left untouched. Li Yue believes that this is due to the fact that her daughter has found new interests and is no longer surrounded by peers who are obsessed with the cards.

"Children's interests are always changing," Li Yue said. "As long as we parents are aware of what they're doing and can guide them, I think we can help them develop healthy habits and avoid the negative effects of these cards."

The debate around My Little Pony Treasure Cards serves as a reminder of the complex and multifaceted nature of childhood in China, where traditional values and modern commercialization intersect. As parents, educators, and policymakers navigate this landscape, it's essential to prioritize the well-being and social-emotional development of children, while also acknowledging the changing times and the need for adaptability.