Virtual Parents: Young Chinese Seek Comfort Online
Tuesday, 2026/06/16190 words3 minutes1378 reads
Vincent Zhang, a 33-year-old tech worker in Shanghai, has found an unusual source of comfort: a middle-aged couple who post videos online as "virtual parents." Pan Huqian and Zhang Xiuping have nearly two million followers on Douyin, China's version of TikTok.
In their videos, the couple speaks directly to the camera with encouraging words. "Are you tired from work and study lately? Don't push yourself too hard," they say warmly. Thousands of young viewers respond by calling them "mum and dad" and sharing their personal struggles.
Vincent's real parents never tell him he's doing well. They criticize his career choice and pressure him about finding a girlfriend. "From the moment the phone call begins, all my actions and choices are wrong," he explains. The virtual parents offer something different: unconditional support without judgment.
Pan, the virtual father, understands this pain personally. He left home at 14 to support his family and says his own parents never encouraged him. Now he's determined to create a warmer atmosphere for others. Vincent knows these videos are commercial products, but he doesn't mind. "A little bit of warmth is better than nothing," he says.
