In recent years, digital platforms have profoundly reshaped economic and social activities globally. The platform economy has emerged as a crucial growth driver in the global economic landscape, playing a pivotal role in unlocking the latent potential of China’s consumer market. This article investigates the operational mechanisms through which platform economies influence the development of Chinese consumer potential. Through comprehensive analysis of theoretical frameworks examining contemporary consumption patterns among Chinese populations, coupled with an evaluation of the socioeconomic implications of platform economies, the study identifies three primary challenges impeding sustainable development: regional disparities in digital infrastructure creating consumer market imbalances; cybersecurity vulnerabilities threatening personal data protection; standardization gaps in e-commerce regulatory frameworks. The research proposes a dual-path solution framework: enhanced governmental oversight through progressive legal infrastructure development; strategic investment in next-generation digital platform technologies. Our analysis demonstrates that platform economies facilitate consumption scale expansion, market environment optimization, and quality enhancement in consumer experiences. However, achieving these outcomes requires coordinated efforts between policymakers and technology developers to address existing structural constraints.