China launches campaign to keep pessimism off the internet
13 hours ago
- #Youth Disillusionment
- #Internet Censorship
- #China
- China's Cyberspace Administration launches a two-month campaign to curb negative and pessimistic sentiments online.
- The campaign targets narratives like 'studying is useless' and 'hard work is useless' to create a more 'civilised' online environment.
- Economic slowdown, high youth unemployment, and intense competition contribute to disillusionment among young Chinese.
- Content creator Hu Chenfeng's accounts were scrubbed after making viral comments that classified people as 'Apple' or 'Android', seen as reinforcing social divides.
- Online tutor Zhang Xuefeng faced censorship after controversial remarks, possibly for promoting practical choices over dreams in an unfair world.
- Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, Kuaishou, and Weibo are being punished for failing to control 'negative' content.
- Experts argue that suppressing pessimism online won't address the root causes like economic struggles and a competitive job market.