Beijing — China has launched a two-month campaign to make its online space “positive and civil.” The country’s Cyberspace Administration (CAC) will now closely monitor content creators, social media platforms, and users. Officials say there will be no room for “melancholy” or negativity on the internet.
From jokes about “pointless studying” to livestreams expressing anger over inequality, all forms of negative content are now subject to strict scrutiny. According to CAC, the move is intended to provide the public with a healthy and rational online environment.
Economic Pressures and Youth Frustration
Experts say the campaign is linked to mounting economic challenges in China and growing frustration among the younger generation. The real estate crisis, rising unemployment, and a competitive education system have left many young people disillusioned and under considerable mental stress.
Some youth have returned home due to a lack of job opportunities, while others have embraced a “lie-flat” lifestyle to avoid an exhausting work culture. Some even refer to themselves as “full-time children.” Mental health specialists warn that merely monitoring the internet or removing posts will not address these deep-seated structural problems.
Crackdown on Influencers and Platforms
The CAC has begun taking action against social media influencers and platforms.
All posts by content creator Hu Chenfeng were removed without explanation. In a recent viral livestream, he categorized people and objects as “Apple” and “Android,” which some took as a joke, while others said it fueled social divisions.
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Online tutor Zhang Xuefeng, who has millions of followers, also came under scrutiny. Known for advising students to choose practical options over idealistic dreams, he jokingly said earlier this month that he would donate 100 million yuan if Beijing attacked Taiwan. Following this, restrictions were placed on adding new followers to his account.
Platforms such as Xiaohongshu, Kuaishou, and Weibo have been warned to curb “celebrity gossip” and “trivial content,” or face severe penalties.
Expert Warnings
The CAC insists that “a clean and healthy cyberspace is in the public interest.” Yet mental health professionals caution that online venting or expressing frustration is not equivalent to avoiding society. Cutting off these channels could have serious adverse effects on mental well-being.
Professor Triveni Singh, Ex-IPS and cybercrime expert, said:
“Suppressing negative emotions through online censorship is only a temporary solution. The real challenge is for young people to express their frustration and mental stress safely. When governments attempt to control emotions on the internet, it not only affects freedom of expression but also poses serious risks to youth mental health. Censorship is not the solution; dialogue, guidance, and mental health support are the long-term remedies.”
