Concern over negative social media posts has deepened this year as China's economy has struggled

China’s internet regulator on Monday launched a sweeping two-month crackdown targeting “malicious” social media content, including pessimistic economic commentary and posts promoting “negative outlooks on life,” as concerns mount over widespread youth disillusionment amid the country’s economic struggles.

The Cyberspace Administration of China announced the nationwide campaign will target content deemed to incite “violent or hostile sentiment,” including posts that spread claims like “hard work is useless” or “studying is useless”. The initiative comes as China faces record youth unemployment of 18.9% in August 2025 and persistent economic headwinds.

  • tal@olio.cafeEnglish
    212·
    2 days ago

    Problematic content specifically targeted includes posts inciting fan group clashes

    That what now?

    kagis

    https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-china-is-cracking-down-on-its-online-fandom-obsessed-youth/

    Fandoms and their capacity for collective action were also one of the largely untold stories of China’s fight against the COVID-19 epidemic in its early stage. In January 2020, as it became clear that an epidemic had emerged in Wuhan and surrounding areas, the government response was far too slow in many key areas, including the provision of protective equipment. By contrast, the networks already formed within fandom culture—the same that allowed mobilization in support of chosen idols—enabled the rapid marshalling of resources. On Jan. 21, 2020, one day after China confirmed human transmission of COVID-19, the fan network of Zhu Yilong, a young actor originally from the city of Wuhan, mobilized funds to purchase more than 200,000 protective masks. These and other supplies were delivered to Wuhan within 24 hours, offering much-needed support for medical personnel and others on the front lines. The aid offered by the Zhu Yilong network is just one of many examples of how online groups provided a crucial means of support amid a rapidly unfolding crisis.

    Perhaps more worrying for the CCP has been their potential for mobilization on a global scale. Within 10 days of China’s formal acknowledgement of the coronavirus outbreak in January 2020, a group of 27 fandoms from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan known as the “666 Alliance,” had sourced nearly half a million-yuan worth of medical supplies for use in Wuhan. As one Chinese scholar wrote of fandoms in 2020: “They are a huge population, are well-organized, and have a clear division of labor, giving them an explosive power many would find astonishing.”

    Oh, for Pete’s sake.

    “Here, have a nice state-approved idol to be a fan of.”