China starts campaign to remove 'negative' online content ^{CEFR B1}

China's Cyberspace Administration began a two-month campaign on September 22 to remove online content it describes as inciting antagonism, violence and "pessimistic and negative sentiments." The campaign covers social media, video and live-stream platforms, hashtags, trending topics and message boards.

Authorities listed types of negative content such as discussions of familial trauma, insults between men and women, criticism of young workers, and mockery of bosses. Within a week four prominent mainland influencers were banned and their posts removed on platforms including Weibo, Weixin, Xiaohongshu, Kuaishou, Douyin and Bilibili. Each influencer had tens of millions of followers before removal.

Analysts link the campaign to youth unhappiness and record youth unemployment. China's National Bureau of Statistics reported youth unemployment of 18.9 percent in August this year. Observers warn the crackdown could backfire because real economic problems underlie negative sentiment.