China Cracks Down on Online Pessimism Amid Rising Economic Anxiety
The Chinese government is stepping up efforts to reshape online conversations by targeting an emotion it says has spread too widely across the country’s internet: pessimism.
This week, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) launched a two-month campaign aimed at curbing social media content that “excessively exaggerates negative and pessimistic sentiments.” Officials say the initiative is designed to “rectify negative emotions” and create a more “civilized and rational online environment.”
The campaign highlights Beijing’s growing concern over the impact of online disillusionment, especially among younger Chinese, as the country faces mounting economic and social pressures.
Why Beijing Is Targeting Pessimism
The crackdown zeroes in on narratives such as “studying is useless” or “hard work is pointless”, as well as broader stories promoting world-weariness and despair.
The timing is significant. China’s economy has been weighed down by a real estate crisis, sluggish growth, and soaring youth unemployment. For many young people, the once-standard promise that hard work would guarantee success feels increasingly out of reach.
“Young people in China have serious questions about the future prospects of their lives,” explains Simon Sihang Luo, assistant professor of social sciences at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University. “They must confront the fact that their livelihood is very likely going to be worse than their parents’ generation.”
Against this backdrop, pessimism has become a digital coping mechanism. But to Beijing, these conversations risk undermining confidence in the system itself.
Influencers Under Fire
The CAC’s new campaign is part of a broader wave of sanctions targeting influencers and social media platforms accused of fueling negativity.
One recent example is Hu Chenfeng, a popular content creator whose social media accounts were suddenly wiped clean of posts. While no official reason was given, observers link the move to a viral livestream where Hu jokingly divided people and objects into “Apple” and “Android” categories — with “Android” used as shorthand for anything inferior.
The remark struck a chord online but also sparked accusations of reinforcing inequality. Such seemingly harmless jokes have become risky, as the government grows more sensitive to narratives that highlight social divides.
Another high-profile figure, Zhang Xuefeng, a fiery online tutor with millions of followers, also became the target of censors this month. Zhang is known for blunt advice to students and parents, telling them to make “practical choices” dictated by exam scores and financial realities rather than chasing dreams. While his candor drew large audiences, critics argue his platform often amplified despair.
Earlier in September, Zhang sparked outrage after pledging to donate 100 million yuan ($14 million) if Beijing invaded Taiwan. This week, his accounts were restricted from gaining new followers. A colleague later told Chinese media he was now “reflecting” on his actions.
Platforms Face Tightened Controls
It’s not just individuals who are under pressure. The CAC has also ordered social media platforms to play a central role in this “clean-up.”
Apps such as Weibo, Xiaohongshu, and Kuaishou have been warned of “strict punishments” for failing to curb what authorities call “negative content” — including sensationalized celebrity gossip and trivial news.
In a statement, the CAC said:
“A clear and healthy cyberspace is in the interests of the people.”
The message is clear: online spaces in China must project optimism, regardless of the real challenges citizens face offline.
The Risks of Forced Positivity
While the campaign may reduce visible pessimism, experts warn it could have unintended consequences.
“The expression of pessimist sentiments doesn’t necessarily mean a rejection of participating in society,” notes Dr. Luo. “But if young people are deprived of relief after venting these feelings, it might make their mental health worse.”
For many Chinese youth, venting online has been a way to cope with mounting pressures. Trends such as “lying flat” — rejecting the relentless rat race — or identifying as “full-time children” who return home due to unemployment, highlight how widespread disillusionment has become.
Suppressing these conversations, analysts say, risks silencing symptoms rather than addressing root causes like the bleak job market, high living costs, and falling birth rates.
A Pattern of Online Control
Censorship is nothing new in China. Content that directly criticizes the Communist Party, its leaders, or sensitive political issues is routinely removed. But what sets this campaign apart is its focus on emotions rather than explicit political dissent.
By framing pessimism itself as a threat, authorities appear determined to ensure that the Chinese internet remains “always sunny” — a sharp contrast to the everyday struggles many users face.
The Bigger Picture
China’s tightening grip on online pessimism reflects a broader anxiety: how to maintain social stability when confidence in the economy and opportunities for the next generation are declining.
“Contemporary Chinese history has shown that top-down ideological campaigns rarely eliminate the social roots of problems,” Dr. Luo points out. “Even with a powerful government like China’s, it’s hard to stop pessimism when the economy looks bleak, the job market is cruelly competitive, and the birth rate is at rock bottom.”
Outlook
Beijing’s campaign to police negativity online underscores the delicate balance between controlling the narrative and addressing real-world frustrations. While the government can suppress posts and punish influencers, the underlying issues — unemployment, inequality, and a slowing economy — remain unresolved.
For now, China’s internet may appear more cheerful on the surface. But beneath the carefully managed optimism, the voices of a generation grappling with uncertainty and lowered expectations are unlikely to disappear.