How Shanghai Is Building Digital Civility From the Family Up

When 10-year-old Wu Siyu uploaded his award-winning video online, he expected encouragement. What followed instead were sarcastic comments questioning his ability and mocking his expressions.

"I became quiet," Wu recalled. "I asked my mom, 'Was it wrong to share happiness?'"

Rather than deleting the video or shutting down the comment section, Wu's parents chose a different approach – one that has become central to Shanghai's broader effort to foster a more civil and responsible online environment.

His mother taught him to use an "emotional pause button" – pausing, taking a deep breath and turning to offline activities rather than engaging with negative comments.

"I've learned not to consume comments that only bring harm," he said.

Wu's story was one of several shared at Shanghai Network Civility Theme Event on Friday night in Yangpu District.

Families, young creators and science communicators illustrated how the city is experimenting with a multi-layered approach to online governance.

The approaches focus on digital literacy, creativity and shared responsibility rather than simple bans.

From online bullying to misinformation, concerns over children's digital well-being have become a global issue.

According to international child development experts, excessive exposure to online negativity can affect young users' confidence and mental health, while overly restrictive controls risk leaving them unprepared for real-world digital challenges.

Shanghai's response emphasizes early guidance at home.

"We taught him to classify comments into three types – nutritious food, snacks and expired food," Wu's mother explained.

"Some comments help you grow, some can be ignored, and some are better not consumed at all."

Another student, Xu Weini, shared how creating short videos with her parents became an exercise in online responsibility.

While filming daily life in her neighborhood, Xu once pointed her camera at workers repairing a water pipe. Her father stopped her.

"He said before filming others, always ask if it's okay," Xu recalled. "That was my first lesson in respecting privacy online."

Xu's family also learned to navigate misinformation together. When she encountered a viral video promoting so-called "miracle herbs," they checked reliable science websites and confirmed the claim was false.

"Not believing rumors and not spreading them is part of being a responsible Internet user," Xu said.

The responsibility for shaping online culture has also increasingly shifted to young online content creators – another focus of the event.

University students shared how they are using music, traditional opera and long-form content to offer alternatives to sensational online trends.

Zeng Jiaming, an engineering student at Shanghai University, gained national attention for blending rap with historical and patriotic themes.

"When your work reaches people of all ages, influence is no longer just about views," Zeng said. "It becomes a social responsibility."

Another college student, Hu Youya, described how performing Huangmei Opera during a university event unexpectedly drew millions of online views.

"Many people don't dislike traditional opera," Hu said. "They simply lack an opportunity to encounter it. The Internet can become a bridge rather than a barrier."

The event also spotlighted science communicators who are reshaping how complex ideas reach the public online.

Chen Quan, a member of a popular science communication team, said Shanghai's open and rule-based environment has encouraged experimentation.

"Here, contribution determines recognition," Chen said. "Clear rules and respect for innovation give creators the confidence to explore and share knowledge responsibly."

His team focuses on transforming abstract scientific concepts into accessible visuals and stories. They aim to cultivate curiosity and rational thinking among young audiences.

Chen said digital platforms have made knowledge more accessible, but also require users to develop the ability to distinguish reliable information from misinformation.

Other speakers shared experiences ranging from helping children cope with negative online comments to promoting responsible content creation.

Shanghai's approach, as presented at the event, emphasizes guidance over prohibition, community norms over individual policing, and creativity over confrontation, according to the Shanghai Cyberspace Administration, one of the event's organizers.

"The internet is a place to share good things – and to learn how to stay confident while doing so," said the primary student Wu.