In a sweeping effort to foster a more positive online environment, the Chinese government has launched a two-month campaign targeting social media posts that amplify negative and pessimistic sentiments. Spearheaded by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the initiative aims to curb narratives such as ‘studying is useless’ and ‘hard work is useless,’ which have gained traction amid economic slowdowns, high youth unemployment, and intense competition for education and jobs. This campaign reflects Beijing’s growing concern over the disillusionment among its younger generation, who increasingly question their future prospects. The government’s anxiety has manifested in a series of sanctions against influencers and platforms. Notably, content creator Hu Chenfeng saw his social media accounts wiped clean after a viral comment that many interpreted as reinforcing social divides. Similarly, Zhang Xuefeng, a prominent online tutor, faced restrictions on his accounts following controversial remarks about Taiwan and his blunt advice on social mobility. The campaign also extends to social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, Kuaishou, and Weibo, which have been warned to curb ‘negative’ content. While the government frames this as a move to create a ‘civilised and rational online environment,’ critics argue that such top-down efforts may fail to address the root causes of societal pessimism. Experts like Dr. Simon Sihang Luo of Nanyang Technological University caution that suppressing expressions of frustration could exacerbate mental health issues. Despite the crackdown, the underlying pressures driving China’s youth to ‘lie flat’ and retreat from the rat race persist, highlighting the challenges of addressing systemic issues through censorship alone.