Shenzhen authorities shut down AI-generated harmful content targeting minors
Shenzhen authorities reported shutting down social media accounts that used AI to generate or modify inappropriate content targeting minors, including modified songs and animations designed to spread negative values. The regulator said it would continue enforcement against such harmful content under national guidelines for protecting minors online.
What happened
The Shenzhen Municipal Internet Information Office reported in March 2026 that it had shut down accounts on social media platforms that used AI to generate or modify harmful content targeting minors. Accounts including '่ๅฐ' and 'ๅฐๆ้ช' used AI to modify songs with inappropriate lyrics, while '้ฟๅฎฅๆธธๆ่งฃ่ฏด' and 'Ye.Can' used AI to modify animations including 'cult animations' that harmed minors' psychological health.
Reported impact
The AI-generated content reportedly transmitted negative values and endangered the physical and mental health of minors. Accounts also used minors' images inappropriately, including through mocking and controversial personas designed to attract attention and traffic.
Governance controls
Shenzhen's internet regulator stated it would continue specialized enforcement against harmful information targeting minors, requiring platforms to fulfill their primary responsibility to process harmful content and accounts in accordance with the Classification Method for Online Information That May Affect Minors' Physical and Mental Health.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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