Online learning programs have become increasingly popular since the “suspended class, ongoing learning” (停课不停学 tíngkè bù tíngxué) initiative, but XRS education (学而思), an online tutoring program based in Beijing, has recently got into trouble for displaying “vulgar videos, inciting puppy/early love among other issues”.
The Beijing Education Bureau has arranged negotiations with the company aiming to perfect the information security system, strengthen content examination, and to make individual companies take greater responsibility for the content they provide. After an official warning, the institution immediately removed the content deemed offensive and unhealthy.
XRS education isn’t the only company running into problems with the Beijing Education Bureau, homeschooling app BBG (步步高) has also been condemned for displaying what’s deemed as “adult content” while other online learning programs have been exposed to promoting video games.
Stronger supervision, “heavy fist” correction, and providing a “radiant” learning environment for adolescents were labeled as necessary steps by the Bureau towards a healthier online learning experience. Since “adolescents are still internally developing, they are easily prone to vulgar culture and harmful information, and the blind emulation of such practices could lead to harmful effects.” They also issued a dire warning: “If platforms aren’t disciplined, government agencies will interfere.”
KEEP READING: Chinese Children’s Sex Ed Book Criticized for Using the Words “Penis” and “Vagina”
Photo Credit: Unsplash
