Cyberbullying is growing among young people in China, through the dissemination of personal information to harm victims. Lonely and vengeful minors under 16 act without consequences finding a false sense of power, due to a legislative gap. The government is fighting back, while some stories show the possibility of redemption from online abuse.

Rome (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Doxing, a form of cyberbullying that involves the unauthorised dissemination of sensitive and personal information, statements, or documents for the purpose of harassing, exposing, or causing harm to targeted individuals, is said to be a veritable epidemic among Chinese teenagers.

Behind many of those who carry it out – mostly minors under the age of 16 who are not criminally liable under Chinese law – are victims of bullying driven by revenge, absent parents, desperation, and loneliness, lacking a real social network and intoxicated by the superficial perception of power that comes from being a doxer.

As a lengthy article published in Sixth Tone highlights, a Chinese government initiative known as Operation Qinglang, launched in the summer of 2024, is attempting to clean up digital and online spaces for minors, with a particular focus on the practice of doxing.

Doxers often get away with it because, due to their young age, they face little or no legal consequences, and even escalate their attacks.

Before Operation Qinglang, famous doxers and influential bloggers were revered as symbols of power within the community. And they themselves saw this importance, derived from the financial recognition of other users, but which in fact concealed a profound loneliness.

Acting in the name of "digital justice," perpetrators of these crimes often access personal data from online platforms, tracking IP addresses, or harvesting information from social media to create a comprehensive profile of their intended victim.

Telegram, the encrypted platform officially unavailable in mainland China, has become a favourite hub for doxing activities due to its anonymity features.

Reprinting an article originally published on White Night Workshop, Sixth Tone shares some chilling stories about the practice of doxing in China.

Gao Yi (not his real name) became a doxer after being bullied.

“When advertisements for ‘doxing services’ began circulating in his QQ group chats (China’s most popular instant messaging service), Gao saw an opportunity to finally showcase his technical skills and gain the recognition he craved. He began immersing himself in the online doxing world.”

For the first time, the young man had the false perception of being surrounded by friends, even earning the nickname “Dragon King”. Solitude is the common thread throughout this experience.

Guo Zitian (not his real name), 15 “lived by one simple rule: ‘Whoever insults me gets exposed.’” After finding himself friendless, he joined the doxing community. To publicise his story, he even shared handwritten apology letters from his victims, a public display of power.

The impunity surrounding these young people is due to a legislative vacuum. Sixth Tone cites Chen Weijie, a lawyer who emphasises how conflicts often originate in fan groups, anime communities, and gaming circles.

Only a small fraction of the cases that go to court reach a final ruling. In the Chinese legal system, it is still unclear whether they fall under civil or administrative jurisdiction.

One of the most targeted victims of doxing was content creator Chuan Lie. “His troubles began when he stumbled upon a gaming account password-stealing scam and made a warning video about it,” writes Sixth Tone.

Starting in 2022, his private information began to be repeatedly leaked online, including family photos and home addresses that racked up hundreds of thousands of views.

When one of Chuan Lie's doxers was finally identified, it turned out that he was just 13 years old.

“The triggers for doxing attacks have become increasingly trivial: losing a video game match, experiencing a romantic breakup, criticizing someone’s favorite celebrity, or even posting what someone considers an ‘annoying’ meme.”

Few are motivated by financial gain. Most doxers, however, are motivated by "fun" or "revenge."

The Chuan Lie case also revealed a "disturbing pattern" with many doxers not having completed the nine years of compulsory education in China, often due to their migrant worker parents being absent for long periods. The kids thus discovered an "intoxicating sense of power" online.

There are also stories of conversion among doxers. For example, Gao Yi, who had already decided to stop doxing, helped track down the person responsible for doxing Chuan Lie. Gao's eyes were opened to the uncontrolled behaviour of the doxing community, leaving him worried about his own future.

Guo Zitian also distanced himself from the community. Finding it hard to continue his education, he looked for a job. “Now working in a stressful kitchen, Guo has never recaptured that godlike feeling from his online days,” writes Sixth Tone. Now he empathises with those who stumble into his own past, acknowledging the insubstantiality of that thrill of omnipotence.

• china
• doxing
• teenagers
• cyberbullying
• legal vacuum