China cleans up Internet for youth

BEIJING -- China is to tighten supervision of websites and cell phone applications to fight lewd content and aggressive remarks aimed at young people.

Dubbed "Green Web," the two-month action will start in late September and target online information deemed lewd, pornographic or violent as well as posts that reveal personal information about youngsters or carry defamatory or bullying remarks.

Online posts that flaunt wealth or showcase extreme obsession with celebrities will also be deleted.

The campaign is jointly initiated by the State Internet Information Office, the Ministry of Education, the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and the All-China Women's Federation.

"The move aims to further cleanse the Internet environment, provide a healthy and positive online environment for young people and protect their legal interests," said a statement released Monday by the office.

According to the statement, web operators are asked to voluntarily clean up the aforementioned harmful information while students, parents and social workers are encouraged to report questionable websites and online applications.

The statement urged Internet information management departments to supervise the progress of the action while punishing violators who allow harmful content.