"Why are Chinese Youth Pretending to Be Birds on Social Media? Exploring the Latest Internet Trend"

In a peculiar internet trend gaining popularity among Chinese youth, they are pretending to be birds on social media platforms like Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok). These netizens tuck their arms under their shirts, perch on household objects, and even make bird noises. But there’s more to this quirky behavior than meets the eye. Here’s the summary:

1. The Trend: Young people in China are play-acting as birds, mimicking their movements and sounds on social media.

2. Protest Against Work Culture: This trend is actually a protest against the grueling work hours faced by many employees in China. The ‘996 system’ (working from 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week) has left them exhausted.

3. Symbolic Message: By becoming birds, these youth express their desire for freedom and rejection of the demanding work culture.

4. Psychological Principles: The trend taps into psychological concepts like:

• Social Identity: By adopting bird-like behavior, they create a shared identity and solidarity.

• Symbolism: Birds represent freedom and escape from constraints.

• Catharsis: Singing sad songs as birds allows emotional release and catharsis.

• Counter-Culture: It’s a rebellious response to societal norms.

In essence, these “bird” videos carry a deeper message about work-life balance and the toll of excessive work hours on mental health.