wǎngluò bàolì: 网络暴力 - Cyberbullying, Online Harassment, Internet Violence

• Keywords: wangluo baoli, 网络暴力, cyberbullying in China, Chinese online harassment, internet violence China, what is wangluo baoli, 人肉搜索, keyboard warrior, Chinese internet culture, 网暴
• Summary: 网络暴力 (wǎngluò bàolì) is a powerful Chinese term that translates to “internet violence” or “cyberbullying.” It describes large-scale online harassment, often involving public shaming, doxxing, and coordinated attacks by anonymous netizens. Understanding wǎngluò bàolì is key to grasping modern Chinese internet culture, where online disputes can escalate into real-world consequences with frightening speed. This entry explores its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wǎngluò bàolì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced)
• Concise Definition: A form of intense, collective online harassment, abuse, and public shaming directed at an individual or group.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine an online mob. 网络暴力 (wǎngluò bàolì) isn't just one person being mean to another; it's the phenomenon of countless anonymous internet users ganging up on a single target. This “internet violence” often goes beyond harsh words, involving tactics like spreading private information (doxxing), inundating the victim's employer or school with complaints, and relentless verbal abuse, sometimes leading to severe psychological distress or real-world harm for the victim.

• 网 (wǎng): This character originally depicted a fishing net. Today, it's the core character for anything related to the “network” or the “internet” (互联网 - hùliánwǎng).
• 络 (luò): This character means “to connect” or a “net-like object.” When combined with 网, 网络 (wǎngluò) literally means “network.”
• 暴 (bào): This character signifies violence, cruelty, or sudden and fierce actions. Think of a violent storm (暴雨 - bàoyǔ).
• 力 (lì): This character represents “force,” “power,” or “strength.” It's a simple pictogram of a plow or a strong arm.

When you combine the characters, you get 网络 (wǎngluò) - “network” - and 暴力 (bàolì) - “violence/violent force.” The term 网络暴力 is therefore a very literal and descriptive name: “network violence.”

网络暴力 is a particularly potent phenomenon in China due to several cultural and social factors. While the West has “cancel culture” and “doxxing,” 网络暴力 in China often operates on a different scale and intensity. The key difference lies in the concept of the “human flesh search engine” (人肉搜索 - rénròu sōusuǒ). This isn't a piece of software but a social phenomenon where thousands of netizens collaborate to uncover the real-world identity and personal details of an online target. What might start as outrage over a video of someone mistreating an animal can, within hours, lead to the person's name, home address, phone number, and employer being posted online for all to see. This is the primary engine that drives 网络暴力. This practice taps into a complex mix of digital vigilantism and a collective urge to enforce social norms. Sometimes, it's aimed at corrupt officials or perceived social injustices, but it can just as easily be triggered by a minor social faux pas. The sheer number of Chinese netizens (the “net army” or 网军 - wǎngjūn) means that a 网络暴力 campaign can be overwhelming and inescapable for the target, blurring the lines between online judgment and real-world punishment in a way that is often more severe than its Western counterparts.

网络暴力 is a widely used term in daily life, especially in discussions about social media, news events, and celebrity culture.

• Formality: It's a standard, neutral-to-formal term used in news reports, academic discussions, and serious conversations.
• Connotation: It is overwhelmingly negative. To be a victim of 网络暴力 is a terrible experience, and to participate in it is seen as unethical and cruel.
• Common Abbreviation: In casual online chat and on social media, you will frequently see the shortened version 网暴 (wǎngbào). It carries the exact same meaning.

You'll hear it used when discussing:

• A celebrity who said something controversial and is now being “attacked” online.
• An ordinary person caught on video doing something embarrassing or offensive.
• The psychological toll that online shaming takes on individuals.
• Calls for new laws and platform regulations to curb online abuse.

• Example 1:
  • 那个明星因为一句话说错了，就遭受了严重的网络暴力。
  • Pinyin: Nàge míngxīng yīnwèi yījù huà shuō cuòle, jiù zāoshòule yánzhòng de wǎngluò bàolì.
  • English: That celebrity suffered from severe cyberbullying just because they said one thing wrong.
  • Analysis: This is a classic use case, describing the often disproportionate backlash public figures face online. `遭受 (zāoshòu)` is a common verb meaning “to suffer” or “to be subjected to.”
• Example 2:
  • 我们必须立法来制止网络暴力的蔓延。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū lìfǎ lái zhìzhǐ wǎngluò bàolì de mànyán.
  • English: We must legislate to stop the spread of internet violence.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the term used in a formal, societal context, discussing legal solutions. `蔓延 (mànyán)` means “to spread” or “to creep,” often used for negative things like a disease or a fire.
• Example 3:
  • 别参与网暴，你不知道你的话会对别人造成多大的伤害。
  • Pinyin: Bié cānyù wǎngbào, nǐ bù zhīdào nǐ de huà huì duì biérén zàochéng duōdà de shānghài.
  • English: Don't participate in cyberbullying; you don't know how much harm your words can cause to others.
  • Analysis: This example uses the common short form 网暴 (wǎngbào) in an informal, advisory tone. `造成…伤害 (zàochéng…shānghài)` is a common structure for “to cause harm.”
• Example 4:
  • 她因为害怕网络暴力，所以关闭了所有的社交媒体账号。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi hàipà wǎngluò bàolì, suǒyǐ guānbìle suǒyǒu de shèjiāo méitǐ zhànghào.
  • English: She closed all her social media accounts because she was afraid of online harassment.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the psychological impact and a common reaction of victims. `害怕 (hàipà)` means “to be afraid of.”
• Example 5:
  • 很多网络暴力事件都是由谣言引起的。
  • Pinyin: Hěnduō wǎngluò bàolì shìjiàn dōu shì yóu yáoyán yǐnqǐ de.
  • English: Many incidents of internet violence are caused by rumors.
  • Analysis: This sentence points to a common cause. `由…引起 (yóu…yǐnqǐ)` is a structure meaning “to be caused by…”
• Example 6:
  • 匿名性是网络暴力难以控制的主要原因之一。
  • Pinyin: Nìmíng xìng shì wǎngluò bàolì nányǐ kòngzhì de zhǔyào yuányīn zhī yī.
  • English: Anonymity is one of the main reasons why cyberbullying is difficult to control.
  • Analysis: This points to a core structural problem of the internet that enables such behavior. `匿名性 (nìmíng xìng)` means “anonymity.”
• Example 7:
  • 这个女孩的个人信息被曝光后，她成了网络暴力的受害者。
  • Pinyin: Zhège nǚhái de gèrén xìnxī bèi bàoguāng hòu, tā chéngle wǎngluò bàolì de shòuhàizhě.
  • English: After this girl's personal information was exposed, she became a victim of cyberbullying.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects the act of doxxing (`被曝光 - bèi bàoguāng`) directly to becoming a `受害者 (shòuhàizhě)`, a victim.
• Example 8:
  • 他只是发表了不同意见，却被贴上了“叛徒”的标签，并遭到了网暴。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhǐshì fābiǎole bùtóng yìjiàn, què bèi tiē shàngle “pàntú” de biāoqiān, bìng zāo dàole wǎngbào.
  • English: He just expressed a different opinion, but was labeled a “traitor” and was subsequently cyberbullied.
  • Analysis: This illustrates how disagreement can escalate into a full-blown attack. `贴上…标签 (tiē shàng…biāoqiān)` means “to stick a label on someone.”
• Example 9:
  • 新闻报道了那起网络暴力事件，引起了公众对这个问题的广泛关注。
  • Pinyin: Xīnwén bàodàole nà qǐ wǎngluò bàolì shìjiàn, yǐnqǐle gōngzhòng duì zhège wèntí de guǎngfàn guānzhù.
  • English: The news reported on that internet violence incident, sparking widespread public concern about this issue.
  • Analysis: This shows the term's use in media contexts. `引起…关注 (yǐnqǐ…guānzhù)` means “to attract/spark…concern or attention.”
• Example 10:
  • 作为平台，他们有责任减少网络暴力的发生。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi píngtái, tāmen yǒu zérèn jiǎnshǎo wǎngluò bàolì de fāshēng.
  • English: As a platform, they have a responsibility to reduce the occurrence of cyberbullying.
  • Analysis: This points to the role and responsibility of social media companies. `有责任 (yǒu zérèn)` means “to have a responsibility.”

• Not Just Trolling: A common mistake for English speakers is to equate 网络暴力 with simple trolling or an angry online argument. While trolling can be a part of it, 网络暴力 implies a large-scale, collective, and targeted campaign. It's the difference between one person yelling insults and an entire mob surrounding someone's house.
• Severity is Key: Don't underestimate the “暴力” (violence) part of the term. It's not just “mean comments.” It often involves real-world consequences like doxxing (人肉搜索), job loss, and extreme psychological trauma. It is considered a very serious social problem in China.
• False Friend: “Cyberbullying”: While “cyberbullying” is the best available translation, it often conjures images of teenagers harassing a peer. 网络暴力 is broader and more severe, encompassing adult-led mob justice, political attacks, and coordinated campaigns that have toppled careers. The Chinese term carries a much stronger connotation of “mob violence” enabled by the internet.

• 网暴 (wǎngbào) - The common, informal abbreviation for 网络暴力.
• 人肉搜索 (rénròu sōusuǒ) - “Human flesh search engine.” The practice of collective online doxxing, and a primary tool of 网络暴力.
• 键盘侠 (jiànpánxiá) - “Keyboard warrior.” A derogatory term for someone who acts tough and morally superior online but is passive in real life. These are the “soldiers” of 网络暴力.
• 喷子 (pēnzi) - “Sprayer” or “troll.” A person who leaves hateful, abusive, and often irrelevant comments everywhere online. Less targeted than a 键盘侠.
• 吃瓜群众 (chīguā qúnzhòng) - “Melon-eating masses.” The online spectators who passively watch the drama of a 网络暴力 incident unfold, much like an audience eating snacks at a show.
• 造谣 (zàoyáo) - To fabricate and spread a rumor. A frequent catalyst for 网络暴力.
• 舆论 (yúlùn) - Public opinion. 网络暴力 is often an attempt to manipulate or create a powerful wave of negative public opinion.
• 道德绑架 (dàodé bǎngjià) - “Moral kidnapping.” Forcing someone to act in a certain way by using moral arguments to shame them. This is often the justification used by participants in 网络暴力.