Shenzhen University’s Internet Civilization Research Center has been selected as part of the second cohort of “Guangdong Provincial Practice and Education Bases for Digital Civility.” As one of the earliest academic institutions in China dedicated to this field, the Center has worked closely with the Shenzhen Cyberspace Administration to publish a series of influential reports known as the “Blue Book of Internet Civility.” The 2023 report introduced the country’s first index system for measuring public online behavior, based on more than 11,000 offline surveys covering over 56,000 internet users. Subsequent reports have expanded the scope: the 2024 report examined internet-based enterprises, surveying over 200 companies, and the 2025 report mapped Shenzhen’s broader digital civility ecosystem through 75 case studies across six key dimensions. Together, these publications offer a replicable and scalable framework for nationwide digital civility governance.

Beyond research, the Center has placed strong emphasis on cultivating the next generation of digital communicators. Its “Knowledge Creator Bootcamp” has fostered interdisciplinary student projects, enabling participants from media, computer science, and psychology to translate complex topics into accessible content. To extend its impact offline, the Center launched the “Digital Civility Pioneer Team,” which organizes the “AI in the Community” initiative. Through workshops delivered in everyday language, the program introduces residents to core AI concepts and digital literacy skills.

Founded in 2023 and led by Professor Guang Yang, the Acting Associate Dean of the School of Media and Communication at Shenzhen University, the Center is designed as an integrated platform combining research, talent development, policy consulting, and public service, in alignment with China’s broader strategy for strengthening digital civility.

In addition to being designated a provincial education base, the Center has also been approved as a “Guangdong Characteristic New-Type Think Tank,” further establishing it as a provincial-level benchmark platform for both research and social engagement.

This article is partially adapted from materials by Nandu Data Research Institute.