Anyone who has seen even five minutes of an episode of Peppa Pig knows she’s anything but a subversive figure, a cheeky, anti-whistling tyrant, perhaps, but not exactly the most likely candidate for underworld icon- unless you live in China that is.
Peppa Pig has been banned from a popular Chinese streaming website and photos with the hashtag #PeppaPig have been removed from social media platforms after the little British pig was dubbed a negative influence on adults.
CNN obtained an internal memo from the Chinese website Douyin, which cited the pig was spreading a “negative social influence” that could “potentially hamper positive societal morale.”
SBS News reports the ban comes shortly after a surge in popularity for Peppa Pig tattoos – along with the rhyme that went viral online, “get your Peppa Pig tatt, shout out to your frat”.
“get your Peppa Pig tatt, shout out to your frat”.
The online censorship of the globally beloved children’s character is thought by many to be an over reaction to a joke.
China has strict codes of conduct, rules and regulations around “vulgarity” online enforced by 24/7 media regulators. Due to her affiliation with counter culture society, Peppa Pig now violates those codes of conduct.
The ironic use of a children’s cartoon character as a symbol of rebellion is not new, with Loony Toons and even Winnie the Pooh being censored in China in the past.
Peppa Pig was only introduced to China in 2015, but it became a solid favourite with parents and children quickly.
Is this really the end of Peppa Pig for China? Only time will tell.
