Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution and characteristics of social risks associated with network technology in China over the past 30 years, emphasizing the need for proactive measures in data governance, capital operation, and political communication to mitigate these risks and enhance national security [2][3][32]. Group 1: Evolution of Network Technology - The internet era in China began in 1994, leading to a significant increase in internet users, reaching 1.108 billion by December 2024, with an internet penetration rate of 78.6% [3]. - Network technology has evolved through various stages: Web 1.0 (static pages), Web 2.0 (interactive platforms), Web 3.0 (decentralized systems), and Web 4.0 (AI and metaverse), each contributing to a complex interplay of benefits and risks [4]. Group 2: Social Benefits of Network Technology - Network technology enhances individual empowerment by facilitating knowledge flow and reshaping power structures, allowing users to influence public discourse [5]. - It stimulates individual potential by transforming users from passive recipients to active participants in information dissemination and resource allocation [5]. - The technology promotes market competition by increasing transparency and reducing information asymmetry, enabling users to make informed decisions [5]. Group 3: Negative Effects of Technological Evolution - The transition from single products to ecological platforms has led to chaotic competition among major platforms, resulting in resource misallocation [6]. - Users initially attracted by subsidies may later face monopolistic practices, including price discrimination and reduced market competition, which challenge the normal functioning of the market [7]. Group 4: Specific Manifestations of Social Risks - The rapid evolution of network technology has outpaced the ability of social institutions to adapt, leading to new social risks in data governance, capital, and political spheres [8]. Group 5: Data Governance Challenges - Over-collection of data and algorithmic control mechanisms pose significant risks, leading to information silos and echo chambers that distort public perception [10]. - The pervasive collection of personal data raises privacy concerns, resulting in decreased social trust and increased vulnerability to data exploitation [11]. Group 6: Capital-Driven Alienation - The intertwining of network technology and capital has led to monopolistic platforms that stifle competition and innovation, creating a market dominated by a few major players [14][15]. - The exploitation of digital labor through algorithmic control has raised concerns about workers' rights and the ethical implications of such practices [18]. Group 7: Political Intervention Risks - Network technology has been used to manipulate political discourse through social bots, impacting public opinion and political stability [20]. - Social media serves as a platform for mobilizing social movements, which can both empower citizens and pose risks to governance [22]. Group 8: Pathways for Risk Mitigation - Proactive measures are needed in value guidance, institutional regulation, technological empowerment, and multi-stakeholder governance to effectively address the social risks posed by network technology [23]. - Establishing a layered regulatory framework and ensuring data sovereignty are critical for protecting individual privacy and enhancing data security [25][26]. - Encouraging technological innovation while anticipating risks through simulation and predictive measures can help in managing future challenges [29][30].

Group 1 - The 2025 World Digital Education Conference opened in Wuhan with the theme "Education Development and Transformation: Intelligent Era," attracting education leaders and representatives from various countries and regions to discuss the future of global digital education [1] - The conference spans three days and includes an opening ceremony, plenary sessions, ten parallel meetings, and a closing ceremony, focusing on both the digital transformation of traditional education and emerging fields such as generative artificial intelligence and digital ethics [1] - Participants engaged in deep discussions on how education in the intelligent era can achieve inclusivity, equity, and sustainable development, providing diverse solutions for global education governance [1] Group 2 - Five milestone digital education achievements will be announced during the conference, including the "China Smart Education White Paper" and the "Global Digital Education Development Index 2025," aimed at promoting the establishment of an innovative, safe, and inclusive international digital education community [2] - The Global Digital Education Development Index 2025, developed by the Chinese Academy of Educational Sciences, covers 72 countries and introduces a new "AI + Education" indicator to assess digital education competitiveness globally [2] - The "Digital Education Cooperation Wuhan Initiative" calls for international collaboration to build digital education standards, share quality educational resources, and accelerate the implementation of the 2024 United Nations Future Summit's "Global Digital Pact" to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal for education [2]