Published: July 24, 2025
A highly embarrassing incident during a virtual summer science camp has gone viral across Chinese social media, after a top-performing university student was caught on camera engaging in a private act during an ongoing video conference.
According to mainland reports, the summer research program was being held online and gathered elite science and engineering students from renowned universities across China. During one of the academic exchange sessions, a male student—identified in reports only as “Yuan”—forgot to turn off his webcam and was seen masturbating in front of the camera.
The act, which was broadcast to all participants, left students and faculty members in shock. Despite his outstanding academic record and multiple accolades in national mechanical design competitions, Yuan’s conduct during the online session has overshadowed his academic achievements.
Social media platforms lit up with reactions from netizens, many describing the situation as a case of “social death,” with comments like “How could he make such a mistake?”, “His future will be difficult,” and “This is a scandal that damages academic dignity.”
The video clip was widely circulated online, though many platforms have since attempted to take it down due to its explicit content. As of now, the student’s university has not released an official statement regarding any disciplinary action.
While some users online expressed sympathy, citing the pressures faced by students and calling for compassion, others harshly criticized the student’s lack of awareness and self-control during a formal academic gathering.
The incident has sparked broader conversations about digital etiquette, personal conduct, and the consequences of online exposure—especially for young professionals and scholars navigating hybrid learning and professional environments.
