You may be threading on thin ice here. School going generations are more exposed to what's going on around them. I would find it hard to explain to them how their government decides what's good or not good for them on the internet. I can understand that you may want to let kids become more aware of things outside China but this may go against current policies. So, unless you are able to keep it level (which I think is very hard with young people), don't do it. On the issue of domestic violence, I think it's venturing into their private lives. Chinese are super conservative when it comes to family matters. Even if it is known that spousal disagreements result in violence, it is seldom spoken in public. There is a great deal of face involved. Nevertheless, you are the man on the ground. Perhaps you may have reasons for wanting to do this? 

Do you seriously have students with good enough English to grasp concepts such as those mentioned?  I teach in a public high school and if I get a student who can offer a coherent answer to even the simplest of questions I can't help but chubby up!

Eg..."Hi, what's your name?"  "I like chicken."  Like that.

Really interesting question, ou812.

In my experience, most students aren't receptive to any foreign criticism of China. This is because:

1. They have been conditioned to perceive other countries as unfairly biased against China (due to American media). Suggesting that China has any problems will immediately confirm this in their minds.

2. China has a culture of giving praise instead of being honest or confronting problems. Chinese people would rather hear positive words than consider the truth or complexity of something.

3. Chinese people don't have the capacity for analysis. They think in slogans, which is to say they don't tend to engage with reality. Trying to explain why censorship of information is a problem is way too abstract.

I teach Western History in a university, and that alone is a very fraught topic. My students are great, but the moment I mention something like "America is a democracy", a number of them become visibly defensive, because they perceive the word “democracy” as a criticism of China.

You should also check your contract. Mine explicitly prohibits me from talking about sensitive topics – those being politics, religion and Chinese history. Fortunately, the requirements of teaching Western History overwrite the first two.

In answer to your question: Don’t talk about the GFW or other political problems in class. Your students probably won’t be receptive, and will resent any perceived criticism of China. Also it’s an unnecessary risk. If a student reports you (this is a real thing) you may have problems. China is very sensitive about foreigners influencing students’ ideology.

All that said, if a student asks (in their own time), talk to them! I occasionally encounter a student who knows they’re not getting the full picture, and is genuinely interested in another perspective, and knowing more than they know. But save such topics for interested students.

i use freegate to get youtube videos for my ielts classes at high school all the time, but if they want to use the computer and pursue their on interests, the vpn is on the computer but the guys put on a computer game and the girls watch handsome boys in korea sing music, they are programmed not to care about politics. i explained the problem in ukraine from the beginning of the country till now and they dont care a bit about it. when i told them if ukraine goes to the eu, russia will for the first time have nato troops on their border, they did not understand the problem at all. clueless.

interesting topic.

I have just come back from a class this evening that i have me for the first time.

the level of apathy is mind-blowing.

while trying to gauge the level of english i began with some fairly basic non-commital questions like:

1   what do you like to do in your free time?

2   what do you like to do?

3   where would you like to travel if you could go anywhere?

only to be met with :

1)+2) nothing / sleeping

3) my home town

most students seem to have been sucked dry in terms of any sort of personality with no hopes or dreams.

i would love to have a student in this class that actually engages on any sort of level.

With the more challenging students, i do engage with more challenging topics, but steer clear of potentially sensitive issues within the class.

Chinese ppl are the most boring ppl on Earth....Not the women.

In my experience most of them know about this kind of stuff already, they are well aware of Facebook and Youtube. They just don't really care because there is access to local made alternatives that are in some aspects superior.

I find that mentioning controversial topics can go well in a class as long as you don't air your views (if they are opposing to the students) too loudly, keep the debate focussed and if it looks like it's getting out of hand be prepared to change the topic very quickly.

In my classes (with adults) I have spoken about Hong Kong, Taiwan, GFoC, etc...I have a good relationship with my students and they know me well enough now that whenever new students come to the class and ask me what countries I've been to I always mention HK and everyone laughs!

I know teachers, professors, and church groups that distribute copies of freegate to every Chinese they know and trust.