Tougher action urged against online bullying

Action on way

Soon after the death of Liu, the teacher in Henan, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the nation's top internet regulator, issued a notice requiring online platforms to establish and improve a long-term work mechanism to prevent online bullying and to increase the punishment for perpetrators.

The administration also ordered internet platforms to set up early-warning systems and enhance their ability to spot online bullying and respond more quickly to reports of such incidents from users.

According to the notice, online platforms should prohibit strangers from sharing posts, and refuse comments from unknown users if bullying is suspected.

It said livestreaming and short-video platforms are major targets for inspection, adding that those holding accounts where there is improper behavior will be banned from posting, or the accounts will even be shut down.

In April, the administration launched a similar campaign against online bullying on 18 online platforms, including Sina Weibo and short-video sharing giant Douyin.

Data from Sina Weibo show that in August it punished more than 18,000 accounts where online bullying was reported from April 24 to July 31, removing over 19.31 million harmful posts, such as those involving discrimination, or which triggered public concern.

To step up prevention of online bullying, Sina Weibo users can refuse messages from strangers for seven consecutive days and prohibit comments, sharing or account following from strangers.

The principal from Hangzhou said her primary school has trained teachers to use remote online systems in classes since early 2020, when the pandemic emerged.

"To guarantee the security of online classes, attempts by non-students to enter these classrooms must be permitted by teachers," she said. "If they find that strangers or students have disturbed order in class, teachers have been told to press a button to mute them.

"Keeping classes safe and orderly, whether they are online or offline, must always be the top priority," she said, calling for the authorities to further regulate the online environment and cultivate digital skills among those in the education sector.

More suggestions

In March, Li Dongsheng, a national lawmaker and founder of consumer electronics provider TCL, suggested that China make greater efforts to target online bullying through legislation.

He told Legal Daily the cost of insulting, slandering or spreading rumors in cyberspace is small, but the harm this does to victims is big.

Li said content regarding online bullying can be found in various legal documents, including the Civil Code, the Criminal Law and the Cybersecurity Law, "but isn't strong, nor effective when applied". Li added that this is why he submitted a proposal to the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, to solve the problem by introducing a special law.

Li Zongsheng, another national lawmaker and a lawyer from Liaoning province, said those who frequently attack others by using crude language or posting vulgar pictures can be limited from accessing online platforms for a certain time as punishment.

"Furthermore, initiating public-interest litigation on cybersecurity or data security may also be a better way for those experiencing online bullying to protect their legitimate rights and keep themselves from harm," he said.

"Put simply, the crackdown against online bullying should be developed in a comprehensive and scientific fashion, and it needs everyone, including individuals, internet operators, government agencies and social organizations, to play their part," he said.

While highlighting the significance of combating those who incite online bullying, he suggested every internet user should enhance their legal awareness and surf cyberspace in a civilized manner.

"We may also become victims at times, so regulating our behavior protects both ourselves and others," he added.