Chinese authorities are taking steps to combat cyberbullying by developing a draft regulatory act proposing to introduce criminal liability for certain online activities. According to an article by China Daily, the proposed act will target online activities related to slander, insults, violations of personal life, and damage to the reputation of citizens causing serious harm to society. Victims of cyberbullying often suffer from mental health problems which can lead to suicide. However, it is often difficult for victims to identify their attackers and gather necessary evidence to contact law enforcement agencies.
The proposed regulatory act will require courts, prosecutors, and state security bodies to better understand the dangers of cyberbullying and provide support to victims. The act also lists a number of offenses that can qualify as cyberbullying, such as creating and spreading slander on individuals or causing damage to someone’s reputation leading to grave consequences.
The authors of the project propose to prosecute offenders for such acts under criminal liability in accordance with the Criminal Code of the People’s Republic of China. The courts will also show more strictness towards those who bully children and disable people or create inappropriate content on sexual topics.
This regulatory act is part of a broader effort to address online harassment in China. With this proposed measure, the Chinese government aims to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens online.