Protecting people from online hate

KUALA LUMPUR: Calls for stronger measures to combat cyberbullying have intensified, with various parties urging the government to bolster laws and take proactive initiatives to raise awareness.

Universiti Sains Malaysia criminologist and psychologist Assoc Prof Dr Geshina Ayu Mat Saat said improvements must continue to be made in terms of legislation, policies, education and proactive safety measures for applications and social media to effectively curb cyberbullying.

“There is a need for specialised regulation to combat cyberbullying, especially on social media, and to stop opportunities for such misconduct,” she said.

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Geshina highlighted that while current laws – including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 – address cyber-related issues to some extent, they fall short of adequately protecting children in the digital realm.

She stressed the importance of focusing on perpetrators, understanding their motivations, enhancing safe operational systems, as well as not solely concentrating on victims.

“All parties have the responsibility to ensure the Internet is safe for users and is free of wrongdoing or crime,” she said, calling for sustained collaboration among families, schools, communities and the government to foster empathy and respect among people.

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As for the effects of cyberbullying, Geshina underscored the psychological scars victims endure, often leading to tragic outcomes.

“In fact, there are a number of children, teenagers and adults who have taken their own lives due to cyberbullying,” she lamented.

Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Theft (Marah) founder Dave Avran proposed linking individuals’ social media accounts and channels to their MyKad to reduce cyberbullying incidents.

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He said the latest case, where cyberbullying allegedly led to the death of an influencer and social activist, was not an isolated one.

“I am a firm believer in taking responsibility for one’s social media posts.

“While my personal opinion will surely be unpopular, I would like to see every individual’s social media channels linked to their MyKad or passport and for corporate accounts to be linked to the Registry of Societies or Companies Commission of Malaysia, whichever is applicable,” he added.

While it might infringe on freedom of speech, Avran said the harsh reality is that lives are being destroyed by irresponsible cyberbullies hiding behind fake accounts.

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“You can say it’s akin to allowing a 15-year-old kid to drive a truck because he has a fake identification card or licence saying he is a 38-year-old adult,” he said.

Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said addressing cyberbullying requires a multi-pronged and comprehensive approach, including strengthening legislation and creating more awareness through education.

He said existing laws need to be updated to explicitly address cyberbullying, with clear definitions and harsher penalties.

“This includes provisions for holding platforms accountable for moderating content and protecting users. Introduce comprehensive cyberbullying laws that clearly define and penalise various forms of online harassment and bullying in Malaysia, including specific provisions for different types of cyberbullying – such as cyberstalking and online hate speech.

“Amend existing laws to incorporate heavier penalties for repeat offenders and those causing significant harm. This could involve higher fines, longer imprisonment terms, as well as mandatory counselling programmes for offenders,” he said.

Law enforcement agencies must be equipped with the resources and training to investigate and prosecute cyberbullying cases effectively, including collaborating with technology companies to track down perpetrators, added Lee.