Top court urges stricter regulation of minors’ online behavior

In a significant move to safeguard minors in the digital age, China’s Supreme People’s Court has emphasized the urgent need for stricter regulation of children’s online behavior. This directive follows the release of three pivotal cases involving minors, which underscore the growing concerns over internet-related crimes and cyberbullying. The court has mandated judicial bodies nationwide to enhance their handling of such cases and implement robust legal measures to foster a safer online environment for young users. One notable case involved a student, Li, who posted defamatory remarks about his classmate, Wang, on a social media platform. The court ruled that Li’s actions constituted an insult and violated Wang’s right to reputation. Given Li’s minor status and his parents’ failure to fulfill their guardianship duties, the court ordered them to issue a written apology to Wang. The Supreme People’s Court highlighted that minors often lack the emotional maturity to handle conflicts appropriately, which can lead to harmful online behavior. It stressed that the internet is not a lawless space and that minors are subject to legal constraints when expressing themselves online. Parents, as guardians, have a crucial role in guiding their children and will be held accountable for any infringing behavior. Additionally, the court urged collaboration with internet platforms to prevent juvenile crimes. Another case involved two teenagers who extorted over 75,000 yuan by claiming to be practicing online games. The court discovered that they learned these criminal methods through harmful content on a short video platform, prompting a judicial recommendation to strengthen content monitoring. The court praised this proactive approach, noting its dual benefit in preventing juvenile crimes and ensuring the healthy development of the internet industry.