ADDRESSING CYBERBULLYING: AMULTIDIMENSIONAL APPROACH TO LEGISLATIVEAND POLICY SOLUTIONS
- Feb 9
- 1 min read
Abstract
Cyberbullying poses a significant and complex societal challenge, with Malaysia notably ranking second in Asia for youth cyberbullying in 2020, highlighting the urgent need for effective intervention. This paper assesses the current legal and policy frameworks in Malaysia concerning cyberbullying and proposes a comprehensive, multidimensional approach to legislative and policy solutions. Through an analysis of relevant Malaysian statutes, including the Computer Crimes Act 1997, Penal Code, and Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and by considering diverse stakeholder perspectives, our findings indicate that existing laws are inadequate. They lack specific definitions and clear provisions for cyberbullying, and simpler policy options, such as banning minors from social media, have proven impractical. The originality of this study lies in advocating a balanced strategy that integrates specific criminal provisions into existing laws, establishes civil remedies for victims (including those against anonymous offenders), encourages incentivized self-regulation among social media companies, and fosters strong community engagement through parent-school-law enforcement collaborations. This comprehensive framework aims to provide effective legal pathways for victims and cultivate a safer online environment in Malaysia, thereby supporting constitutional rights and promoting societal harmony.
Lee Joe Sern, Multimedia University
Tan Wei Jun, Multimedia University
Comments