Prevention of Cyberbullying

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what measures is the Ministry taking to tighten laws to bring cyber bullies to book; (b) how many of such bullying cases were reported to the Ministry over the past two years; (c) what actions were taken against these offenders; and (d) what is the Ministry doing regarding the recent case of a grassroots volunteer whose personal particulars were posted in online forums and websites after he engaged some netizens on Government policies.

Mr Teo Chee Hean: Current laws do not target cyberbullying specifically. However, there are existing laws that can apply against cyberbullying. For example, cyberbullying may amount to criminal intimidation under the Penal Code. This is an offence which carries a penalty of imprisonment and/or a fine. In cases involving serious threats, such as threats to cause death or grievous hurt, the penalty is more severe, with a longer term of imprisonment. Other offences, such as extortion or insulting the modesty of a woman, can also apply.

My Ministry is working with the Ministry of Law and MICA to consider whether cyberbullying needs to be targeted more explicitly. In addition, we are reviewing other criminal legislation enacted before the Internet age to ensure that undesirable acts perpetrated via electronic means can similarly be punishable as criminal offences.

Given the viral speed at which offensive material can spread on the Internet, we are also exploring whether to legislatively provide for a wider range of judicial injunctions to offer victims relief prior to the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

In addition to criminal sanctions, a victim of cyberbullying may also obtain a civil injunction from the Court to restrain the perpetrator. MHA and the Ministry of Law are also reviewing whether the existing civil remedies need to be enhanced to address acts of cyberbullying.

I do not have the details of the specific case you have mentioned. Nonetheless, in a scenario where the personal particulars of an Internet user are disseminated over the Internet by other parties, this may or may not amount to an offence, depending on the specific facts and circumstances of each case, such as whether the particulars were disseminated in conjunction with a threat.

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As there is no specific cyberbullying offence, Police do not keep statistics on cyberbullying per se . The problem appears small at present but may be an emerging issue given the high Internet penetration in Singapore.