By outdoor-nature-child.com Yang Shihao
“Every word feels like a bullet fired,” a netizen aptly captured the destructive power of online violence. This silent yet lethal phenomenon prompts us to consider effective ways to tackle this persistent societal issue. Perpetrators often operate like ghosts, hidden within the depths of the internet. In this invisible battle, hostility and insults frequently obscure the true nature of events. Meanwhile, the pain experienced by victims is very real and often irreparable. Alarmingly, online violence can easily ignite emotional turmoil on the internet, artificially creating a rift in social values that ultimately impacts our real lives. To fundamentally combat this issue, we must establish a scientific governance system that incorporates legal reforms, innovative technological solutions, and improved online ecology.
As of August 1st, the “Regulations on the Governance of Online Violence Information” (hereafter referred to as the “Regulations”) came into effect, introduced by the National Internet Information Office in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the State Administration of Radio and Television. This follows a series of legal frameworks, such as the Cybersecurity Law, the Personal Information Protection Law, and regulations for the protection of minors online, all aimed at addressing online violence. The implementation of the “Regulations” further solidifies the governance framework for online violence, signaling a firm stance against such behavior and a commitment to protect the legal rights of internet users.
The “Regulations” comprise 34 articles designed to tightly weave a regulatory net. For instance, recognizing that anonymous online interactions can lead to untouchable verbal abuse, the Regulations mandate that online service providers must verify users’ real identity information. Additionally, on the front of early warning systems, the Regulations require that online service providers establish characteristic databases for online violence information, sample libraries of typical cases, and warning models to enhance monitoring and timely detection of risks related to online violence. Experts have noted that the Regulations create a comprehensive governance model that encompasses preemptive, ongoing, and remedial actions. They also address pressing social concerns, protect minors, and prohibit “influencers” profiting from misinformation, employing various measures to minimize potential hostilities online.
While we celebrate the implementation of the “Regulations,” we must also acknowledge that addressing online violence is more than just creating laws; it serves as a foundational “base” or “baseline.” The chaos of online violence often reflects the emotional outbursts of individuals in real life, the opportunistic pursuit of traffic in the internet economy, and the fleeting curiosities of a less-engaged audience.
In reality, online violence is intensifying, presenting growing challenges to effective governance. Under the dual pressures of capital and traffic, some influential netizens and users may be easily swayed by profit, disseminating misinformation or participating in online harassment, which complicates the regulatory environment. A common issue is that platforms use “filter bubble technology” to curate and confine users to specific information silos, influencing or even dictating their thinking. Moreover, existing governance methods often do not align well with the unique characteristics of cyberspace, as the difficulty and cost of enforcing laws hampers effective action against perpetrators of online violence.
Consequently, online violence is not merely a legal issue; it is a complex social challenge and extends beyond the online realm, affecting tangible realities. With the rapid development of the internet, the boundaries between the virtual and real worlds are becoming increasingly blurred, even accelerating their integration. As the nature of the internet continues to evolve, our approach to addressing problems within this domain must also be dynamic and progressive, avoiding rigid, outdated thinking.
From the standpoint of social governance, addressing online violence requires recognition that this is a long-term and systemic battle. It’s essential to have not only rules but also frameworks. We need to establish a comprehensive, multi-tiered governance system that fosters preventative measures, control mechanisms, and collaborative governance. For example, creating a governance structure that incorporates “government-platform-user” relationships is vital. At the government level, responsibilities must be clearly defined among relevant departments to encourage cooperation. For platforms, there should be explicit obligations to combat online violence along with reinforced accountability. Regarding users, it is crucial to outline their responsibilities in preventing online violence and develop robust systems for reporting and protecting their rights.
Equally important is to foster economic growth, improve living standards, and enhance the availability of quality cultural products. In essence, we need to improve people’s lives, enriching both their material and spiritual well-being. The more fulfilling one’s material life is and the more robust their inner world becomes, the less susceptible they are to being influenced by external narratives, reducing the desire to partake in online violence while increasing awareness against it.
Ultimately, this could be the fundamental solution to the problem.