Confronting cyberbullying with law
In today's hyper-connected world, the internet has become a powerful tool for communication, education, and work.
But behind the glow of our screens lurks a darker reality: cyberbullying — a silent epidemic that's tearing through digital communities and leaving real-world scars.
Cyberbullying happens when people use online platforms — like social media, messaging apps, or comment sections — to harass, shame, threaten, or humiliate others.
Unlike traditional bullying, it doesn't stop at the school gate or the office door. It follows victims 24/7, invading the one space that should feel safe — their own homes.
Malaysia now ranks fifth globally for cyberbullying incidents, according to a 2024 report by IPSOS, as reported in Sin Chew Daily.
While this statistic is alarming on its own, what's more concerning is how underreported these cases are.
Many victims suffer in silence — especially women and young people — fearing judgment, a lack of legal protection, or simply because there's no clear or effective way to report abuse.
The nation was rocked in July 2024 by a tragic case that brought the cyberbullying crisis into sharp focus.
On July 5, Malaysians woke to heartbreaking news. A 29-year-old Indian influencer known online as 'Eesha' — real name Rajeswary — was found dead in her family home in Kuala Lumpur after enduring a brutal online harassment campaign.
The abuse, which took place largely on TikTok, included doctored photos used as backdrops for live broadcasts and coordinated attacks by trolls who incited mass ridicule.
Two individuals were arrested soon after. One was charged with criminal intimidation and released on bail of RM36,000; the other was fined a mere RM100 for public insult.
The punishments triggered public outrage, with many Malaysians asking: is that all a life is worth? As Lianhe Zaobao reported, the backlash was swift and overwhelming, and it forced the government to act.
Legal reform amid tragedy
In December 2024, the Malaysian government introduced a landmark legal reform. For the first time, doxing — the act of publishing someone's personal information online with malicious intent — was officially criminalised under amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.
Under the new law, anyone who threatens, insults, or defames another person through digital communication can now face up to 10 years in prison.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, quoted in Ta Kung Pao, emphasised that the government is working to define cyberbullying more precisely and ensure that offenders are held accountable. 'It's time we treat online abuse as seriously as we do real-world threats,' he said.
The rise of cyberbullying reflects a deeper ethical crisis in our digital culture. As digital sociologist Daniel Trottier notes in the European Journal of Communication, the internet can act as a 'magnifier for moral panic,' turning individuals into targets of a rapidly growing digital mob.
Cyberbullying thrives in a digital environment shaped by a dangerous mix of inauthenticity, anonymity, and algorithmic amplification.
Offenders often manipulate or falsify images and information to publicly shame or humiliate their targets, as seen in Eesha's tragic case.
Hidden behind fake profiles, they exploit anonymity to avoid accountability while unleashing verbal violence without restraint.
Making matters worse, social media algorithms tend to boost the most sensational and emotionally charged content — whether true or not — further fuelling online abuse.
Although legal frameworks are slowly catching up, experts like Whittaker and Kowalski note that vague definitions and weak enforcement still leave significant gaps in prosecuting digital harassment.
As Trottier points out, the imbalance of justice is stark: victims shoulder the emotional and financial burden of defending their rights, while perpetrators often walk away with minimal consequences. Together, these factors create a system where cruelty is easy, and justice is hard to reach.
A moral crisis, not just a legal one
While the new law marks progress, cyberbullying isn't just a policy issue — it's a moral and cultural challenge.
How did cruelty and humiliation become online entertainment? What responsibility do platforms, media outlets, and users bear?
Media coverage must also tread carefully. Over-exaggeration or sensationalist headlines can retraumatise victims and inflame tensions.
Ethical journalism demands compassion, accuracy, and restraint — especially when reporting tragedies.
Social media companies, meanwhile, must go beyond symbolic gestures. They have the power to create ethical algorithms, launch real-time moderation, and provide accessible mental health tools. As the main gatekeepers of today's digital discourse, their accountability is critical.
Experts agree that tackling cyberbullying requires more than isolated fixes — it demands a comprehensive, multi-level strategy.
Legal reform is a critical first step, and while Malaysia's new anti-doxing law marks important progress, broader legislation is still needed to address the full range of online abuse.
At the same time, social media platforms must take greater responsibility, investing in real-time monitoring systems and adopting transparent policies that prioritise user safety over engagement metrics.
Education plays a crucial role as well. By embedding digital literacy in schools and community programmes, especially for young users, we can empower individuals to recognise manipulation, think critically, and choose empathy over cruelty.
Lastly, support systems must be strengthened — from expanded mental health services to accessible victim support and confidential reporting channels. Only through this layered approach can we begin to dismantle the digital environments that allow online harm to flourish.
Digital media scholar Elizabeth Whittaker stresses that education must include not just how to use technology — but how to use it ethically.
'Behind every screen is a person,' she reminds us. 'Empathy must be part of our digital DNA.' —July 1, 2025
The authors are from the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya
Main image: GovTech
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