On Friday, a man surnamed Xu, a 31-year-old diving enthusiast, was given a 10-day administrative detention and fined by police in Guangdong province for using derogatory language against three-time Olympic gold medalist Quan Hongchan in a WeChat group he created. Other group members were also punished for the same behavior.

The move came after the Ersha Sports Training Center of Guangdong province issued a statement highlighting that Quan has faced unwarranted public pressure and psychological harm due to online attacks and that it had reported the matter to the police. The same day, the swimming management center of the General Administration of Sport of China expressed support for these legal measures, emphasizing that cyberbullying and malicious attacks will not be tolerated and will be dealt with seriously.

The sports authorities were prompted to act by Chinese media reports that the cyberbullying Quan has endured may have originated from a WeChat group with over 200 members. The creator of the group, Xu, informed members not to attack other athletes, only Quan. This was not a space for communication; it was organized, premeditated and collective bullying.

As the 19-year-old athlete's body changed with maturity and her performances fluctuated, some people, including her fans, turned against her overnight. Under the guise of "tough love", they inflicted real harm on her mental health. "Please stop bullying me," Quan pleaded, weeping, in a recent interview.

Cyberbullying is not a joke, nor is it free speech. It does immense harm, and it is rightly illegal. It is a weapon that can destroy lives.

Under Chinese law, publicly insulting someone can lead to detention or a fine. In serious cases, it can be prosecuted as a crime of insult or defamation, carrying a maximum sentence of three years in prison. The law is clear, but enforcement must be robust.

Quan's decision to involve the police is correct, rational and courageous. Only by using legal means can victims hold perpetrators accountable. However, the responsibility cannot rest solely on victims. Online platforms must not ignore their role.

China's Cybersecurity Law mandates that platform operators delete or block illegal content immediately upon discovery and prevent its spread. Yet, in practice, it often takes a week for a single cyberbullying report to be processed, and banned accounts frequently reappear under new names. Platforms cannot claim "zero tolerance" while making it difficult for users to report abuse and issuing only mild punishments. Proactive monitoring, removal of abusive content, strict account bans and cooperation with law enforcement are the responsibilities platforms must uphold. If technology can target ads precisely, it can also block cyberbullying effectively.

Regulatory oversight should also be strengthened. Departments such as the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology must not wait till the psychological damage is done to take action. Regular supervision is essential. Platforms with poor performance should face hefty fines. Enforcement must be substantive, not just rhetoric.

Additionally, the judicial authorities are duty-bound to severely punish those bullying others in cyberspace to strictly protect people's rights to privacy, reputation, life and health.

To address difficulties for individuals in collecting evidence, the Supreme People's Court, along with the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security, jointly issued a guideline in September 2023, which clarifies that when individuals allege online insults or defamation, but courts find it hard for the victims to provide evidence, judges can ask police to assist in the collection of evidence.

It also specifies when prosecutors can take action, such as allowing them to initiate public interest litigation if they discover internet service providers do not take measures or perform their duties when cyberbullying happens on their platforms, causing improper or even illegal content to be spread online.

Anti-cyberbullying systems have been established and are continually being improved. But real implementation is key. The person bullied online today could be you tomorrow. The fight against cyberbullying is not about protecting any single individual; it is about safeguarding all of us. A civilized and healthy online environment requires everyone's efforts, and the rule of law is the sharpest tool to defend it.

- Cao Yin, China Daily