Lantern · Asia
AsiaCyberbullying law, country by country
Asia has no single regional framework, so each country sets its own rules. Japan, South Korea, China, the Philippines and, since 2026, Malaysia have national laws that require schools to tackle bullying, and new rules on social media age limits and school phones are spreading fast. Here is what applies where, in plain English.
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Profiles of countries in Asia
Country
China
Child protection law makes schools prevent bullying and bans cyberbullying of minors; phones are kept out of classrooms.
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One point for each of the seven questions answered yes, half a point for partly. Where a rule is set nationally, the national answer counts. A quick guide, not a legal rating.
- Yes:
Do schools have to have anti-bullying rules?
Yes. The Law on the Protection of Minors requires every school to set up a system to prevent and control student bullying.
Legal detail and sources
Article 39 of the Law on the Protection of Minors (revised 2020, in force 1 June 2021) requires schools to educate staff and students about bullying, stop it promptly and inform parents. The Ministry of Education's 2021 Provisions on the Protection of Minors in Schools set out the detailed steps.
- Yes:
Do those rules cover online bullying?
Yes. The law forbids insulting, slandering or threatening minors online, and lets children and parents ask platforms to delete, block or unlink harmful content.
Legal detail and sources
Article 77 of the Law on the Protection of Minors. Platforms that receive such a notice must act promptly.
- Yes:
Is there a regulator that can get harmful posts taken down?
Yes. The Cyberspace Administration of China oversees platforms. Since August 2024 they must detect and remove 'cyberviolence information' and give minors priority protection.
Legal detail and sources
Provisions on the Governance of Cyberviolence Information, in force 1 August 2024. A draft Anti-Cyberviolence Law was published for public comment on 29 July 2026.
- Partly:
Is there a minimum age for social media?
No social media minimum age, but platforms must offer a 'minor mode' and limit use by minors, and need a guardian's consent to process the data of children under 14.
Legal detail and sources
Regulations on the Protection of Minors Online (in force 1 January 2024) and the Personal Information Protection Law.
- Yes:
What are the rules on phones at school?
Yes. Since 2021, Ministry of Education rules keep phones out of primary and secondary classrooms. Students may bring one only with a parent's written request and must hand it in.
Legal detail and sources
Some cities, such as Zhengzhou, have since written school phone bans into local law.
- Yes:
When is online abuse a crime?
Yes. Serious online insult and defamation are crimes, and 2023 judicial guidance tells courts to punish cyberviolence severely, especially against minors.
Legal detail and sources
Criminal Law Articles 246 (insult and defamation) and 253-1 (personal information); Guiding Opinions on Punishing Cyber Violence (2023).
- Yes:
What guidance do staff and counselors get?
Yes. Schools must train staff to prevent and handle bullying under the law and the 2021 school protection provisions.
Country
Indonesia
New 28 March 2026: Indonesia: under-16s barred from high-risk platforms
Every school must have a violence-prevention team, and under-16s have been barred from high-risk platforms since March 2026.
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One point for each of the seven questions answered yes, half a point for partly. Where a rule is set nationally, the national answer counts. A quick guide, not a legal rating.
- Yes:
Do schools have to have anti-bullying rules?
Yes. A 2023 education ministry regulation requires every school to prevent and handle violence, including bullying, and to set up a prevention and response team (TPPK).
Legal detail and sources
Permendikbudristek No. 46 of 2023 on the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Education Units (PPKSP) replaced a 2015 regulation. Provincial and district governments must form task forces (Satgas). The ministry has said it is reviewing the regulation.
- Yes:
Do those rules cover online bullying?
Yes. The regulation covers violence, including bullying, carried out through information and communication technology as well as in person.
Legal detail and sources
- Yes:
Is there a regulator that can get harmful posts taken down?
Yes. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) can order platforms to remove content or block services, and enforces child-protection duties under PP Tunas.
Legal detail and sources
Sanctions for platforms include warnings, fines, suspension and termination of access.
- Yes:
Is there a minimum age for social media?
Yes. Since 28 March 2026, platforms classed as high-risk must deactivate accounts held by children under 16.
Legal detail and sources
Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 (PP Tunas) and Ministerial Regulation No. 9 of 2026. Named platforms include YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox. Enforcement is being phased in.
- No:
What are the rules on phones at school?
No national rule. Schools and regional governments set their own phone policies.
- Partly:
When is online abuse a crime?
Partly. There is no bullying offence, but online defamation and threats are crimes under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, amended in 2024. Children are dealt with under the juvenile justice system.
Legal detail and sources
Law No. 1 of 2024, Articles 27A and 27B. The 2024 amendment also added duties on platforms to protect children (Article 16A).
- Yes:
What guidance do staff and counselors get?
Yes. Each school's prevention team includes teachers, and the regulation requires schools to train and inform staff, students and parents.
Legal detail and sources
Country
Japan
A dedicated anti-bullying law since 2013 covers online bullying; since 2025 big platforms must answer removal requests quickly.
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One point for each of the seven questions answered yes, half a point for partly. Where a rule is set nationally, the national answer counts. A quick guide, not a legal rating.
- Yes:
Do schools have to have anti-bullying rules?
Yes. The Act for the Promotion of Measures to Prevent Bullying (2013) requires every school to adopt an anti-bullying policy and set up an anti-bullying team.
Legal detail and sources
Act No. 71 of 2013. Schools must investigate suspected bullying and report 'serious incidents' to their founding body, and the school or founding body must investigate them.
- Yes:
Do those rules cover online bullying?
Yes. The law's definition of bullying includes acts done over the internet, and schools and governments must take measures against online bullying.
Legal detail and sources
Article 2 (definition) and Article 19 (measures against bullying through the internet).
- Partly:
Is there a regulator that can get harmful posts taken down?
Partly. There is no takedown regulator, but since April 2025 the largest platforms must set up removal-request channels and answer requests within set deadlines.
Legal detail and sources
Information Distribution Platform Act (formerly the Provider Liability Limitation Act), in force 1 April 2025. Designated platforms include Google, LINE Yahoo, Meta, TikTok and X. The Ministry of Justice's human rights bureaus can also ask platforms to delete abusive posts.
- No:
Is there a minimum age for social media?
No legal minimum age. A government panel rejected a blanket age ban in June 2026, favouring stronger age checks and safer default settings instead.
Legal detail and sources
Most platforms set 13 as their own minimum.
- Partly:
What are the rules on phones at school?
No national ban. Under 2020 education ministry guidance, junior high schools may let students bring phones under conditions, but not use them in school; high schools set their own rules.
- Partly:
When is online abuse a crime?
There is no bullying offence, but online insults can be prosecuted. Since 2022 the penalty for insult can include up to one year in prison.
Legal detail and sources
Penal Code Article 231 (insult), strengthened in July 2022; defamation (Article 230), intimidation and stalking laws can also apply.
- Yes:
What guidance do staff and counselors get?
Yes. Each school's anti-bullying team includes teachers and specialists such as school counselors, and the law calls for staff training.
Legal detail and sources
Articles 18 and 22 of the Act.
Country
Malaysia
New 16 June 2026: Malaysia's Anti-Bullying Act 2026 and Anti-Bullying Tribunal start
A new Anti-Bullying Act and tribunal since June 2026, bullying offences in the Penal Code, and an under-16 social media rule.
Compare with anywhere else Open the full page for MalaysiaProtection score
One point for each of the seven questions answered yes, half a point for partly. Where a rule is set nationally, the national answer counts. A quick guide, not a legal rating.
- Yes:
Do schools have to have anti-bullying rules?
Yes. The Anti-Bullying Act 2026 (Act 876), in force since 16 June 2026, sets duties for schools and created an Anti-Bullying Tribunal.
Legal detail and sources
The Act covers children under 18, including students in schools, tahfiz schools and MARA institutions. Schools must have anti-bullying policies, child-friendly reporting channels and counselling support. Complaints can go to the free Anti-Bullying Tribunal, and parents can be held jointly liable for its awards.
- Yes:
Do those rules cover online bullying?
Yes. Malaysia's bullying laws cover acts done online, including the Penal Code offences in force since July 2025.
Legal detail and sources
- Yes:
Is there a regulator that can get harmful posts taken down?
Yes. Under the Online Safety Act 2025 (in force 1 January 2026), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) can require licensed platforms to deal with harmful content.
Legal detail and sources
The Act applies to platforms with at least 8 million users in Malaysia.
- Yes:
Is there a minimum age for social media?
Yes. Since 1 June 2026, major licensed platforms must verify users' ages and stop children under 16 from registering accounts.
Legal detail and sources
Child Protection Code under the Online Safety Act 2025. Fines can reach RM10 million.
- Yes:
What are the rules on phones at school?
Yes. A 2018 Ministry of Education circular bars students from bringing smartphones to school; tablets and laptops may be allowed with school approval.
Legal detail and sources
- Yes:
When is online abuse a crime?
Yes. Since 11 July 2025, sections 507B to 507G of the Penal Code make bullying, harassment, doxxing and causing distress crimes, with heavier penalties if the victim self-harms or attempts suicide.
Legal detail and sources
Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025 (Act A1750) and Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 2025.
- Yes:
What guidance do staff and counselors get?
Yes. The Anti-Bullying Act expects schools to train staff to prevent and respond to bullying.
Country
Philippines
The Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 covers cyberbullying, with tougher rules since 2025 and no phones in class from 2026.
Compare with anywhere else Open the full page for PhilippinesProtection score
One point for each of the seven questions answered yes, half a point for partly. Where a rule is set nationally, the national answer counts. A quick guide, not a legal rating.
- Yes:
Do schools have to have anti-bullying rules?
Yes. The Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (Republic Act No. 10627) requires every elementary and secondary school to adopt an anti-bullying policy.
Legal detail and sources
Revised implementing rules signed in August 2025 require all public and private basic education schools to adopt a standard policy, post it and include it in handbooks. DepEd keeps a central record of cases.
- Yes:
Do those rules cover online bullying?
Yes. The Act's definition of bullying includes cyberbullying through any technology or electronic means.
Legal detail and sources
- No:
Is there a regulator that can get harmful posts taken down?
No. There is no regulator that orders bullying posts taken down. Report them to the platform, and to the police for online crimes.
- No:
Is there a minimum age for social media?
No legal minimum age for social media.
- Yes:
What are the rules on phones at school?
Yes. DepEd Order No. 6, s. 2026 bans learners' and staff use of phones and gadgets during class hours, except for learning, emergencies or medical needs.
Legal detail and sources
DepEd has said it is studying whether to extend the ban to break times.
- Partly:
When is online abuse a crime?
Partly. Bullying itself is handled by schools, but cyber libel, online threats and gender-based online harassment are crimes. Children 15 and under are exempt from criminal liability.
Legal detail and sources
Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175), Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) and Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344).
- Yes:
What guidance do staff and counselors get?
Yes. The rules require schools to train staff and set up referral systems, and each school should have a learner formation officer.
Country
Singapore
New 29 June 2026: Singapore's Online Safety Commission begins taking reports
No school bullying statute, but a new Online Safety Commission can order harmful posts taken down, and phones are off all school day.
Compare with anywhere else Open the full page for SingaporeProtection score
One point for each of the seven questions answered yes, half a point for partly. Where a rule is set nationally, the national answer counts. A quick guide, not a legal rating.
- Partly:
Do schools have to have anti-bullying rules?
Partly. There is no anti-bullying law for schools; the Ministry of Education sets anti-bullying and discipline policy for schools.
- Partly:
Do those rules cover online bullying?
Partly. School policies cover online bullying, and the Protection from Harassment Act covers harassment online.
Legal detail and sources
- Yes:
Is there a regulator that can get harmful posts taken down?
Yes. Since 29 June 2026 the Online Safety Commission can order users, group administrators and platforms to remove content, block access or restrict accounts.
Legal detail and sources
Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act 2025. The first phase covers online harassment, doxxing, online stalking, intimate image abuse and image-based child abuse. For harassment and stalking, victims usually report to the platform first.
- Partly:
Is there a minimum age for social media?
No social media minimum age in law. App stores must check users' ages under a code issued by the Infocomm Media Development Authority.
Legal detail and sources
Code of Practice for Online Safety for App Distribution Services.
- Yes:
What are the rules on phones at school?
Yes. Primary students may not use smartphones during school hours, and since January 2026 the same applies to secondary students, including recess and co-curricular activities.
- Yes:
When is online abuse a crime?
Yes. Harassment, stalking and doxxing are offences under the Protection from Harassment Act, and victims can seek protection orders.
Legal detail and sources
- Partly:
What guidance do staff and counselors get?
Partly. There is no legal duty; staff guidance on bullying comes from Ministry of Education policy.
Country
South Korea
New 1 March 2026: South Korea: law bans phones in class
A school violence law names cyberbullying, and a national law has banned phones in class since March 2026.
Compare with anywhere else Open the full page for South KoreaProtection score
One point for each of the seven questions answered yes, half a point for partly. Where a rule is set nationally, the national answer counts. A quick guide, not a legal rating.
- Yes:
Do schools have to have anti-bullying rules?
Yes. The Act on the Prevention of and Countermeasures against Violence in Schools (2004) requires every school to prevent and respond to school violence.
Legal detail and sources
Serious cases go to a deliberation committee at the local education office. From the 2026 admissions cycle, all universities must take school violence records into account.
- Yes:
Do those rules cover online bullying?
Yes. The Act lists cyberbullying among the forms of school violence, and anyone who learns of school violence must report it.
- Partly:
Is there a regulator that can get harmful posts taken down?
Partly. Korea's communications standards body can review harmful posts and ask platforms to delete or block them, but there is no dedicated takedown service for children.
- Partly:
Is there a minimum age for social media?
No social media minimum age yet, though apps need a parent's consent to collect data from children under 14. The regulator floated an under-14 sign-up limit in July 2026.
Legal detail and sources
A bill on age checks for large social media services was introduced in the National Assembly in October 2026.
- Yes:
What are the rules on phones at school?
Yes. Since March 2026 the Elementary and Secondary Education Act bans students' use of phones and smart devices in class, with exceptions for learning, disability and emergencies.
Legal detail and sources
Principals and teachers may also restrict devices elsewhere in school, and many schools have chosen full-day bans.
- Partly:
When is online abuse a crime?
Partly. There is no bullying offence, but online defamation, insults, threats, stalking and sharing sexual images are crimes. Children aged 10 to 13 receive juvenile protective measures instead of criminal punishment.
- Yes:
What guidance do staff and counselors get?
Yes. The Act requires school violence prevention education for students, staff and parents.
Jurisdiction
Taiwan
National campus anti-bullying regulations cover cyberbullying, and phones are collected during school hours for younger students.
Compare with anywhere else Open the full page for TaiwanProtection score
One point for each of the seven questions answered yes, half a point for partly. Where a rule is set nationally, the national answer counts. A quick guide, not a legal rating.
- Yes:
Do schools have to have anti-bullying rules?
Yes. The Ministry of Education's Regulations Governing the Prevention and Control of Bullying on Campuses require every school to set up an anti-bullying response team and follow set investigation steps.
Legal detail and sources
The regulations were substantially revised in 2024, including how bullying by teachers or staff is investigated.
- Yes:
Do those rules cover online bullying?
Yes. Since a 2020 revision, the regulations expressly cover bullying online.
- Partly:
Is there a regulator that can get harmful posts taken down?
Partly. There is no takedown regulator for bullying, but 2023 laws require platforms to restrict or remove non-consensual sexual images when notified.
Legal detail and sources
- No:
Is there a minimum age for social media?
No social media minimum age set in law.
- Yes:
What are the rules on phones at school?
Yes. Under Ministry of Education rules announced in 2025, elementary and junior high students may bring phones only with parental consent, and they are stored centrally during school hours.
Legal detail and sources
High schools set one school-wide rule agreed by teachers, parents and students.
- Partly:
When is online abuse a crime?
Partly. There is no bullying offence, but defamation, threats and stalking are crimes, and since 2023 sharing sexual images without consent, including deepfakes, can bring up to five years in prison.
Legal detail and sources
Criminal Code Articles 319-1 to 319-6, added in 2023.
- Yes:
What guidance do staff and counselors get?
Yes. The regulations require schools to run anti-bullying education and training for staff, students and parents.
Country
Vietnam
A 2017 decree makes schools prevent school violence, and parents must register and supervise social media accounts for under-16s.
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One point for each of the seven questions answered yes, half a point for partly. Where a rule is set nationally, the national answer counts. A quick guide, not a legal rating.
- Yes:
Do schools have to have anti-bullying rules?
Yes. Decree 80/2017/ND-CP on a safe, healthy, friendly and violence-free education environment requires schools to plan for preventing and responding to school violence.
Legal detail and sources
School violence includes abuse, beating, verbal abuse, insults to dignity, isolation and other acts that harm students physically or mentally.
- Partly:
Do those rules cover online bullying?
Partly. The decree does not single out online bullying, but schools must teach safe social media use, and a 2026 ministry directive bans filming and sharing school violence videos.
- Yes:
Is there a regulator that can get harmful posts taken down?
Yes. Under Decree 147/2024, platforms must remove illegal content at the request of the authorities, generally within 24 hours.
Legal detail and sources
Decree 147/2024/ND-CP, in force 25 December 2024. Accounts must be verified with a Vietnamese phone number or ID number.
- Partly:
Is there a minimum age for social media?
Partly. Since 25 December 2024, social media accounts for children under 16 must be registered by a parent or guardian, who must supervise them. Draft amendments would add further limits.
Legal detail and sources
- Partly:
What are the rules on phones at school?
No national ban. A 2020 education ministry circular lets students use phones in class only for learning, with the teacher's permission. Ho Chi Minh City restricts phones during breaks from January 2026.
- Partly:
When is online abuse a crime?
Partly. Serious insults and defamation, including online, are crimes under the Penal Code; lesser cases bring administrative fines.
Legal detail and sources
Penal Code 2015, Articles 155 (insult) and 156 (slander).
- Yes:
What guidance do staff and counselors get?
Yes. A September 2025 circular requires schools to plan and provide school counseling and social work for students.
Legal detail and sources
Circular 18/2025/TT-BGDDT.
Compare at a glance
Select a name to open its full profile.
| Country | School rules | Online bullying | Takedown help | Age limits | Phones | Criminal law | Staff guidance | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partly | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.5 of 7 |
| Indonesia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Partly | Yes | 5.5 of 7 |
| Japan | Yes | Yes | Partly | No | Partly | Partly | Yes | 4.5 of 7 |
| Malaysia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7 of 7 |
| Philippines | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Partly | Yes | 4.5 of 7 |
| Singapore | Partly | Partly | Yes | Partly | Yes | Yes | Partly | 5 of 7 |
| South Korea | Yes | Yes | Partly | Partly | Yes | Partly | Yes | 5.5 of 7 |
| Taiwan | Yes | Yes | Partly | No | Yes | Partly | Yes | 5 of 7 |
| Vietnam | Yes | Partly | Yes | Partly | Partly | Partly | Yes | 5 of 7 |
Clear rule in place Partly, or schools decide Set by national law
Plain-English summaries for educators, checked against official sources on 11 November 2026. This is not legal advice. Open “Legal detail and sources” for the law itself.
Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with credit, under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC 4.0 licence.