Multiple countries have introduced policies to increase their ability to govern and purify the cyberspace by improving legislation, enhancing supervision and organizing related popularization activities. They are striving to create a safe and orderly cyberspace, which is a common responsibility shared by the international community.

Experts have called on all countries to strengthen their cooperation to build a healthier and more vigorous cyberspace that allows the fruits of information civilization to benefit people around the world.

France: strengthening information scrutiny and keeping complaint channels open

According to a study conducted by a French association related to digitalization and children, forty percent of French students said that they have experienced online violence; twenty percent of them have received harassment messages; fourteen percent have had humiliating calls; twelve percent have had their social accounts hacked; and eleven percent have been isolated on social media.

In 2022, the French “3018” team received a total of 25,000 complaint phone calls on this issue.

Jointly developed by the Ministry of National Education of France and the association, the “3018” is a system providing channels for online violence complaints and psychological counseling, which consists of hotlines, websites and applications. Online users can send evidence of online violence to the system and seek help. They can also ask legal groups and psychological assistance teams for a consultation.

In recent years, France has strengthened its governance on online violence and hate speech, and has carried out multiple measures to purify the cyberspace. The country has also formulated a series of laws targeted at online violence. For example, its constitution has made specific stipulations on online abuse, slander and discrimination.

In November 2022, the EU’s Digital Services Act came into effect, requiring large internet enterprises to take more measures to delete such illegal and vicious content as hate speech, fake information and counterfeit trade information. The French government has included part of the terms into its relevant policies.

The French government has also hired internet inspectors responsible for tracking criminal acts on internet and social platforms, and who will take legal means if necessary to find out the true identities of harassers and launch criminal proceedings against them.

In July 2020, the French government specifically set up an online hate speech observation station to detect and investigate online hate speech, especially content that incites racism and terrorism, and to intervene when necessary to crack down on online hatred.

The French government also plans to make a series of technological changes, such as asking websites to add a report button to their webpages that can be easily found and used by viewers to report hate speech swiftly. They require internet platforms to make public their ways and effects of combating online violence in a timely manner, and strengthen cooperation with judicial departments to jointly build a safer cyberspace.

French social institutions and schools also attach great importance to cyberspace governance. On November 3 every year, various popularization activities are carried out to enhance public awareness about cyberspace governance. Many schools are also taking such actions as installing an auto monitor in the school network to make sure that students don’t have access to undesirable websites.

Peru: setting up special organizations to ensure digital security

Over 7,000 people fell victim to internet fraud last year, during a concert at Peru’s national stadium.

Complaints about online crimes in Peru have increased in recent years, with over 18,000 filed in 2021. In response to the various types of online crimes, the Peruvian government has strengthened its governance by enhancing laws and regulations and setting up special organizations. In June 2021, Peru established a special prosecutor’s office responsible for tracking digital evidence and finding online suspects, in order to support prosecutors’ work with technological resources. In October of the same year, Peru’s first research institute specializing in the study of online crimes was established.

Peru has also set up an online patrol department to scrutinize content on social media and websites to better prevent online crimes. The Peruvian government has developed a manual for the investigation of computer crime to provide guidance on combating cybercrime.

Peru's efforts to combat cybercrime have gained support from some international organizations and countries. Several UN agencies have donated computers and other equipment to Peru and have dispatched specialized engineers to provide training in internet technology.

Italy: strengthening legislation to deter cyber bullying

A documentary was released in Italy to warn people of online violence in February 2023, which was aired on the national TV station as well as in middle and primary schools in the country. The head of Italian National Police said that everyone should be cautious about using the internet and report any illegal activity, adding that the police would also crack down heavily on online violence.

With the increasing popularity of the internet, cyber bullying is spreading in Italy. According to a joint survey conducted in February this year by the Italian Ministry of Health and several research institutions, 31 percent of interviewed teenagers had experienced various forms of online violence, showing a significant increase from 23 percent in 2020. Around one-third of the victims have since developed psychological issues.

The Italian Parliament passed a law in 2017 that outlines specific regulations on the penalty of online violence targeted at minors.

Italy has also designated February 7 as a national day against cyber bullying and violence, aiming to raise awareness among minors about the dangers of online violence and to provide psychological support. The police is also cooperating with social organizations to combat online hate and bullying to optimize the monitoring of social media platforms.

Since October of last year, the Italian National Police and the Ministry of Education, University and Research have collaborated to conduct activities in over 70 cities nationwide to educate students about the dangers of online violence and to work together with teachers to promote a culture of online safety, in a bid to detect and address cyber bullying at an early stage.