Legal problems of Cyberbullying in University Students

Abstract

           The objectives of this research were 1) to study on the legal problems of cyberbullying in university students and 2) to suggest the solutions to amend the law on cyberbullying. The research employed the qualitative approach by using document analysis and in-depth interview.

            The findings found that 1. the legal problems relating to cyberbullying in university students were that 1) since Thailand lacks specific laws on cyberbullying protection, therefore, when there is any cyberbullying case, the details and the fact of cyberbullying behavior had to be considered and it needed to be compatible with the related laws, 2) the punishments under related laws were not severe enough and they did not cover all commitments. Thailand has only section 326, section 328, section 393, and section 397 of the criminal law and section 420 and section 423 of the civil and commercial law which could be applied to punish the culprit. However, the punishment was not severe enough to prevent or suppress the culprit. Apart from that, there was also Computer - Related Crime Act B.E.2560. and 3) the problems on the interpretation of law and the accurate knowledge anbullying, 2) the designation of all procedures and the institutes which were directly related to cyberbullying, 3) the measures on concrete treatment of the victims, and the witnesses in the incident to solve the problems and to prevent the repetitive incidents on cyberbullying of university students.