Suva lawyer Jon Apted has urged the Online Safety Commission to fulfill its role as an independent regulator of online safety in Fiji.
Apted’s call to action follows the reported suicide of a well-known local TikTok and social media influencer today.
He advised Fijians to be careful about what they post and share on social media, urging mindfulness to avoid harm.
“Social media in Fiji has been out of control for a while now, with rampant personal bullying and malicious exposés being commonplace on many accounts and large Fijian group sites,” Apted noted.
The Constitutional lawyer emphasized that it is illegal to post or send electronic messages that could cause serious emotional distress to a reasonable person or to share intimate video recordings.
He highlighted that this offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000.
“Unfortunately, the Online Safety Act has been neglected, and the Online Safety Commission has vanished from the public eye. Tragically, a prominent social media personality, who was the victim of intense bullying in recent days, has reportedly taken her own life,” Apted said.
The Online Safety Act 2018 was enacted by Parliament to establish the Online Safety Commission, which aims to promote online safety, deter harmful electronic communication, and address related issues.
The OSC began its operations in 2019, providing support to individuals affected by harmful online content and offering resources to mitigate harm while educating people on how to remain proactive and safe online.