Suva lawyer Jon Apted has urged the Online Safety Commission to fulfill its responsibility as an independent regulator of online safety in Fiji. Apted made this statement following the alleged suicide of a well-known local TikToker and social media influencer.
He emphasized the importance for Fijians to be careful about what they post and share on social media regarding others. “Fiji social media has been out of control for a while now, with flagrant personal bullying and nasty exposés being the daily norm on many accounts and large group sites,” he said.
Apted, a constitutional lawyer, noted that it is illegal to post anything on social media or send any electronic message that might cause serious emotional distress to a reasonable person, or to post or share an intimate video recording. Violations are punishable by up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000.
He pointed out that the Online Safety Act has been largely neglected, and the Online Safety Commission has faded from the public eye. “Sadly, a prominent social media personality, who was herself the subject of intense bullying over the last few days, has reportedly ended her own life,” Apted remarked.
The Online Safety Act 2018 was established by Parliament to create the Online Safety Commission, which aims to promote online safety and deter harmful electronic communication. The OSC began its operations in 2019, providing support to individuals dealing with harmful online content by offering services and resources to minimize harm and educate on proactive and safe online practices.