Education Minister Warns of Cyberbullying Groups Targeting Youth
Education Minister Akkaranan Kankittinanont has issued a nationwide alert about cyberbullying on social media platforms targeting children and teenagers. He directed schools to establish safe reporting mechanisms and warned that administrators and participants of bullying groups will face legal consequences.
Education Minister Akkaranan Kankittinanont warned parents and schools across the country to watch for pages and chat groups exhibiting bullying behavior toward children and youth, including teasing, mocking, threats, and the sharing of others' photos and personal information to cause embarrassment. He asked parents to closely supervise and talk with their children and not participate in such pages or groups. Akkaranan stated that bullying is not a joke but can cause severe psychological wounds and may push children into self-harm risk. He urged children and youth not to post, share, or repeat content about victims. He also called on all educational institutions nationwide, not only in Kanchanaburi, to jointly monitor and inspect the problem. Teachers and administrators should open safe reporting channels, provide immediate assistance when issues arise, protect children's identities, and avoid resharing related content. Reports can be made to the Ministry of Education's Center for the Protection of Rights, Liberties, and Safety. If bullying is witnessed, evidence should be collected and reported to parents, teachers, or relevant agencies quickly. For children who become victims, parents should listen without blame and reassure them that they are not alone. The minister reiterated that group creators, admins, ringleaders, and participants will be investigated, and if wrongdoing is found, legal proceedings will be pursued seriously without leniency.
