THERE are no plans to enact laws to deal specifically with cyber-bullying, as offenders can already be punished under existing laws.

But Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said his ministry would 'monitor the situation'.

A key lever to addressing the problem, he added, is through education and raising awareness.

In a written reply to Ms Ellen Lee (Sembawang GRC) on the subject, Mr Wong said that although there are no specific laws against cyber-bullying, there is 'no immunity for acts conducted via the Internet'.

For instance, potential offences in cyber-bullying cases would include criminal intimidation or insulting the modesty of a woman, he said in his reply to Parliament, released yesterday.

'Cyber-bullies are liable to be prosecuted if such offences are committed.'

In response to Ms Lee's request for the number of cases reported, Mr Wong said the police do not track such cases.

Cyber-bullies refer to those who threaten, embarrass or isolate a person through new media tools like e-mail.

Often, victims are youth.

Given their age and thus inability to afford civil action against perpetrators, Ms Lee wanted to know if there would be specific laws to 'exempt such prosecutions from the usual...trial process so as to curtail the distress and psychological harm to the victims'.

Mr Wong replied that the offender may be tried by the Juvenile Court if he or she is below 16 years old.

'There are sufficient safeguards in our laws,' he said. For instance, the Children and Young Persons Act protects identities of the youth offender and victim. The Evidence Act also allows witnesses under age 16 to give evidence through live video or live television links.

Meanwhile, a 'key lever' to addressing the problem is education and awareness, said Mr Wong.

Under the Cyberwellness Framework, students learn about cyber-bullying, its negative effects and how to deal with it. There is also the National Committee on Youth Guidance and Rehabilitation, which has - among other efforts - helped produce a guidebook on online risks.

Looking ahead, there are likely to be more measures.

It was announced earlier this month that a national taskforce will be set up to look at how children can be protected against the dangers of the Internet, following a recommendation by the Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society.

It is likely to look at strategies such as public education and technical solutions, like content filters.

Despite this, there will still be cases that can go unnoticed by schools, said Mr Wong. He called on parents to be 'vigilant about their children's activities'.

LI XUEYING