School bullying is a growing problem in China. The education authorities have launched a campaign to curb it. A juvenile crime psychological expert told CCTV-NEWS what's driving up the frequency and the possible means to tackle the problem.
"Hurry up!""Do it again!" April 2016. This online video clip shows several teenagers hitting two students in turn, and forcing them to kiss.
It's just because of some scratches on their motorcycles.
"They came to press us. Punched us in the face. Kicked us very far," said Bullying victim, Mianchi, Henan province.
The student says they were insulted for over an hour.
School bullying is happening more frequently in China. Many students even record and post the incidents online.
Professor Zhang Jing has been studying juvenile crime for three decades.
"From the mental aspect, school bullying happens for two reasons. The need to release stress, and the study of violence, from communities, families, movies and computer games. In China particularly, our primary schools lack the education of love, telling students to love animals and other people," said professor Zhang Jing, School of Law, Beijing University of Technology.
China's State Council has issued a circular to curb bullying in primary, middle and secondary vocational schools.
The campaign will focus on mental health and legal education for students.
But China's criminal law doesn't punish minors under 14. And those between 14 and 18 only get light or mitigated punishments.
Professor Zhang says other options are possible.
"I think it's not necessary to put them in jail. Besides the police deterrence, we can punish them with forced study, restrictions, and even forced work in the community," Professor Zhang Jing said.
Zhang says the children are innocent -- and lays the blame on their education.
This school anti-bullying campaign lasts until end of this year. But some experts believe, it's a tough, long-term task. The government, schools, society and families should work together to help the younger generation develop a sound character.
Some serious school bullying cases in China
School bullying is a major problem worldwide, and China is no exception. This problem has become rampant in recent years in primary and middle schools nationwide.
It has been estimated that there have been 43 cases of severe school bullying in this country between 2014 and 2015 covered by media reports. One particular school bullying incident took place in Guangzhou this January.
A boy in a junior high school was hit by at least three boys surrounding him. This video shows how the boy was too scared to fight back. Last January, a schoolgirl was slapped over 50 times in 2 minutes by two other girls.
These two girls later got serious demerit records in school. On 25th May, 2014, a video showing a teenage boy being kicked and hit for about 9 minutes by three older boys in Nai Xi village, Beijing went viral. The bullies even used a brick to hit the boy.
