Social Media troubles in China

China gets strict about Internet!

Recently, many of China's "high-profile social-media public figures" have been under questioning for their actions on the Internet. China has made new criminal laws that include online activities due to the high rates of crimes that occur through online interactions. They believe that these laws will keep people more clean and conscious of what they're posting online as well as "purify the online environment". 

Because of these new laws an extreme amount of warnings and detentions have already been placed but the focus has been on the high-figures in society. For example, Charles Xue (who works for Sina Corps-Weibo Microblogging service) got charged for soliciting a prostitute which they found out he did through online interactions. This was set as an example to the public that they will get arrested by doing something illegal online. 

Although China has tried to purify the internet previous to now, this method of doing so seems to be much more functional and widespread. By the high figures in society getting arrested or questioned publicly, it makes everyone more aware that these laws are in fact serious and being put into place. 

Many of the public figures in China are beginning to get afraid that they will be the next figure in trouble as they have all had histories online in the past. Some are even debating leaving the country so they don't get arrested. 

This outbreak has made internet users become completely different on the sites, especially on Sina. People began to delete their accounts and no longer will share their opinion online so they don't get in trouble. China has really cracked down and the people are now looking at the internet quite a bit differently. 

My opinion on China's new regulations on the internet leans a little towards both ends. I agree that people should get detained for behaviors that are harmful to other people, such as prostitution/rape..ect. but just expressing opinions or having internet fights or debates should not be a reason why people are questioned or arrested. These small things have been happening for years upon years and usually come to no harm. If for some reason it does come to be dangerous or harmful then by all means that person should be arrested. I believe that people should get privacy about some things they do on the internet, but if people are willing to share certain information that get them in trouble then I agree that it is their fault for putting it into the public in the first place. 

For more information on China cracking down on Social Media and Internet regulations check out this link. 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324807704579082940411106988.html