Education and awareness about the law, particularly among young people in China, are crucial for empowering them with the knowledge and tools to protect their rights.
Shen Hang, 27, works as an HR professional in Beijing. One of her favorite TV shows is Who's the Murderer, produced by Mango TV, an internet video platform affiliated with Hunan Satellite TV.
First aired in 2016, the show aims to raise public awareness of the law by solving murder mysteries. Starting from season seven, the program introduced a special segment at the end, one that featured judges from the Supreme People's Court discussing the legal aspects of each case, analyzing their causes and lessons.
If we are unfamiliar with the law, we may feel wronged or hurt when encountering illegal actions without even realizing that these behaviors are unlawful.
Shen Hang, an HR professional
Shen recalled one of the most memorable episodes for her, the seventh story of the season titled The Sin Under the Rose, in which the victim committed suicide after facing injustices such as privacy violations, defamation, illegal detention, and workplace bullying.
"If we are unfamiliar with the law, we may feel wronged or hurt when encountering illegal actions without even realizing that these behaviors are unlawful," said Shen. "With knowledge provided by the show, we can use legal tools to protect ourselves."
Law is deeply intertwined in our daily lives, yet many individuals, especially young people, seem to not be familiar enough with it.
According to a report released on May 31 by the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the number of individuals arrested for crimes against minors increased by 35.3 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year, and the number of juvenile offenders arrested increased by 73.7 percent.
The report suggests that legal knowledge should be promoted more frequently and with greater emphasis through school activities and TV programs.
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According to Huang Juan, a 32-year-old lawyer in Beijing, a lawyer's responsibilities can be divided into three parts: before, during, and after legal disputes. The "before "phase involves providing clients with advice and drafting contracts to prevent disputes; the "during" phase includes mediating disputes; and the "after" phase pertains to the litigation process. Educating the public, especially young people, falls under the "before" phase.
I would ask my family to review my drafts. If they struggle to understand the legal topics I’m explaining, I will revise them until they are easily comprehensible.
Huang Juan, a lawyer
"The sooner young people learn about specific legal provisions, such as the three-year statute of limitations for civil law litigation, the better equipped they will be to protect their rights in the future," she said.
For young people, how legal knowledge is delivered is also important because they must first understand it, and then learn and remember it.
Meng Zixuan, 15, is a student at Beijing No 4 High School International Campus. Her favorite TV program is Legal Report, a legal column that has been airing on CCTV since 1999. She finds the program's captivating narrative full of suspense and twists. Through it, she has gained insights into criminal investigations, the legal process, and laws and regulations in daily life.
"I've learned that if there are no specified signs indicating 'compensation is required for damage', the seller cannot force you to compensate," she said.
Shen enjoys watching videos and reading posts by legal professionals like Luo Xiang, a professor at the School of Criminal Justice of China University of Political Science and Law, and Qin Ming, an author and medical examiner. Shen believes that these resources not only provide valuable learning opportunities but also enhance her critical thinking and analytical skills.
"They're both seasoned experts in their fields, so their opinions are professional and convincing. Gradually, I've been able to establish my own judgments while keeping up with social news and discussions," she said. "They're also humorous and good at telling stories, making complex and dry legal concepts engaging and easy to understand."
Huang also posts videos on her personal accounts on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), promoting legal knowledge related to the public's lives, such as marriage, property, and inheritance. She emphasizes how easily her audience can grasp the concepts she discusses.
"I would ask my family to review my drafts. If they struggle to understand the legal topics I'm explaining, I will revise them until they are easily comprehensible," she said.
However, Yang Dan, a 34-year-old lawyer in Beijing, cautioned that online legal information is not always reliable.
"As a lawyer, it's crucial to be fair and just, ensuring the best possible outcome for the client you represent. Unfortunately, some lawyers make extreme statements or provide misleading advice for online exposure, which could have irreversible consequences for individuals who trust their guidance," said Yang.
Society must offer proper guidance and a positive environment. I also believe it’s a citizen’s duty to take the initiative to familiarize themselves with the law.
Liao Liangyu, a high school student
While young people are learning many aspects of the law online, much of their foundational legal knowledge still comes from home and school.
Liao Liangyu, a 16-year-old high school student from Chongqing in Southwest China, shared that his grandfather's background working in the court system nurtured his legal awareness from a young age.
"I was taught basic concepts like theft being a crime when I was in kindergarten," Liao said. "During my second year of middle school, I studied legal provisions in the political science class for almost an entire semester."
Yang said that the integration of legal knowledge into textbooks and student life has greatly improved over the past decade. However, there's still a long way to go in terms of depth and nationwide coverage. For example, Huang pointed out that there's a common misconception that seeking a lawyer's assistance is equivalent to filing a lawsuit.
Meng, as a high school student, recognizes that the importance of legal knowledge varies in different life stages. "Currently, understanding laws that protect minors is crucial, while labor laws may be more prioritized in my life after I enter the workforce."
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Liao believes that both society and individual citizens share the responsibility of acquiring legal knowledge and fostering legal awareness.
"China operates based on the rule of law. Society must offer proper guidance and a positive environment. I also believe it's a citizen's duty to take the initiative to familiarize themselves with the law. The foundation of law enforcement lies with the people, regardless of their age or background," said Liao.
Tips for legal assistance
If you're unsure about what to do or whether to hire a lawyer, Yang recommends calling 12368, the number for the National Court System's Public Welfare Service.
If you decide to seek legal help, Huang advises verifying the lawyer's credentials to avoid deception and potential harm. On Alipay, under the citizen center's judicial services, there is a link for legal service personnel inquiry where you can look up a lawyer's name.
"There are many so-called legal service companies and legal consulting firms, and their lawyers are not licensed to practice law," Huang said.
