The Supreme People's Court (SPC) held a public lecture on the protection of minors and family education on May 28, with the event livestreamed across major media platforms.
The lecture was jointly organized by the SPC's First Civil Division and Information Department, and hosted by the Shanghai High People’s Court and Shanghai No 2 Intermediate People's Court.
According to Cai Jinfang, deputy chief judge of the SPC's First Civil Division, a number of challenges in family education have been revealed in judicial practice. In some families, insufficient attention is paid to cultivating children’s awareness of rules and boundaries, leaving children unaware when they cross the line. In others, excessive indulgence of minor misconduct may allow problems to escalate over time. Some parents also overlook the developmental needs of children, leaving them without proper guidance when facing confusion or difficulties.
To address these issues and promote coordinated efforts among families, schools, society, cyberspace and government institutions in protecting minors, the public lecture was organized as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen judicial protection and facilitate the integrated functioning of the six forms of protection for minors, Cai said.
Drawing on real-life cases, judges from the Shanghai High People’s Court, Shanghai No 2 Intermediate People's Court and the Jing'an Primary People's Court examined three common challenges in family education, namely unclear awareness of rules and boundaries, inadequate safety education, and insufficient understanding of children's developmental needs.
The judges provided in-depth analyses of the cases, explained relevant provisions of the Criminal Law, the Civil Code, the Family Education Promotion Law and Road Traffic Safety Law, and offered targeted recommendations.
In addition to legal education and case studies, the event featured scenario-based performances and discussions designed to make legal knowledge more engaging and informative. The lecture provided parents with practical and actionable parenting guidance grounded in both legal principles and educational practice.
Deputies to people's congresses, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, as well as officials from the SPC, and courts and government agencies in Shanghai attended the event, alongside representatives from schools and media outlets.
The lecture was broadcast simultaneously on more than 30 media platforms, including social media accounts operated by the SPC, People's Court Daily and other major national and local media outlets.
