The recent tragic suicide of two university students in Anhui province has triggered debates over whether those who incite others to commit suicide should be punished by law. Experts say that it depends on the specific cirumstances of each case. 

Several days ago, two college students, who met on Tencent's QQ instant messaging platform, committed suicide together in a hotel in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. This is the latest case of suicide by young people who met via suicide-themed social media groups.

Ruan Qilin, a professor at China University of Political Science and Law, holds that encouraging people to commit suicide should not carry criminal charges, as it is not clearly stipulated as a crime by the law. However, he added, such enablers should be punished for impeding social security and management.

Chen Xiaobiao, an associate law professor at Southwest University of Political Science and Law (LSUPC), expressed the view that encouraging people without suicidal intent to commit suicide, especially minors and the mentally disabled, should earn guilty parties three to 10 years in prison .

Instructing people on suicide methods is not clearly defined by the Criminal Law. Therefore, it should not be classified as murder, according to Ruan. However. Chen disagrees, arguing that inciting suicide and teaching specific methods should be viewed as a form of murder.

Zhu Ying, vice president of the School of Human Rights at LSUPC, said that Tencent has informed users before they register of their rights and responsibilities. Zhu believes it should be written into the agreement that users will not utilize the platform to conduct illegal activity.