What are the 5 most common forms of digital violence (and how to protect yourself)

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for digital technologies, around six billion people use the Internet worldwide, and 280 million more men than women were connected this year.

Women, girls and gender non-conforming people are more likely to be victims of violence and suffer more serious and long-lasting consequences because of their gender, according to the UN.

Studies around the world show that up to 58% of women and girls have been victims of online violence, according to the UN Women’s organisation.

Five common forms of digital violence

1. trolley

He trolley involves posting intentionally provocative or offensive messages online to upset someone, provoke a reaction, or cause problems.

According to the Center for Combating Digital Hate (CCDH), a British-American NGO that seeks to stop the spread of hate speech and misinformation on the internet, there are two main types of trolls:

There are many reasons why people may troll online, and the difference varies from troll to troll.

Trolls often enjoy annoying those they attack, so if their victim responds, this only encourages them to continue.

Trolling can cause high levels of anxiety and low self-esteem in the victim.

2. Doxing

He doxing refers to the disclosure of private information about people on the Internet, usually with malicious intentions.

It can have real-life consequences, such as harassment, threats, and even physical violence.

In 2021, JK Rowling, author of Harry Potter, claimed to have been a victim of doxing after a photograph taken outside her home, revealing her address, circulated online.

However, the police stated that no action would be taken against the activists who pointed it out.

Since April 2022, Facebook and Instagram (owned by Meta) prohibit sharing a person’s home address, even if it appears in public records or news feeds.

Users can still share their own address, but others cannot share it.

This change was made following recommendations from the Meta Oversight Board to strengthen privacy protections and reduce the risks of doxing.

3. Deepfakes

Los deepfakes They are videos, images or audio clips created with artificial intelligence to make them look real.

They can be used for fun or even scientific research, but are sometimes used to impersonate politicians or world leaders in order to deliberately mislead the public.

They are also increasingly used to create pornographic videos or images of celebrities or ordinary people.

A recent police survey in the United Kingdom revealed that “one in four people think there is nothing wrong with creating and sharing sexual deepfakes, or feel neutral about it, even when the person depicted has not given consent.”

Sharing or threatening to share intimate images without consent is a criminal offense in the UK, which is now included in the Online Safety Act 2023. This covers fabricated or manipulated images, including deepfakes.

Many other countries, such as Australia and Ireland, have similar laws to protect people from intimate image abuse.

4. Grooming

Children and young people can be targets of manipulation and grooming online.

Abusers can use online platforms to establish a relationship of trust with the minor and abuse them.

This abuse may occur online or the abuser may arrange to meet the child in person with the intention of abusing them.

Abuse can also occur when others record, upload or share harmful content online.

Whether abuse occurs online or offline, it can have a lasting impact on a child’s overall well-being, leading to anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, or even suicide.

5. Cyberacous

Cyberbullying, or online harassment, occurs when someone faces harassing behavior on social media, messaging apps, online games, and other places on the internet.

Harassment can occur both online and offline at the same time, and sometimes the person doing it is known to the victim.

It is also common to be harassed by people you don’t know in person, but know from online communities, games, or social media. The abuser may also be anonymous.

How to stay safe

Here are some tips to reduce the risk of being a victim of online abuse, according to the UN.

To effectively prevent online violence facilitated by technology, it is essential to understand its specificity and its impact on women and girls, says the UN.

A 2021 UN Women study in the Arab States region found that 60% of female internet users had been exposed to online violence that year.

A European study revealed that women are 27 times more likely to experience online harassment than men, and another analysis revealed that 92% of women reported that online violence negatively affects their well-being.

Women in public life, such as politicians, journalists and human rights defenders, are especially targeted, and the risks are even greater for black women, LGBTQI+ people and women with disabilities, according to the UN.

The organization launched a campaign until December 10 to eradicate digital violence against all women and girls.

The campaign calls on governments to protect personal information and criminalize digital violence, and calls on big tech companies to remove harmful content.