Navigating Online threats
Seeking Online Justice
This article contains best practices relating to tackling online harassment on leading social media platforms, and contains references to recent online crime cases. The intent is to sensitise caregivers of younger social media users to the very real risks of online interactions while giving access to solutions to those who are enduring virtual abuse and seeking a way out.
By Pranaadhika Devburman
Trigger Warning for content related to self-harming behaviour, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, and suicide.
Online harassment is as rampant as offline harassment, evidenced by the alarming rise in reports of cyber crime across India. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau 2022 shows a 36% increase in cyber crime and cyber stalking cases, with women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community being frequent targets.
A majority of cases go unreported, often leading to devastating consequences for those involved. With over 700 million Indians using the internet as per the Nielsen's India Internet Report 2023, it should be a cause for concern that not even 1000 agencies exist pan-India that are equipped to even speak with survivors of online abuse, leave alone possess the ability to guide them on the complaint registration-judicial process.
New York based YouTube fitness influencer Chloe Ting has amassed a staggering following of close to 25 million subscribers, thanks to her free workout videos which invoke as much appreciation as they do trolling. Ting recently took a stand for herself, filing a defamation lawsuit against a Singaporean bodybuilder who harassed her through 62 individual pieces of content, questioning her credibility and threatening her livelihood. While it might seem that the average internet user is powerless in comparison to celebrities with access to legal assistance and support, there are resources which we must be aware of in case they are required.
Online crime reporting
Those facing online harassment in India are encouraged to visit the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, www.cybercrime.gov.in
If you are targeted online, you can also reach them on their Helpline Number(1930), Women’s Helpline(181), and the National Police Helpline(112).
There is a pressing need for awareness around newer forms of harassment which impact people of all ages. Empathy and a no-judgement approach is critical when addressing harassment experienced by users of popular dating apps, loan apps, and chat apps.
Online users must always be wary and grounded when presented with unbelievably lucrative opportunities, loans, deals, or partnerships. Many apps are designed to deceive and steal private data. On gaining access to a personal contact list, they may harass those on the list by calling, texting or doxxing (publicising private information).
Loan app related harassment is covered in the BBC documentary “The Trap: Inside the blackmail scam destroying lives across India,” which exposes a series of instant loan app scams. This World Service investigation reveals that in the last three years, more than 60 people in India have taken their own lives after being threatened or humiliated by loan apps, proving just how far situations like this can escalate.
Widespread risks
It is important to take the battle for gender equity and equality beyond the binary and a women-only focus.
In 2023, a 28-year old man visited the apparent residence of a dating app match, only to be overpowered and held for ransom. He would lose his life to the three accomplices in this crime.
Men are also in need of online safety awareness. Who will gently but firmly inform male social media users that they are also vulnerable to harassment and life-threatening crimes? We must all be mindful of green flags, red flags, and boundaries in any online situation, and use our best judgement to ensure our own safety.
A survivor of a similar crime in Kolkata once informed me that he had been “guilty” of wanting to meet people online, and would do so without conducting background checks in advance. A few photos on their social media accounts would suffice for him to begin a conversation with a match, despite the knowledge of numerous fake social media accounts set up to lure and blackmail individuals. Many persons seeking connection share personal or intimate photos to strangers on the internet, regardless of the dangers of doing so.
Within the LGBTQIA+ community, the stories of harassment on dating apps remain largely unreported owing to many victims being closeted, fearing societal repercussions and re-victimization at the hands of authorities.
Anyone facing online harassment pan-India is encouraged to visit this online repository of queer-informed helplines: www.lgbtqindiaresource.in/helpline/
Instagram comment sections are another online space where unbearable hate and othering is expressed. Pranshu, a 16-year old student and aspiring makeup artist, recently lost their life to online bullying and harassment. The news of this resulted in further backlash and homophobic rhetoric being shared on the platform, a deeply unfortunate example of the unchecked nature of our most frequented social spaces.
Face the situation
What can members of any marginalised community do when faced with harassment online?
- Document, screenshot, report
- Seek support from a peer group or organisation
- Do not blame yourself or your identity. Abuse is the abuser’s fault, not yours. Your clothing, preferences, food choices, and political affiliations are strictly your business, not theirs.
Seeking help is particularly important for survivors, who require more resources and support groups to be organised for this purpose. As mentioned, online harassment can often have devastating consequences.
For the most vulnerable victims, however, the response to harassment may come in the form of silence.
Minors are easily targeted online, and unwittingly engage with online predators, only to be victimised, bullied, blackmailed, or even roped into larger criminal networks. Something as simple as an online gaming platform can give a faceless, nameless criminal direct access to a child. On the internet, one can take on multiple identities and present as an entirely different personality type or age group.
Stay vigilant
The fear of “log kya kahengey”/ “what will society say” frequently results in not only minor victims and their families, failing to report instances of online harassment. Often, children speak with someone who they think is a celebrity. They are then tricked into sharing photos, money, phone numbers, and addresses with a complete stranger.
The shroud of secrecy and self-blame around online harassment must end. Much like its offline counterpart, abuse is never the victim’s fault. Anyone can be a victim of harassment, which is why we must recall the three R’s: Record Evidence, Report the Crime, and Reach Out for Help.