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Abusers on Social Media get the perfect breeding ground to lauch their attack on women behind the veil of anonymity. #WomenOnTheMove
Abusers on Social Media get the perfect breeding ground to launch their attack on women behind the veil of anonymity. #WomenOnTheMove
World Wide Web. A wonderful invention that reduced the distance and brought the world closer. However, this wonderful invention is quickly becoming the breeding ground for abusers, stalkers and online trolls who on the pretext of anonymity and lack of accountability, launch some of the most vile and vicious attacks on people. And more often than not the target of these attacks are women.
Gurmehar Kaur, a Delhi University student faced the brunt of Social Media trolling for her comments on the Ramjas College protests. Trisha, a famous South Indian actor and an ambassador for PETA faced the ire of the online world for her views and comments to ban Jallikattu. And the most recent trolling of Sakshi Dhoni who questioned the government for making her husband’s personal details public.
What’s common in all these three cases is the language that was used by the keyboard warriors — issuing rape threats to shut down women who dared to cross the ‘lakshman rekha‘ and speak their minds.
Last week, we had our weekly #WomenOnTheMove chat over at Twitter, where we discussed why people resort to cyber bullying and say things that they won’t say in person, the psychological impact of online trolling and ways to deal with them. This is what they said.
Social media is a place where people choose to say things that they won’t say in person. Why?
2. Anonymity gives them courage. In person there’s always retaliation. Online they can get away with it and they know it. #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/dtMAC81lQB — Sreesha (@petrichorclouds) March 29, 2017Never miss real stories from India's women.Register Now
2. Anonymity gives them courage. In person there’s always retaliation. Online they can get away with it and they know it. #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/dtMAC81lQB
— Sreesha (@petrichorclouds) March 29, 2017
@womensweb #womenonthemove Probably in person they want to bully women of caliber. Virtual world feels safer to them, that’s all. — Neha Gupta (@ne_hah) March 29, 2017
@womensweb #womenonthemove Probably in person they want to bully women of caliber. Virtual world feels safer to them, that’s all.
— Neha Gupta (@ne_hah) March 29, 2017
@womensweb hidden identity, and sometimes I feel it is just pure frustration #womenonthemove — Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) March 29, 2017
@womensweb hidden identity, and sometimes I feel it is just pure frustration #womenonthemove
— Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) March 29, 2017
@womensweb A2. Being nasty comes naturally to trolls/bullies. Social media empowers them further with no risk of backlash. #WomenOnTheMove — Shailaja V (@shyvish) March 29, 2017
@womensweb A2. Being nasty comes naturally to trolls/bullies. Social media empowers them further with no risk of backlash. #WomenOnTheMove
— Shailaja V (@shyvish) March 29, 2017
@womensweb 2. Some do it because they can hide their identity and get away with it. #womenonthemove — Sudesna (Sue) Ghosh (@sudesna_ghosh) March 29, 2017
@womensweb 2. Some do it because they can hide their identity and get away with it. #womenonthemove
— Sudesna (Sue) Ghosh (@sudesna_ghosh) March 29, 2017
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove 2. Perhaps they can’t see women do well but don’t have the guts to say so. — Neha Chamaria (@NehamsChamaria) March 29, 2017
@womensweb #WomenOnTheMove 2. Perhaps they can’t see women do well but don’t have the guts to say so.
— Neha Chamaria (@NehamsChamaria) March 29, 2017
When it comes to women, because, how dare women have opinions & not stay in their aukaad? The backlash agst women is severe #womenonthemove https://t.co/LneR03cMyx — Aparna V Singh (@editorsahiba) March 29, 2017
When it comes to women, because, how dare women have opinions & not stay in their aukaad? The backlash agst women is severe #womenonthemove https://t.co/LneR03cMyx
— Aparna V Singh (@editorsahiba) March 29, 2017
@ne_hah @womensweb yep. ofc, best way to try and hurt a woman is issue rape threat or accuse her of sleeping with random ppl #womenonthemove — Aparna V Singh (@editorsahiba) March 29, 2017
@ne_hah @womensweb yep. ofc, best way to try and hurt a woman is issue rape threat or accuse her of sleeping with random ppl #womenonthemove
A2 it’s always easy hiding behind a facade. Vent out frustrations, there are no limits, some thrive on it #WomenOntheMove https://t.co/rRBfiVrVV1 — Akshata (@Awestruck_Aks) March 29, 2017
A2 it’s always easy hiding behind a facade. Vent out frustrations, there are no limits, some thrive on it #WomenOntheMove https://t.co/rRBfiVrVV1
— Akshata (@Awestruck_Aks) March 29, 2017
.@womensweb A2-It’s difficult to be mean in person but so much easier online. Anonymity afforded by the net makes a bully feel safe too — Cybermum India (@Cybermum_India) March 29, 2017
.@womensweb A2-It’s difficult to be mean in person but so much easier online. Anonymity afforded by the net makes a bully feel safe too
— Cybermum India (@Cybermum_India) March 29, 2017
How much ever we try not to be impacted, but words cuts through us in unimaginable ways leaving us scarred and scared
@womensweb A3. A3. As someone who has survived depression/bipolar disorder, I’d say: Plenty! It can cause stress/anxiety #WomenOnTheMove — Shailaja V (@shyvish) March 29, 2017
@womensweb A3. A3. As someone who has survived depression/bipolar disorder, I’d say: Plenty! It can cause stress/anxiety #WomenOnTheMove
3. It’s horrifying. One time I was so shaken, I turned off my phone & literally hid under my blanket for a whole afternoon. #WomenOntheMove https://t.co/LNVtgOZK7T — Sreesha (@petrichorclouds) March 29, 2017
3. It’s horrifying. One time I was so shaken, I turned off my phone & literally hid under my blanket for a whole afternoon. #WomenOntheMove https://t.co/LNVtgOZK7T
@womensweb Fear of being online. Some women deactivate their accounts it gets so bad. #womenonthemove — Sudesna (Sue) Ghosh (@sudesna_ghosh) March 29, 2017
@womensweb Fear of being online. Some women deactivate their accounts it gets so bad. #womenonthemove
@womensweb Huge. I couldn’t get one such incident out of my head for months. I didn’t socialize for some time. 🙁#WomenOnTheMove — Neha Chamaria (@NehamsChamaria) March 29, 2017
@womensweb Huge. I couldn’t get one such incident out of my head for months. I didn’t socialize for some time. 🙁#WomenOnTheMove
@womensweb Attacks, whether gender-specific or personal, can be stressful. I’ve gone off radar many times. #WomenOnTheMove — Varsh (@varshabagadia) March 29, 2017
@womensweb Attacks, whether gender-specific or personal, can be stressful. I’ve gone off radar many times. #WomenOnTheMove
— Varsh (@varshabagadia) March 29, 2017
@womensweb :yes.I stpd expressing my #Opinion on #socialmedia as al discussions wud inevitably bcme a #troll #fest /#Personal slander.(1/2) — Priya Parul Singh (@ordinarygirlan) March 29, 2017
@womensweb :yes.I stpd expressing my #Opinion on #socialmedia as al discussions wud inevitably bcme a #troll #fest /#Personal slander.(1/2)
— Priya Parul Singh (@ordinarygirlan) March 29, 2017
Avoiding, ignoring and blocking
@womensweb I limit my interactions with people online. Only trust ones with genuine known contacts. Block/ban for the rest. #WomenOnTheMove — Varsh (@varshabagadia) March 29, 2017
@womensweb I limit my interactions with people online. Only trust ones with genuine known contacts. Block/ban for the rest. #WomenOnTheMove
@womensweb on twitter I avoid commenting on really controversial topics , plus ignore the trolls, no sense in fighting them #womenonthemove — Sakshi Dutt (@sakshi2487) March 29, 2017
@womensweb on twitter I avoid commenting on really controversial topics , plus ignore the trolls, no sense in fighting them #womenonthemove
@womensweb 1. Yes, I have my privacy settings settings. Also, I avoid commenting/interacting where I feel it could get nasty#WomenOnTheMove — Neha Chamaria (@NehamsChamaria) March 29, 2017
@womensweb 1. Yes, I have my privacy settings settings. Also, I avoid commenting/interacting where I feel it could get nasty#WomenOnTheMove
Unfortunately, I do sometimes watch my words, if an issue likely to attract trolls & I don’t have bandwidth to deal wth it #womenonthemove https://t.co/sycpkPM9Wb — Aparna V Singh (@editorsahiba) March 29, 2017
Unfortunately, I do sometimes watch my words, if an issue likely to attract trolls & I don’t have bandwidth to deal wth it #womenonthemove https://t.co/sycpkPM9Wb
@womensweb 1. I block anybody who harasses me once. Also avoid controversial topics that can escalate. #womenonthemove — Sudesna (Sue) Ghosh (@sudesna_ghosh) March 29, 2017
@womensweb 1. I block anybody who harasses me once. Also avoid controversial topics that can escalate. #womenonthemove
1. Ignore trolls (total silent treatment), block persistent ones, not accept requests from strangers on fb #WomenOntheMove https://t.co/185DXqn8Na — Sreesha (@petrichorclouds) March 29, 2017
1. Ignore trolls (total silent treatment), block persistent ones, not accept requests from strangers on fb #WomenOntheMove https://t.co/185DXqn8Na
@womensweb A1. Yes i do! I dont reply to vulgar msgs by strangers & block them immediately! #womenonthemove — Falguni Vasavada-Oza (@falgunivasavada) March 29, 2017
@womensweb A1. Yes i do! I dont reply to vulgar msgs by strangers & block them immediately! #womenonthemove
— Falguni Vasavada-Oza (@falgunivasavada) March 29, 2017
A1. Simple rule: Block if it’s a spam account Unfollow if I have no interest in engaging. It’s #SocialMedia after all. #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/9Ox8p2Mldl — Shailaja V (@shyvish) March 29, 2017
A1. Simple rule: Block if it’s a spam account Unfollow if I have no interest in engaging. It’s #SocialMedia after all. #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/9Ox8p2Mldl
@womensweb No. I take a lot of safety measures while interacting on social media. Its none different from Indian streets. — Neha Gupta (@ne_hah) March 29, 2017
@womensweb No. I take a lot of safety measures while interacting on social media. Its none different from Indian streets.
.@sakshi2487 @womensweb I am always in 2 minds on this. Ignoring makes me feel more peaceful but does it embolden trolls? #womenonthemove — Aparna V Singh (@editorsahiba) March 29, 2017
.@sakshi2487 @womensweb I am always in 2 minds on this. Ignoring makes me feel more peaceful but does it embolden trolls? #womenonthemove
Some will def think they had the last word if you ignore them. But then you can’t throw stones at all the barking dogs #WomenOntheMove https://t.co/VPQUxlGFnT — Sreesha (@petrichorclouds) March 29, 2017
Some will def think they had the last word if you ignore them. But then you can’t throw stones at all the barking dogs #WomenOntheMove https://t.co/VPQUxlGFnT
@womensweb A4. Depends on the abuse. If it’s someone out to get a rise out of you, ignore. If it’s death/rape threats,report.#WomenOnTheMove — Shailaja V (@shyvish) March 29, 2017
@womensweb A4. Depends on the abuse. If it’s someone out to get a rise out of you, ignore. If it’s death/rape threats,report.#WomenOnTheMove
@womensweb A4. I block people if they argue out of the blue or have obscene content I don’t want on my TL. I’ve reported + #WomenOnTheMove — Suman Kher (@Suman_Kher) March 29, 2017
@womensweb A4. I block people if they argue out of the blue or have obscene content I don’t want on my TL. I’ve reported + #WomenOnTheMove
— Suman Kher (@Suman_Kher) March 29, 2017
@womensweb +when Someone’s gotten sleazy or disrespectful #WomenOnTheMove — Suman Kher (@Suman_Kher) March 29, 2017
@womensweb +when Someone’s gotten sleazy or disrespectful #WomenOnTheMove
A4, yes but looking at it practically how often will that result in action being taken? The % is abysmally low #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/i8j39tgkf8 — Akshata (@Awestruck_Aks) March 29, 2017
A4, yes but looking at it practically how often will that result in action being taken? The % is abysmally low #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/i8j39tgkf8
4. Most of the time I’ve noticed reporting just doesn’t work. It’s disheartening, but in such cases you can only block. #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/jE82ZtIKYV — Sreesha (@petrichorclouds) March 29, 2017
4. Most of the time I’ve noticed reporting just doesn’t work. It’s disheartening, but in such cases you can only block. #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/jE82ZtIKYV
@womensweb There’s a long way to go. Until we feel safe and free to speak out our mind, law isn’t strong enough. Isn’t it? #WomenOnTheMove — Varsh (@varshabagadia) March 29, 2017
@womensweb There’s a long way to go. Until we feel safe and free to speak out our mind, law isn’t strong enough. Isn’t it? #WomenOnTheMove
No Wayyy!! But then, at least its there.Its existence itself is a hope for better improvement!! #optimism #positivity #hope #SocialMedia https://t.co/arvZwMQ3aY — Tina Acharya (@tina_acharya) March 29, 2017
No Wayyy!! But then, at least its there.Its existence itself is a hope for better improvement!! #optimism #positivity #hope #SocialMedia https://t.co/arvZwMQ3aY
— Tina Acharya (@tina_acharya) March 29, 2017
A4: I think blocking/muting solves the problem (until someone is stalking). #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/xEItAhMZnb — Tarang Sinha (@TarangSinha) March 29, 2017
A4: I think blocking/muting solves the problem (until someone is stalking). #WomenOnTheMove https://t.co/xEItAhMZnb
— Tarang Sinha (@TarangSinha) March 29, 2017
@womensweb I would block. But repeat harassment reporting would be better #WomenOnTheMove — KetchupMoms (@ketchupmoms) March 29, 2017
@womensweb I would block. But repeat harassment reporting would be better #WomenOnTheMove
— KetchupMoms (@ketchupmoms) March 29, 2017
@womensweb I would say it depends on the nature and severity of the abuse.But we need to report fearlessly when we want to. #WomenOnTheMove — Anupama Dalmia (@Anupama_Dalmia) March 29, 2017
@womensweb I would say it depends on the nature and severity of the abuse.But we need to report fearlessly when we want to. #WomenOnTheMove
— Anupama Dalmia (@Anupama_Dalmia) March 29, 2017
Image: Pixabay
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