If you’re on social media, you’re likely very aware of potential online abuse and harassment — of which marginalized groups bear the brunt. There is, however, another insidious form of abuse as it relates to technology: digital abuse.
Digital abuse is the use of technology, like texting and social media, to bully, harass, stalk, or intimidate a partner, according to love is respect, a support project by the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline aimed at young people. Examples of digital abuse are controlling who you can connect and speak with on social media; keeping constant tabs on you through social networks, spyware, or tools like location sharing; and stealing your passwords.
What is digital domestic abuse?
Here are other ways digital abuse can manifest, according to love is respect and the Metropolitan Police:
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controlling your online accounts, whether social media or otherwise (like your bank)
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sending negative, insulting, or threatening messages
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cyberflashing, or sending unwanted explicit images
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demanding or pressuring you to send explicit images
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posting explicit images of you without permission (intimate image abuse)
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using your social media accounts without your permission
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posing as you on social media
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putting you down for content you post
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taking away your devices
According to a survey of over 2,000 UK women and people of other marginalized genders by social network Communia, 29 percent of respondents have had a partner control or try to control their social media interactions. One in nine (11 percent) had a partner who did take control of their social interactions, while 18 percent had a partner who tried.
Digital abuse impacts younger people more, with 41 percent of 16-24 year-old respondents experiencing a partner control or try to control their digital interactions. Eight percent of respondents 55 and over said the same. Further, LGBTQ people also experience this: 61 percent of LGBTQ respondents had a partner control or try to control digital interactions. Twenty-seven percent of straight respondents experienced this.
Help for digital domestic abuse
If you’re experiencing digital abuse, know that you have the right to privacy. You also have the right to turn off your phone and be with loved ones without your partner getting angry, love is respect noted.
Some tips from loveisrespect and the Metropolitan Police:
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Set strong passwords for your accounts and devices, and don’t share them
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Change your WiFi password if possible
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Know the privacy settings on your social media accounts
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Turn off location sharing, and be mindful when checking in places on Facebook or foursquare
Your partner should respect your boundaries around your devices. If you need help in the U.S., you can chat online loveisrespect.org, text “loveis” to 22422, or call 1-866-331-9474. Peer advocates are available 24/7, and you can be confidential. In the UK, you can reach out to the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline through domestic abuse charity Refuge, or resources through the Met Police.
If you have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org.
