Digital Abuse: Awareness is Preparedness
Nursing Tutor, Department of Community Health Nursing, College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: rocquejovita49@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Technology allows us to stay connected. Whether you are re-connecting with a lost friend from elementary school, video chatting with a partner that is far away, or making new connections with people that you’ve never met, technology allows us to reach out and touch people in ways that would have been impossible before these advancements. 1 Even though many of us spend a lot of time on our phones and computers, digital abuse isn’t as widely-known as it should be. Part of the reason for that is because it’s so interwoven with the other kinds of abuse that you might have heard about — like physical, sexual, emotional, financial, and verbal — that it’s not often singled out. It’s unlikely that someone will experience digital abuse without also experiencing another kind of abuse, but digital abuse itself is very serious and can be detrimental to a person’s wellbeing. 2
KEYWORDS: Digital Abuse, technology, Cyber Harassment, Cyber stalking, Cyber Crime
Technology has become a staple in our lives, one that is required in one way or another to complete many day-to- day activities. In a world where people are pressured to get as much done as possible in the least amount of time, while still having enough time to focus on family and friends, technological advances can offer huge advantages.3
In the age of smart-phones and smart homes, using technology to harass and abuse has become increasingly common. Digital abuse, or the use of technology to harass or intimidate someone, can take many forms. It can occur at any stage of a relationship and to people of all ages, though it is especially common among teens and young adults who use technology more often. It can also occur outside of intimate partner relationships, such as experiencing harassment from someone on a dating website.
Digital abuse can also accompany other forms of domestic violence; 96% of teenagers who experienced digital abuse also faced psychological, physical, or sexual abuse from their partners. Like other types of abuse, digital abuse is about control.4
Digital Abuse (also referred to as Social Media and technology abuse) is defined by National Domestic Violence Hotline as the use of technologies such as texting and social networking to bully, stalk or intimidate a partner. Often this behaviour is a form of verbal and emotional abuse perpetrated online.5
Digital abuse is the use of technology such as texting and social networking to bully, harass, stalk or intimidate a person. Often this behavior is a form of verbal or emotional abuse perpetrated through technology that can look like: sending unwanted, explicit pictures, demanding or coercing someone into sending their own explicit pictures, telling a partner who to be friends with
on Face book, going through a partner’s phone or social media accounts to keep tabs on them, constantly texting so that one person feels like they can’t be separated from their phone for fear of upsetting the other. Digital abuse in particular is especially prevalent, and often normalized, among young adults. Like other forms of abuse, it is an attempt to control someone’s actions.6
Types of digital abuse may include:
· Bullying and harassment: Sending insulting or threatening texts or social media messages; putting you down in social media posts; tagging you in hurtful posts or photos; posting embarrassing photos of you.
· Monitoring and stalking: Stealing or demanding to know your passwords; looking through your phone or computer without permission; using location tagging or spyware to monitor and track you; posing as you online; remotely controlling your smart home devices to intimidate you.
· Sexual coercion: Demanding you take or send explicit photos or videos you aren’t comfortable with; sending you explicit photos or videos without your consent; sharing your photos or videos with others; taking photos or videos of you without your knowledge
· Possessiveness and control: Deciding who you can follow or be friends with online; controlling who you can text or message; demanding your constant attention through technology; making you feel unsafe for not responding to messages immediately.4
A) Victim behavior:
· Social behavior changes
Examples: withdraws from activities, no longer gets along with friends, dresses differently
· New risky behaviors
Examples: drug use, alcohol, partying, sex
· Academic changes
Examples: truancy, grades decline
· Mood changes
Examples: Depression, anxiety, irritability
· Physical signs
Examples: Physical marks on victim, holes in walls of home/signs of struggle, covering up when seasonally inappropriate
In person, on the phone or online, the way a perpetrator and victim interact can be red flags Excessive texting, calling or other contact may mean that an abuser is trying to dominate the victim’s attention and control how they spend their time. Tense dramatic conversations and fighting are also indicators that something is wrong.
You may see strange power dynamics in the conversation, like an abuser answering for a victim or
telling them what to do, or a victim becoming quiet in an abuser’s presence.
These are signs that a teen may be an abuser:
· Disrespectful conversations with peers about victim Examples: shares private message or images with peers, degrading language, shares personal or private information about victim
· Demonstrates anger and/or possessive behavior Examples: yelling, aggression towards peers and/or family, constantly texting, anger when partner is absent or busy
· History of trauma
Examples: history of substance abuse, history of violent behavior, experience of trauma and/or family violence.6
Digital Abuse is an emerging form of dating / domestic violence that is thought to have serious health effects on young people. Two studies in Europe reveal the negative emotional impact of cyber stalking and individuals’ coping responses. The first - conducted in the UK - found that the relationship between digital abuse and emotional distress is likely to be influenced by the resilience or vulnerabilities of the victims. The second study - conducted in Italy - also discovered negative physical impacts of digital abuse.
A) Emotional:
· Anger /Irritation
· Confusion
· Sadness
· Fear
· Paranoia
· Loss of confidence
· Aggressiveness
· Suicidal thoughts
· Agoraphobia:
· Tiredness
· Headache
· Nausea
· Weakness
· Panic attack
· Sleep disorders
· Weight gain
· Weight loss
· Self harm7
The effect of digital abuse may last long after the experience has ended. There are many cases of digital abuse, yet only few get reported. There is also a possibility that most people who have these experiences do not see themselves as victims of domestic abuse. Perhaps some may be concerned that their digital domestic abuse will not be taken seriously, or are uncomfortable reaching out for help despite their distress. Many might simply not be aware of the available support resources.8
While most of the above consequences of digital abuse appear relatively mild compared to the consequences of physical domestic abuse, what is not apparent is the extent of the impact in terms of how long the consequences last. One study conducted by the Center for Innovative Public Health Research claims victims of digital abuse who are targeted by current or former intimate partners suffer longer-lasting personal, social, or professional harm than victims targeted by non-partners.
This claim suggests the length of a current or former relationship may be as much a factor as the resilience or vulnerabilities of the victims in determining the extent of harm suffered. The claim certainly makes sense, and is something support agencies should take into account in order to provide appropriate resources to victims of digital abuse. Indeed, the psychological consequences of severe digital abuse could inflict permanent personal, social, or professional harm on the victim.7
Here are some tips for preventing or addressing technology-related abuse:
· Change your social media passwords, especially if your partner has used your social media accounts before.
· If your phone doesn’t have a pass code on it, set one up. If your partner knows your pass code, change it.
· If you’re concerned about your partner using a location-sharing app to track your whereabouts, disable those features on your apps. Ask your friends and family not to tag you in photos or check-ins on social media.
· Sign out of your social media accounts every time you log off. This makes it harder for someone else to access your accounts.
· Do not send photos, videos, or sexually explicit texts to your partner if they try to coerce you into doing it. You do not “owe” it to them to do something that doesn’t respect your boundaries.
· If you are in the process of leaving or have recently left an unhealthy relationship, blocking your ex’s phone number or social media accounts can help protect you and prohibit your ex from contacting you. Blocking your ex’s family members or friends can also help if you’re concerned about your ex trying to
contact you through someone else. If your ex continues to attempt to contact you and you’re concerned for your safety, reach out to available support resources.9
· Your partner should respect your relationship boundaries.
· It is ok to turn off your phone. You have the right to be alone and spend time with friends and family without your partner getting angry.
· You do not have to text any pictures or statements that you are uncomfortable sending, especially nude or partially nude photos, known as “sexting”.
· You lose control of any electronic message once your partner receives it. They may forward it, so don’t send anything you fear could be seen by others.
· You do not have to share your passwords with anyone.
· Know your privacy settings. Social networks such as Face book allow the user to control how their information is shared and who has access to it. These are often customizable and are found in the privacy section of the site. Remember, registering for some applications (apps) require you to change your privacy settings.
· Be mindful when using check-ins like Face book Places and Foursquare. Letting an abusive partner know where you are could be dangerous. Also, always ask your friends if it’s ok for you to check them in. You never know if they are trying to keep their location secret.5
You have a say in what happens in your relationships online, just like you should have in person:
· You have the right to control your own content. No one should try to force you into posting what you don’t want to post, to try to change or control what you say online, or to post unwanted content on your behalf
· You can step away. Your partner should not pressure you into replying within a specific time frame, nor should they get mad if you choose to take a break from social media, or if you choose to delete your accounts all together
· You have the right to privacy. Your partner should not pressure you into sharing your password with them.
· You have the right to speak to whoever you want to. Your partner should not try to control who you talk to online, nor should they use this against you
· You do not have to send any picture or message that you are uncomfortable sending
· Lastly, you have the right to end any relationship that you are uncomfortable with and at any time.1
While technology has done a lot of good in changing the dating landscape, it is important to think about some of the things that could go wrong online, particularly in a relationship. Identifying potential problems will help you avoid these in the first place, will help you handle a situation if it happens to you, and will make you better equipped to identify signs of digital abuse in the relationships of those that you care about.1
1. Centerstone. Cyberbullying and Digital Abuse [Online]. Available from https://centerstone.org/teen/media/cyberbullying-and-digital- abuse/
2. Bumble. Digital abuse [Online] Available from https://bumble.com/en-in/the-buzz/how-to-protect-yourself-digital- abuse
3. Rebecca Lynn. Break the Silencedv [Online] [cited 2020, 19th January]. Available from https://breakthesilencedv.org/what-is- digital-abuse-2/
4. Joyful Hear Foundation. [Online] [Cited August, 23 2018]. Available from
https://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/blog/digital-abuse-signs- and-help
5. Tearmann Society for Abused Women [Online]. Available from http://tearmann.ca/about-abuse/digital-abuse/
6. Penda Sunkett. Digital Abuse. [Online] [Cited May, 17 2017]. Available from https://www.slideshare.net/PendaSunkett/digital- abuse
7. Tara Gibson. Domestic abuse in the Digital Age and How Covid - 19 is playing a Role. [Online] [Cited April 15 2020]. Available from https://www.ravemobilesafety.com/blog/domestic-abuse-in- the-digital-age-how-covid-19-is-playing-a-role
8. Debarati Bhowmick. Digital Abuse. Safecity. [Online] [Cited December 4, 2018]. Available from http://www.safecity.in/digital- abuse/
9. Pillars Community Health. Digital Abuse: A Discussion about Teen Dating Violence. [Online]. Available from https://pillarscommunityhealth.org/17350-2/
Received on 23.06.2021 Modified on 05.07.2021
Accepted on 15.07.2021 © AandV Publications all right reserved
Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research. 2021; 9(4):515-518.
DOI: 10.52711/2454-2660.2021.00122