Technology and harm
Technology is now one of the most common channels for harassment, coercion and abuse.
As digital platforms, messaging apps and artificial intelligence (AI) tools become embedded in daily life, the opportunities for people to harrass, monitor, threaten and control others have rapidly expanded.
Technology-facilitated abuse, otherwise known as tech-based abuse and/or digital violence can impact anyone, no matter their age, gender, sexual orientation, culture, disability, or socio-economic status. The abuse can occur publicly or privately, through strangers, or people known to the victim.
Tech-based abuse can be perpetrated through:
- Mobile phones - text messages/calls.
- Smart phone apps used to find the whereabouts of the victim, eg. Spyware can capture passwords, monitor calls, texts and emails and follow victim’s movements.
- Tablets/computers – checking/hacking email account and monitoring your internet usage.
- Social networking websites - harassing or threatening a victim or victim’s friends and family on sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
- Surveillance devices, eg. Trackers placed on a victim’s car.
People that engage in technological abuse can be operating by themselves, or in groups to inflict harm and distress towards individuals.
Forms of tech-based abuse
- image-based abuse
- sexual harassment
- deepfake sexual imagery
- cyber abuse, trolling, online threats and intimidation
- tech-facilitated coercive control
- doxing
- cyberstalking
- immersive tech
- grooming
- sexual exploitation and extortion
- impersonation
These behaviours are not new, but the scale, speed and sophistication of abuse has increased in recent years. Online harm often has serious real-world consequences, including escalation to physical violence, reputational damage, and impacts on employment, safety and mental health.
Tech-based abuse and the law
- In NSW, image-based abuse is a crime. It is illegal to create or share, or threaten to share, sexually explicit images, videos or audio of someone without their consent. This includes content that has been digitally altered or generated by artificial intelligence (AI) to place a person in a sexual situation they were never in – commonly known as deepfakes.
- In NSW, coercive control is a criminal offence, when a person uses abusive behaviours towards a current or former intimate partner with the intention to coerce or control them, including online and through digital devices.
Tips for staying safe
- Turn off the location tracker on your mobile phone
- Put passwords on all of your electronic devices and always log off or sign out.
- Increase privacy settings on social media
- Check that your next of kin details are up to date and no longer those of your ex partner.
- You can install and run security software on your electronic devices to detect apps which track your movements and record other personal information.
The culture we create online
It’s also important to recognise that not all online harm occurs at the extreme end of the spectrum. Behaviours that may seem small or commonplace can contribute to a harmful online culture - one where consent, respect and privacy are undermined.
Examples include:
- Taking a photo or video of someone on a night out and posting it online without their knowledge
- Sending images or videos of someone in a private group chat without their consent
- Tagging someone in a post or photo without checking if they’re comfortable being identified
- Sharing screenshots of private messages without the other person’s permission
- Pressuring someone to send photos or videos after they’ve said no or not responded
- Creating or sharing memes that target someone’s appearance, sexuality, race or identity
- Commenting on someone’s body or appearance in ways that are sexualised or unwanted
- Tracking someone’s location through apps or social media without their knowledge
- Using someone’s image to create fake profiles or impersonate them
- Repeatedly messaging someone after they’ve asked for space or stopped responding
- Recording video calls or online interactions without telling the other person
- Sharing rumours or unverified information about someone in group chats
- “Liking” or amplifying harmful content about someone to encourage further pile-on
Where can I go for support and/or to report?
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.