The progression of internet has been the sole reason for the advancement in almost every field in today’s world. The rapidly growing world of social media has provided new platforms for sharing information and made self-expression easier for everyone. However, despite its numerous advantages, this new digital age of internet has also exposed individuals, especially women, to its harmful effects. The widespread among them all is cyber bullying.
Cyberbullying is defined the use of technology to harass, threaten, humiliate, or target another person. It is a type of bullying or harassment that occurs online and through digital technologies, including websites, messaging applications, and social media. It involves using technology to intentionally hurt, threaten, or disgrace someone. Cyberbullying may have profound emotional and psychological consequences for victims, frequently leading to anxiety, sadness, and, in severe cases, self-harm. It has become a gender-biased issue, affecting more women than men.
Women are also subject to sexual harassment, emotional abuse, and online stalking. This behaviour has become so common that perpetrators often act without remorse. Many women usually choose not to speak out against cyberbullying often due to a fear of being judged which contributes to underreporting of such incidents and allows cyber harassment to continue unchecked. Many young women today are active on social media as influencers, bloggers, brand promoters, or small business owners.
While they often have thousands of followers, they also encounter “Haters”, in terms of the netizens, who use these platforms to harass them on their body types, complexion, dress, or facial features, leaving mean comments under their posts. Having easy access to public accounts, these cyberbullies feel entitled to voice unsolicited opinions. This criticism can have lasting psychological effects, leading some women to feel insecure and discouraged from speaking out against online abuse. Moreover, some women use social media to voice opinions on current issues or raise awareness about the injustices women face in workplaces or in domestic settings. Unfortunately, they often encounter trolling from misogynistic users, who attempt to silence them through harassment, ultimately affecting their self-confidence and well-being.
Effect of Cyber Bullying on Mental and Emotional Health
Cyberbullying takes a significant toll on women’s mental health, often leaving them feeling insecure. Negative comments on social media posts and videos can lead victims to develop body image issues, adopt irregular eating habits, or engage in weight loss diets. The cyber-attacks can severely lower self-esteem, causing them to question their self-worth, experience heightened anxiety, and in some cases, fall into depression.
Tragically, in the most severe cases, the emotional damage inflicted by cyberbullies can even lead to suicidal thoughts. Online trolling often drives victims to both online and social isolation. To avoid judgement and criticism, they may withdraw from social media, seeking comfort in solitude where they are free from trolling. This detachment, however, erodes their support systems, leaving them disconnected from friends and family and ultimately grappling with feelings of loneliness.
Women are also subject to sexual harassment, emotional abuse, and online stalking. This behaviour has become so common that perpetrators often act without remorse. Many women usually choose not to speak against cyberbullying often due to a fear of being judged which contributes to underreporting of such incidents and allows cyber harassment to continue unchecked.
Many young women today are active on social media as influencers, bloggers, brand promoters, or small business owners. While they often have thousands of followers, they also encounter “Haters”, in terms of the netizens, who use these platforms to harass them on their body types, complexion, dress, or facial features, leaving mean comments under posts. Having easy access to public accounts, these cyberbullies feel entitled to voice unsolicited opinions. This criticism can leave lasting psychological effects, leading some women to feel insecure and discouraged from speaking against online abuse. Moreover, some women use social media to voice opinions on current issues or raise awareness about injustices women face in workplaces or in domestic settings. Unfortunately, they often encounter trolling from misogynistic users, who attempt to silence them through harassment, ultimately affecting their self-confidence and well-being.
Cyberbullying in Pakistan
According to the Global Digital Report, Pakistan has 111.0 million internet users at the start of 2024, with 71.70 million having active social media accounts, making it one of the fastest-growing nations in terms of internet access. 
However, many women in Pakistan remain unaware of the cybercrime laws, which contributes to their fear of posting pictures online. A recent report by the Digital Rights Foundation reveals a troubling reality that nearly 40% of women in Pakistan have fallen prey to cyberbullying, facing a spectrum of online abuse that includes sexual harassment, blackmail, hate speech, stalking, identity theft, and even physical threats. According to a study of online violence, 72% of women in Pakistan are unaware of the cyber laws and how to file a complaint and seek protection from the state. More than 45% of women think that it is embarrassing to report harassment and assume that the state won’t be able to safeguard their rights.
Support Network
By speaking out against cyberbullying, victims can help build a supportive network, empowering others to regain their confidence and publicly holding bullies accountable for these harmful actions. Social media platforms also have a role in ensuring user safety and providing measures to protect against harassment. Immediate reporting options and a robust policing system are essential to combat these cybercrimes effectively.
Online reporting helps establish a strong support system for victims, inspiring other silently affected women to come forward and share their experiences. Such safe digital spaces foster a compassionate online culture, reassuring women that a supportive community stands with them. This also sends a powerful message to abusers that their harmful actions won’t go unpunished. For young girls, access to counseling for these issues aids in emotional resilience and reinforces self-worth, equipping them to navigate online spaces confidently and safely.
Speaking Out Raises Awareness and Ensures Change
Speaking out against cyberbullying plays a pivotal role in raising public awareness. By using their voices, women empower themselves against cyberbullies and gain emotional resilience.
Sharing experiences–whether through blogs, stories, or support not only fosters a sense of solidarity but also helps others realise they are not alone in facing these challenges. This collective expression builds awareness, providing reassurance and strength to those affected.
People who have not experienced cyberbullying often do not grasp the profound impact it can have on a victim’s life. By sharing such incidents, women not only raise awareness but also highlight the severity of this global issue. When women collectively voice concerns on social issues, it pushes for systematic change, promoting stricter policies and increased accountability for cyber bullies.
The creation of safer online spaces is directly linked to the reporting of cyber harassment cases. Thus, as more women advocate for cyber safety, social media platforms like Instagram, and Twitter will face greater pressure to strengthen their policies and enhance community security.
Our Actions
As an effort of the Planning Commission to address the issue it is proposed that we carry out an awareness campaign titled ‘Own your space: Empowering women to fight against cyberbullying and harassment. Moreover, according to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) in 2016, Pakistan has strong cybercrime laws that impose severe penalties for online offenses. This challenges the perception that Pakistan's cybercrime laws are insufficient.
For example, publishing false information about someone online can lead to a penalty of up to Rs. 1 million, three years in prison, or both. Similarly, editing someone's photos or creating explicit content can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of Rs. 5 million or both.
Cyberstalking, which includes creating unauthorised recordings or posting someone's photos online without their consent, can result in three years in prison and fines of up to Rs. 1 million.
Hacking a person's email or phone for stalking purposes can also lead to a initial sentence of three months in prison and a fine of Rs. 1 million. These penalties underline the legal framework aimed at protecting individuals from online harassment and violations of privacy.
PECA has recently proposed updates to the legal framework, but balancing private rights with online protection remains a challenge. While the act provides a legal framework to raise awareness at the grassroots level and ensures timely implementation, improving web security is an essential next step. Enhancing online protection requires not only strengthening laws but also fostering better awareness of digital safety, ensuring that both individuals and platforms are equipped to prevent and address cyberbullying effectively.
Regrettably, the situation in Pakistan remains concerning convictions and implementation of cybercrime laws. The effectiveness of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in addressing the rising number of cybercrimes and harassment cases on social media platforms has been recently criticised by the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology. The committee raised concerns about the inadequate response to the growing online harassment issue, highlighting the challenges faced in ensuring the timely and effective enforcement of existing laws.
In a nutshell, the rapid expansion of internet connectivity in Pakistan, demonstrated by a growing number of internet users and active social media accounts, reflects the country’s evolving digital landscape.
Pakistan has become an integral part of the global digital community, where the internet now serves as a major medium for social connection, business, education, and personal interactions. While this growth brings potential benefits, it also introduces serious challenges, especially concerning cyberbullying and online abuse.
The value of digital citizenship, online safety, and emotional awareness empower youth to navigate the complex online world responsibly. This foundational knowledge prepares future generations to leverage the internet for positive societal impact rather than harm.
As internet access continues to grow and integrates more deeply into daily life, ensuring that digital spaces remain safe becomes ever more essential.

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