Online Harassment:

The variety of good things but on the other hand, it simply The Internet with its amazing property and plenty of resources offers provides a straightforward platform for committing offenses. Harassment in digital space is one of the offenses, the offense of harassment has also been magnified and rooted inside the cyber world and is now known as "cyber-harassment".

This is one such offense that has evolved within the previous twenty years with the introduction of the low-cost and speedy internet property and diversity of internet users. People like to use the internet to explore, which has made life convenient and comfortable. They walk into the unknown person and interact with almost everyone, anytime, anywhere. Cybercriminals now have access to the digital world and mostly target wom

troduction of the low-cost and speedy internet property and diversity of internet users. People like to use the internet to explore, which has made life convenient and comfortable. They walk into the unknown person and interact with almost everyone, anytime, anywhere.

Cyber criminals now have access to the digital world and mostly target women.

Law enforcement against such an offense is not easy because the internet provides anonymity to the people, thus making it hard to track down the offenders, and Women and Children are most vulnerable to such a crime.

Introduction
Online harassment means harmful or abusive behavior done through digital platforms to intentionally hurt, intimidate, or insult someone. It often happens repeatedly and takes advantage of the internet's anonymity and wide reach, making it easier for attackers to target their victims.

This behavior can include direct threats, offensive comments, or actions meant to humiliate, defame, or invade someone's privacy. Examples include spreading false information, sharing manipulated or explicit images, or showing discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or other traits.

It also includes subtle actions like stalking someone online, sending unwanted advances, or manipulating their emotions. It's especially harmful because online content spreads quickly, causing emotional, psychological, and reputational harm.

Online harassment can happen on social media platform like facebook twitter, tiktok, instagram etc.

Terminologies Associated

• Cyber bullying: Targeting someone repeatedly, often a younger individual.
• Cyber aggression: Hostile actions online.
• Cyber stalking: Monitoring or threatening someone persistently online.
• Cyber hate: Hateful expressions targeting race, gender, or beliefs.
• Deviant Online Behavior: Any unethical or harmful online conduct.

These actions not only affect people emotionally but can also harm their safety and reputation.
 

Types of Online Harassment

• Cyber bullying: Cyber bullying refers to intentionally and repeatedly harming an individual or group through digital means. It commonly takes place on social media platforms and involves actions like mocking, spreading rumors, or direct harassment. States have varying laws addressing cyberbullying, which may include criminal penalties or school-related consequences.
• Cyber stalking: This form of harassment involves repeated threats, intimidation, or other forms of targeted abuse against a person. Cyber stalking can include making false accusations, defaming the victim, or vandalizing their online presence. It is often a punishable crime under both federal and state laws.
• Masquerading: Also known as catfishing, it involves pretending to be someone else online, often to deceive or manipulate others. This can include creating fake profiles or identities to send harmful messages, spread false information, or put the real person at risk. It's a form of online impersonation that can cause emotional, reputational, or even physical harm to the victim.
• Internet pile-on: Happens when many people are encouraged to attack or criticize one person online with lots of hurtful messages. This can overwhelm the person and cause them a lot of stress or harm. It usually starts when someone says or does something that others disagree with, leading to a group joining in on the bullying.
• Image-based sexual abuse: Also known as revenge pornography or non-consensual pornography, it involves sharing private sexual photos or videos of someone without their permission. The purpose is usually to cause harm or distress to the person in the images or videos. Victims of this abuse may also face blackmail or extortion, where their private content is used to threaten or manipulate them.
• Doxxing: The act of publishing someone's personal information, such as their home address or contact details, online with malicious intent. Though it is common in gaming or hacker communities, it also targets public figures like celebrities, journalists, or politicians. Depending on the intent and harm caused, it can be a misdemeanor or felony.
• Swatting: Builds on doxxing by falsely reporting a dangerous situation to law enforcement about the victim, such as a fabricated hostage situation. This prompts police or SWAT teams to respond heavily at the victim's residence, creating serious risks. Swatting is a criminal act with severe legal consequences.
• Revenge Porn: Refers to the unauthorized sharing of sexually explicit images or videos, typically by an ex-partner. This act is illegal in many states and carries significant penalties, including jail time and fines.
• Sextortion: Happens when someone uses explicit photos or videos to blackmail a victim, often threatening to share the material with the victim's friends, family, or employer if demands aren't met. This is a serious cybercrime and is punishable under both federal and state laws.

 

Some Examples of online harassment are as follows:

• Spreading rumors, ridiculing, or demeaning others.
• Harassing others based on race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or transgender identity.
• Seeking revenge or embarrassing someone online.
• Sending unwanted sexual messages or sharing intimate images without consent.
• Impersonating others with malicious intent.
• Sending inflammatory or offensive messages to provoke reactions.
• Exposing others to inappropriate or offensive content in digital groups or meetings.

Effects of Online Harassment

The effects of online harassment can be severe and long-lasting, impacting both emotional and physical well-being. Some common effects include:

1. Emotional and Psychological Impact: Victims may experience anxiety, depression, anger, and feelings of hopelessness. The constant stress can lead to lower self-esteem and a sense of isolation.
2. Social Withdrawal: Many victims withdraw from social media and online interactions to escape the harassment, leading to social isolation and feelings of loneliness.
3. Reputation Damage: Online harassment can harm a person's reputation, affecting their personal relationships and even their career, especially if false information or embarrassing content is spread.
4. Physical Health Issues: The emotional toll can manifest physically, with symptoms like sleep disturbances, headaches, and fatigue.
5. Fear and Safety Concerns: Victims of serious harassment, such as doxxing or swatting, may fear for their safety and well-being, leading to anxiety about their physical security.
6. Impact on Education and Career: Students and professionals may face academic or work-related challenges due to the stress or distractions caused by online harassment.
7. Legal Consequences: In some cases, victims may take legal action to stop the harassment, which can lead to the involvement of law enforcement and the legal system.

Laws Related to Online Harassment

1. Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act):
   • Section 66E: Punishes the publication of obscene images or videos without consent, with up to 3 years of imprisonment and a fine.
   • Section 67: Penalizes the transmission of obscene content electronically, with up to 5 years in prison and a fine.
   • Section 72: Deals with privacy breaches and penalizes unauthorized access to personal data, resulting in up to 2 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.
   • Section 66A: Previously addressed offensive messages but was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015.
2. Indian Penal Code (IPC):
   • Section 354C: Criminalizes voyeurism, including sharing intimate images without consent.
   • Section 499 & 500: Covers defamation and spreading false information.
   • Section 503: Addresses criminal intimidation and threatening harm.
   • Section 507: Criminalizes anonymous communication intended to cause harm or distress.
3. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act): Criminalizes online sharing of sexually explicit content involving minors.
4. Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013: Introduced Section 354D, which criminalizes cyberstalking.
5. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: Addresses online harassment involving emotional or psychological abuse.

How to Report Online Harassment

• Cyber Crime Portal: Visit cybercrime.gov.in to report cybercrimes.
• Filing a Complaint at Local Police Station: Provide details of the incident and register an FIR.
• Cyber Crime Cells: Approach specialized cybercrime cells in your city.
• Social Media Platforms: Use reporting tools on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
• MHA Helpline: Call the cybercrime helpline at 1930.
• Report to CERT-In: Report security breaches at www.cert-in.org.in.

Immediate Steps to be Taken by Victims

1. Document Everything: Capture screenshots, save URLs, and note the details of the harassment.
2. Block the Harasser: Block or unfollow the person harassing you, but keep evidence first.
3. Report the Incident: Use social media reporting tools or report to authorities.
4. Keep Your Privacy Safe: Adjust privacy settings on social media.
5. Increase Personal Cybersecurity: Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and consider using a VPN.

Conclusion:
Online Harassment is one of the increasing concerns of the nation in this digital age. Online Harassment can take place in many forms such as cyber bullying, cyber stalking, sextortion, impersonation, etc. As these kinds of offenses take place in society, there are several laws governing these offenses such as the Information Technology Act, of 2000, the Indian Penal Code, of 1860, The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, of 2013, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences, 2012.

These governing laws provide a framework for addressing and punishing offenses relating to online harassment. But, in this modern age, the complexities to curb the problem of cybercrimes are increasing day by day because the nature of the internet makes it more challenging to enforce these laws.

In conclusion, to properly handle the complex and multifaceted issue of online harassment, a multidisciplinary strategy is necessary. Creating a better and more secure online environment for everyone is attainable by combining legislative, technological, and pedagogical approaches.

References:

• Legal services India
• From Goggle
• AI Technology