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To be safe and free from abuse on the online platforms that we use in our day-to-day lives, you can follow the following tips based on the kind of user you are and the use of the online platform: Cyber safety tips for Children Cyber safety tips for Women Cyber safety tips for Senior CitizenRead more

If you are a victim of online abuse or know someone being victimised, you must report it to the authorities. You can report online abuse in any of the following ways: Approaching the Police Station When you go to the police station to complain about a case of online abuse that you have faced, theyRead more

If someone uses abusive language against you online or photoshops your image into content which is abusive or sexually coloured, that person can be punished1 under the law. The abusive language or picture or video should: Relate to a feeling or revealing of a sexual interest or sexual desire against you or; Relate to anyRead more

Online threats of causing physical injury or harassment can be intimidating, and is considered a crime. For example, if someone messages you on Facebook that they will beat you up, it is considered a threat of physical injury. You can approach the relevant authorities, and file a complaint.  In legal terms, this is called criminalRead more

If any person monitors the following used by a woman, it amounts to cyber stalking: Internet Email Any other form of electronic communication Social media platforms For example, if someone is contacting you on multiple social media platforms despite making it clear that you are not interested in interacting with this person, then this meansRead more

If you are being harassed by someone through calls and texts, you can block them on your phones following these steps: Android Phones Block Calls To block calls on Android, go to call history and click on the contact for a few seconds. Tap on the option “Add to Blacklist” and all the calls fromRead more

Most of the applications we use on our mobile phones and laptops, commonly referred to as social media applications, provides the option to block abusers. To access the block option, click on the corresponding platforms you are facing online abuse on: Facebook Snapchat Instagram Twitter Reddit YouTube Whatsapp.Read more

If you get anonymous threats online or you are blackmailed online, you can file a complaint with the cyber cell. To file a complaint, it is not necessary to know who is responsible for the crime. You should try and tell the police whatever you know, but you don’t have to know all the details.Read more

Impersonation refers to the act of assuming a fake identity with the intention to deceive a person through the use of a computer or any communication device. For example, if someone posts a picture through your Facebook profile, while pretending to be you, it is a case of impersonation.  The punishment for impersonation is jailRead more

If you are facing abuse on online platforms, you can report the abuse to the administrators of the website. Click on the links below to follow the steps recommended by the platform you are facing abuse on: Facebook Facebook Messenger Twitter Instagram YouTube Reddit WhatsappRead more

Identity theft refers to the act of someone dishonestly stealing and making use of your password, electronic signature, or other unique identification feature. For example, if your classmate steals your Instagram password, it is an instance of identity theft.  Identity theft is punishable with jail time of up to three years and a fine ofRead more

The law punishes different kinds of crimes if obscene material is shared or you face sexual harassment online: Publishes or distributes obscene material online If someone publishes or distributes obscene material online, it is considered a crime. For example, if someone publishes pictures of a naked woman. This is punishable1 with jail time of upRead more

If someone intentionally and with malice, says or writes something online that insults your religion or religious beliefs, it is considered a crime under the law. For example, if someone insults your religion by calling it unpleasant names through a Facebook post. These acts are punishable with jail time  of up to three years orRead more

If someone takes, distributes or publishes your personal photographs or videos without your permission, it is considered a crime. For example, if someone takes pictures of your private parts and publishes them on their Facebook account, they have committed the offence of violation of privacy1.  The punishment can be jail time up to three yearsRead more

If someone takes over your online account, accesses your data or the hardware/software on your computer without your permission, that person is guilty of the offence of unauthorized access1. For example, if someone gains access to your Gmail account without your permission.  The offender is liable to pay you damages/compensation by way of a monetary amountRead more

Online abuse happens on various platforms on the internet such as social media, chat, forums, etc. When faced with online abuse, your first step should be to see what the anti-abuse policy of the platform is, and what steps the platform recommends for you to stop it. We have compiled a list of steps youRead more