Technology has made communication faster, easier, and more global. But it has also opened new doors for abuse especially against women, girls, and vulnerable groups. Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) refers to any form of harm that takes place through digital platforms, devices, or the internet. These acts often mirror offline gender-based violence, but they spread faster, reach wider audiences, and cause long-lasting emotional, psychological, and social damage.
Here are the most common forms of TFGBV affecting young people today- what they look like, how they happen, and why they matter.
Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking involves repeatedly monitoring, tracking, or harassing someone online.
This can include:
- Constantly checking someone’s location through social media
- Flooding their DMs with obsessive messages
- Using fake accounts to monitor their posts
- Tracking their movements through hacked devices
Cyberstalking often escalates to physical stalking and puts victims especially women and girls at high risk.
Online Sexual Harassment
This includes any form of unwanted sexual behavior online, such as:
- Unsolicited nude photos
- Sexual comments, threats, or jokes
- Requests for sexual content
- Persistent sexual advances even after refusal
Women and girls are disproportionately targeted, and young people are at increased risk due to social media exposure.
Sextortion
Sextortion involves blackmailing someone using their intimate images or videos. The abuser may demand:
- More explicit content
- More Money
- A relationship from their target
Doxxing
Doxxing means exposing someone’s private information online without their consent. This may include their:
- Home address
- Phone number
- Workplace
- Family details
- Screenshots of private conversations
Although doxxing happens online, it can easily spill over into real life, exposing victims to real physical danger, targeted harassment, intimidation and public humiliation.
Deepfake Abuse
With AI tools, abusers can now create fake nudes or videos featuring a person’s face. Deepfake abuse can include:
- Manipulated videos used for blackmail
- AI tools used to digitally remove clothing and create fake nudes of people
Deepfake abuse is a dangerous form of TFGBV that weaponises AI to create humiliating, sexualised or misleading content without a person’s consent. Its impact goes beyond the digital space, causing deep emotional harm and exposing victims to long-term stigma and violation.
Non-Consensual Intimate Image Sharing (NCII) – “Revenge Porn”
Non-Consensual Intimate Image Sharing (NCII) remains the most widespread form of TFGBV, affecting thousands of young people every year. This happens when private photos or videos are shared without consent.
It could be:
- An ex leaking private photos
- Someone threatening to share intimate images for money (sextortion)
- Hackers stealing and posting intimate content
- Screenshots shared in group chats
NCII is one of the most devastating forms of TFGBV because once something is online, it spreads quickly and can be almost impossible to remove completely.
Why Awareness of TFGBV Is Critical
TFGBV creates fear, shame, trauma, and isolation. Survivors may withdraw from school, work, or social activities. Many people lose confidence, face online bullying, or deal with long-term mental health challenges like anxiety and depression as a result of these incidents.
Because technology is now part of everyday life, digital safety is essential – especially for young people who spend most of their time online.
TFGBV is not “just online drama” It is real violence with real consequences. By understanding what it looks like, we can better protect ourselves, report abuse, support survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable.
If you or someone you know is facing TFGBV, report to:
