Your phone helps you do almost everything. You use it for school or campus work, to keep up with friends and relationships, to browse social media, entertainment like netflix and spotify, online dating, online banking or mpesa and even growing business opportunities.

Technology helps people stay connected, informed and entertained every day. However, the same technology that connects people can also be used to control, threaten, embarrass or harm them. This is called Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).

What Is Digital GBV?

Technology-Facilitated GBV (TFGBV) is gender-based violence that happens through digital technology or online platforms. It happens on platforms like WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Telegram, X (Twitter), Facebook, gaming platforms, dating apps, email or other messaging services. The abuse may target someone because of their gender, sexuality, appearance, relationships or personal information.

Digital GBV is becoming more common among young people in Kenya, especially through fake accounts, online harassment and the sharing of private content without consent. Online content spreads quickly and can be difficult to remove completely, thus, the emotional impact can feel overwhelming.

Common Forms of Digital GBV

• Online Harassment: Repeated abusive messages, insults, or threats sent publicly or privately.
• Cyberstalking: Constant monitoring of activity, location tracking, or pressure to share private passwords.
• Non-Consensual Sharing: Distributing intimate photos or videos without permission.
• Sextortion: Threatening to leak private content unless money or demands are met.
• Impersonation: Using fake accounts to damage a person's reputation or spread harm.
• AI Abuse/Deepfakes: Creating fake sexual images or videos using artificial intelligence.
• Doxing: Publicly sharing private contact or location information without consent.

Online harm can feel difficult to escape because digital content spreads very quickly. Screenshots, reposts, and downloads can make harmful content difficult to fully remove once it is online.

How to Protect Yourself and Others Online

Unlike offline harassment, digital abuse can follow someone everywhere through their phone. It can happen at school, at home, at work, or late at night. Some abusers also hide behind anonymous or fake accounts, making the experience even more stressful and frightening.

These are some ways you can protect yourself and others online;

• Protect accounts using strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Consider the impact of personal content becoming public before sharing online.
• Regularly review and update privacy settings on all digital platforms.
• Block, mute, or leave online spaces that are toxic or make you uncomfortable.
• Avoid sharing live locations or sensitive personal addresses publicly.
• Be an active bystander by reporting abuse and checking in on affected individuals.
• Encourage survivors to seek help and speak up safely against online harm.
• Offer consistent support to help survivors feel less isolated and safer.
• Digital violence can affect mental health, confidence, relationships, school or work performance, sleep, stress levels, and personal safety. No one deserves to experience that kind of harm.

Moreover, if someone tells you they are experiencing digital abuse, your response matters.

Helpful responses include: “I believe you.” , “This is not your fault.” , “You don’t deserve this.” , “I’m here for you.” , “Do you want help reporting it?”

Avoid blaming or judging the person. Harmful responses include: “Why did you send the photo?” , “Just ignore it.” , “You should have known better.” , “It’s your fault.”

Blaming survivors can increase shame and make it harder for them to seek support. Moreover, digital Respect Matters Too. Healthy online behavior includes respecting consent, protecting other people’s privacy, avoiding humiliation for entertainment, and thinking carefully before posting or sharing content.

Online actions can have real-world consequences. What may seem like a joke or trend online can seriously affect another person’s safety, reputation, confidence, or mental wellbeing.