For many women, social media can be a source of anxiety, exposing them to harassment, fake accounts, threats and privacy violations every day. Many women and girls receive disturbing messages from strangers, suspicious links or threats about leaking personal photos. Even when these threats are false, they still create fear and emotional stress. Women often feel pressured to stay alert all the time – thinking carefully before posting pictures, accepting requests or even responding to messages. What makes this even more painful is that society sometimes blames women instead of holding harassers responsible. Online safety should not depend on constant fear or caution. Women deserve privacy, respect and protection in digital spaces just as much as they do in real life. No one should feel unsafe simply for using the internet. Technology was meant to connect people, not make them feel threatened.
Muhaddisa Hussain
Karachi
