TECHNOLOGY HAS THE ABILITY TO IMPROVE LIVES, BUT CAN ALSO OPEN A DARK DOOR

• While technology is an important part of today’s world, people need to understand that the digital revolution comes with risks that can lead to technology facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).
• Children and teenagers are especially at risk from TFGBV, in the form of harassment, unsolicited texts, cyberstalking, abuse or worse.
• A report by the United Nations’ Population Fund and Save Our Children highlights the pressing need for government action and parental watchfulness to combat TFGBV.

By Morapedi Sibeko

Technology has changed how young people interact with others, articulate their views, and even study in today’s hyperconnected society. However, there is a darker side to this digital evolution – technology facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).

TFGBV refers to violent crimes against people based on gender and often carried out through digital media and communication technologies. It can manifest in various forms including gendered harassment, non-consensual sharing of intimate photographs, and cyberbullying.

While technology empowers young people it can also lead to abuse and exploitation. Facilitated by digital platforms, TFGBV is a constant reality for children and teenagers, ranging from unsolicited texts to cyberstalking and harassment campaigns.

Gyan Dwarika, who oversees the Department of Social Development’s Child Exploitation programme, shed light on the hidden dangers that exist in digital spaces, pointing out the pervasive risk of online abuse of children and youth that extends well beyond conventional avenues.

She also reinforced the dark web’s evil character as a secrecy-focused online space that supports illegal operations including credit card theft, drug sales, and child pornography.

“It is especially detrimental to young people because of its hidden nature and anonymity,” said Dwarika.

A warning about apps

Although digital platforms are appealing to children and young people as spaces of social interaction, they can quickly turn into hotspots for abuse. Evidence, education, awareness, and the creation of strong protections are necessary to prevent internet abuse effectively, according to Dwarika.

She listed some apps that appear harmless at face value but are detrimental to children.

One such app appears to be a standard calculator but is actually a secret photo vault. The sharing of intimate images is frequent among children and may lead to “sextortion” if the images are later used to demand money.

Whisper is an anonymous online platform that promotes communication with strangers and the sharing of personal information, often putting children and adolescents in danger. The ultimate goal of strangers evaluating profiles on Hot or Not is hookups, which is dangerous for young users.

A comparison programme called Wishbone sets children against each other, promoting bullying, humiliation, and low self-esteem. Children also create fake Instagram profiles, also known as “Finsta”.

According to a report by the United Nations’ Population Fund and Save the Children, the normalisation of such negative behaviour among young people makes it even more concerning. Many young people think that being active on social media automatically leads to online harassment.

In addition to making them more vulnerable, this acceptance makes it more difficult for young people to ask for assistance or to reject the digital platforms that support this kind of violence.

Many young people are reluctant to disclose TFGBV incidents because they are afraid of being judged or seen as a victim, or they do not believe they will be supported by networks that are available, according to the UN report. They feel alone and, as a result, are caught in a vicious cycle of harm and silence.

Understanding TFGBV

A deeper understanding of the intricate connection between youth, technology, and violence can be gained by looking at their interrelated themes. Understanding these difficulties is crucial to developing solutions that empower the youth and deal with the structural problems that support TFGBV.

TFGBV not only causes immediate harm but also affects how young people interact with and perceive the people responsible for their safety. The acceptability of TFGBV is a sign of a troubling shift in culture that lessens the sensitivity of young people to harm and deters them from questioning the existing status quo or pushing for safer online spaces.

They ought to be free to explore and express themselves in a healthy way without having to worry about internet safety. Policies must promote youth independence while also safeguarding them.

The report highlights the pressing need for government action and parental watchfulness.

With programmes like the Department of Social Development’s online safety initiatives and the partnerships established at the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children held in Bogotá, Colombia, in early November 2024, South Africa is leading the charge to make the internet a safer place for children.

The department’s efforts are an essential first step in ensuring children’s safety in South Africa’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, according to Neliswa Cekiso, who oversees the Child Protection programme in the Department of Social Development. The initiatives, which cover everything from training children about internet safety to teaching parents how to be watchful, are crucial in the battle against TFGBV.

In addition to policies and government programmes, parents, guardians and other caregivers are essential in protecting children from harm. It is crucial for parents to be aware of what their child is doing online. Open communication, knowledge of potential risks and educating children about online safety are critical steps in this battle.