Technology is rapidly evolving, presenting a concerning landscape for women’s rights. How can women safeguard themselves online in a climate where anonymity enables abuse to occur unchecked?
As a vocal woman who sheds light on injustices in my columns, I face a barrage of abuse across various online platforms. Addressing issues like misogyny, I am often labeled a ‘traitor’ for supporting trans rights. Individuals lacking profile pictures taunt my appearance, particularly targeting my need for glasses. Disturbingly, some go as far as sharing personal details they unearthed online, such as the title of my novel or my Irish heritage.
The incessant comments all share a common goal: to intimidate and silence. It is disheartening that facing harassment is considered a norm for women with opinions and public presence.
In April 2026, UN Women released a recent report shedding light on the alarming prevalence of online violence against women and girls. The findings should serve as a stark warning to women worldwide.
Women are not only facing targeted online attacks but also grappling with a surge of misogyny fueled by technological advancements, pushing them to withdraw from public roles. It’s crucial to recognize these technological advancements for what they truly are: steps backward towards a culture of hateful misogyny.
Empowered by the unchecked digital landscape, society has shifted towards a realm where privacy is invaded without consent. Apps promoting ‘nudification’ and sexual deep-fakes operate by digitally violating women’s privacy. The underlying intent is clear: to shame, humiliate, and exert control over women.
Despite government measures to ban ‘nudification’ apps in December 2025, a clandestine online world persists in circumventing regulations. In my research for this column, I stumbled upon accessible online advice that rates ‘nudification’ apps, including their ability to generate NSFW images and facilitate ‘Spicy Mode’ chats alongside AI-generated content.
This dehumanizing trend reduces women to objects for sexual gratification, stripping them of consent, whether digital or otherwise. The UN Women report highlights the concerning reality that perpetrators now have easy access to AI-assisted ‘virtual rape.’
Viewing online abuse and ‘virtual rape’ as mere digital issues rather than real-world concerns is a misconception to be avoided. The psychological impact of these digital tools has severe implications for women in public life. Shockingly, one in four women surveyed reported experiencing AI-assisted abuse.
In a bid to shield themselves, 41% of respondents admitted to self-censoring online to evade abuse. Half of the women identifying as writers or public communicators acknowledged self-censoring on social media in response to online violence, with a quarter opting for self-censorship at work.
The sobering reality is that the digital realm’s harms are compelling women to alter their behavior even in professional settings.
This is not solely a UK issue; the report underscores the global scope of the problem. A woman from India shared her ordeal of being labeled a ‘traitor’ by online trolls who spread false accusations about her through messaging apps.
How can women defend against such attacks? While a quarter of respondents reported online violence to the authorities, they expressed feeling burdened with the responsibility of safeguarding themselves. Unfortunately, the burden often falls on the victim to adapt their behavior, leading to victim-blaming and a culture of shaming that pressures women to limit their online presence or rethink their visibility in the digital realm.
Nearly a quarter of those surveyed felt compelled to take measures to shield themselves from further victimization, including avoiding social media, refraining from discussing contentious topics publicly, shifting to less visible roles at work, or even taking a career hiatus.
The solution cannot be for women to retreat from public engagement. It is imperative for Big Tech to be held accountable for enabling abusers to propagate dangerous and threatening messages online.