The rise of social media has transformed the public perception and treatment of influencers and public figures, bringing with it a disturbing trend of online abuse that affects individuals across various platforms. As influencers gain prominence, especially through platforms like Instagram, they often become targets for relentless trolling, harassment, and threats, which can sometimes escalate to life-threatening levels. This issue has sparked significant concern from various quarters, including government bodies, mental health advocates, and the influencers themselves, urging for more robust measures to combat digital abuse.
A prominent voice in this ongoing discussion is Em Sheldon, a social media influencer with a substantial following who recently testified before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee in the UK. In her powerful testimony, Sheldon shared her harrowing experiences as an influencer, detailing the shocking abuse she receives from anonymous users. "The trolling trebled overnight," she lamented, noting that after speaking out about online hate, her accounts were flooded with derogatory messages. She recounted waking up to over 100 abusive messages, content ranging from insults about her intelligence and worth to outright threats. "People must read articles about how bad the abuse is, then think, ‘Aha! I’ll go and abuse her!’ It’s crazy," she expressed.
Sheldon highlighted a particular aspect of social media culture—the reliance on anonymity that often emboldens trolls to unleash their vitriol without consequence. She stated firmly, "People think they have a right to know where I live, who my friends and family are and so on. These dark forums need shutting down." Associating her plight with that of many other influencers, she emphasized the urgent need for social media platforms to hold users accountable and foster a safer online environment.
The phenomenon isn't confined to influence culture alone. Amy Hart, a former contestant from the popular reality show Love Island, also voiced her distress while addressing MPs. Hart revealed receiving death threats from a 13-year-old who was traced back by authorities. "You think, if that's what they're doing at 13 in their bedroom at their mum and dad's house, what are they going to do when they're 18 and they're out on their own?" she reflected. Hart reiterated that most abuse originates from anonymous accounts, further noting her attempts to report this abuse often yielded frustrating results from social media platforms that dismissed her concerns as not violating community guidelines.
Moreover, the issue takes an even more drastic turn when examining the treatment of women in the online space. According to various studies, women are particularly vulnerable to online harassment. A recent report indicated that 37% of women in Ethiopia have faced technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and the implications extend to their personal and professional lives. Reports indicate that the common tactics of such abuse include threats, harassment, extortion, and targeted hate speech that specifically belittles or attacks women based on their gender.
Further highlighting the specificities of gendered online abuse, the Centre for Information Resilience conducted research that showcased how women often face distinct forms of online hostility that men do not. For instance, men might be targeted for their opinions or political views, while women face strict scrutiny based on societal gender expectations, including their appearance and lifestyle choices. This issue isn't isolated to celebrities; rather, it spills over to everyday women who choose to engage in online discourse.
In Ethiopia, women's voices in the political and social spheres are increasingly stifled due to the pervasive nature of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Selam Abebe, an Ethiopian activist, shared her reality of being systematically targeted and receiving threats that make her feel unsafe in both her online and offline life. "I have blocked over 500 individuals from my Facebook account due to harassment," she said. The psychological toll of this continuous abuse forces many women to reconsider their engagement in public forums.
The ramifications of such online abuse extend beyond individual instances. Reports indicate that as many as half of Ethiopian women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, exacerbated by cultural attitudes that often blame victims rather than holding perpetrators accountable. Despite existing laws against gender-based violence, much of the population navigates these challenges with a lack of awareness or resources necessary for meaningful recourse.
Addressing the cultural nuances surrounding online harassment, experts advocate for policy reforms aimed at regulating online behaviors. A proposed Online Safety Bill in the UK has sparked debate over the responsibilities of social media platforms to police content hosted on their sites. As part of this legislative action, platforms would be required to perform risk assessments and mitigate potential harm, including taking swift action against abusive content.
Not all influencers have expressed confidence that policy measures like the proposed bill will adequately address the problem. Singer Nicola Roberts, for instance, has publicly rejected endorsing the government's online safety proposals, suggesting they fall short of effectively preventing offenders from sidestepping bans by creating new accounts after being flagged for abusive behavior. "If you block people they make 10 other accounts," she stated bluntly, emphasizing that such legislative measures might not sufficiently deter determined abusers.
Furthermore, celebrity influencers often echo similar sentiments, calling for social media to implement more substantial identification requirements to verify users, thus limiting anonymity and making users accountable for their posts. Yet, researchers caution against overly simplistic solutions, arguing that simply removing anonymity may not address the root of the problem: the social acceptance of harassment against those who put their lives online.
The situation remains complex, as victims—especially women—experience a unique intersection of online abuse along with the broader societal issue of gender-based violence. Encouragingly, many activists and organizations are taking steps to combat the threat posed by online harassment through educational initiatives and resources. For a country like Ethiopia, with growing internet access, the need to create safe digital spaces is paramount, and it is vital to emphasize education, empowerment, and advocacy as critical components for sustainable change.
As social media continues evolving, so does the discourse around influencer culture and the responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in maintaining a safer digital environment. The voices of women, especially those experiencing abuse, must be amplified and prioritized in these conversations. Online spaces need to reflect the same accountability and compassion that are expected in face-to-face interactions; it is only through systemic change, both on the legislative side and in personal perceptions, that a safer future can be crafted for all users of social media.
In sum, while the journey to improving safety in online spaces remains fraught with challenges, the increased dialogue surrounding these issues signals progress. Advocates and experts continue to push for accountability, not just for perpetrators of online abuse, but also for social media platforms and society as a whole to acknowledge, challenge, and change the prevailing culture of online aggression. Em Sheldon, Amy Hart, and Selam Abebe, among many other influencers and advocates, serve as critical reminders of the human impact behind the numbers and studies—echoing a collective call for action against the tide of online harassment and abuse.
