Digital violence is the act of hurting, controlling, observing or harming another person through information and communication technologies.
The acts of violence involve digital technology, such as terminals, smart devices, trackers and similar devices, software solutions, applications and instant messaging services. Digital violence can also be indirect. This means that the perpetrator uses other people, such as children, in their actions.
Digital violence is not only limited to acts done online, such as threats and stalking on social media. It can also include violence using physical technology, such as installing a tracking device on a car and tracking the location of the car without permission.
Digital violence is often intertwined with other forms of violence, making it a complex form of violence in close relationships. Acts of digital violence may be difficult to recognise in close relationships. The victim may not be aware of being a victim of digital violence.
Digital violence includes, for example:
- harassment, threats, stalking and control via technology
- controlling the other person’s interactions and use of technology
- publishing or threatening to publish intimate or otherwise sensitive images or information related to private life
- unauthorised use of the other person’s email, social media accounts or online banking codes
- unwanted contact via calls and messages
- demanding that the other person is continuously available.
Information and communication technology has increased the means of control, violence and stalking regardless of time and place. Through technology, violence is always present everywhere, so it is difficult to protect yourself from it even if the perpetrator is not physically in the same place as you.
It is difficult for the victim to anticipate the acts of digital violence. It is impossible for them to know when acts of digital violence begin or end and what new forms and methods the perpetrator may use. The perpetrator of violence may blame the other person for their violent behaviour, even though the perpetrator themselves decided to use digital violence. Violence is always the perpetrator’s choice. The victim is not responsible for any violence committed by the other person.
Digital violence also occurs in contexts other than close relationships, in which case the targets may be professionals from various fields, social media influencers, minorities, women, children and young people.
Contact Nollalinja for help with experiences and threats of digital violence.