Modern era has presented a new concept of safety for Indian women

Our modern era presents a new concept of safety for women. The notion that women are unsafe on roads presents only half the truth. On a deeper look into the reality, we’ll find that not only outside, women are unsafe even inside home. Online harassment and threats are not a new phenomenon, but the degree to which these are directed at women and girls has begun to receive increased attention from news media, academia and law enforcement nowadays. Judging, trolling, threatening women online have become common these days.

With the advancement of technology, life has indeed become more comfortable but it has also led to more cyber related crimes. Internet has become such an indispensable part of human life such that today even emotions are exchanged online. Spaces like Google, Facebook, and Twitter etc. have their own security standards. But, the privacy options which are often considered as safe, are they really true? Do they work?

Women are being subject to online threats and internet harassment. It has become easy to hack any data and retrieve anyone’s information.

Women are being subject to online threats and internet harassment. It has become easy to hack any data and retrieve anyone’s information. Stalking and trolling are more prevalent among females than males. For instance, Priya Prakash Varrier, a recent popular star on social media was subject to threats online because the Islam followers believed that she was degrading the image of women as portrayed in Islam.  Another example that can be cited is that of Gurmehar Kaur, who was trolled for expressing her views.

Internet is definitely a boon as it provides a new way to channelize life, but the safety issues that come attached to it cannot be ignored.

To conclude, Internet is definitely a boon as it provides a new way to channelize life, but the safety issues that come attached to it cannot be ignored. Women safety, especially when it comes to doctoring pictures and leaking private information, is one of the biggest concerns that need to be taken into consideration. Security standards need to be raised by all online media portals so that data stealth can be minimized. This would ensure better safety for women online.

Neha Agarwal is a student of Satyawati College, New Delhi and this effort is a part of Google India and SheThePeople initiative Digital Trust Dialogues across colleges in India.