Online or digital

Online/ digital Abuse The use of technologies such as texting and social networking to bully, harass, stalk or intimidate a partner. Often this behaviour is a form of verbal or emotional abuse perpetrated online.

Some examples of digital abuse are when someone:

• Tells you who you can or can’t be friends with on Facebook and other sites.
• Sends you negative, insulting or threatening emails, Facebook messages, Xeets (formerly known as tweets), direct messages or other messages online.
• Uses sites like Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and others to keep constant tabs on you.
• Posts negative things about you.
• Sends you unwanted, explicit pictures and/or demands you send some in return.
• Pressures you to send explicit video or sexts.
• Steals or insists to be given your passwords.
• Constantly texts you and makes you feel like you can’t be separated from your phone for fear that you will be punished.
• Looks through your phone frequently, checks up on your pictures, texts and outgoing calls.
• Tags you unkindly in pictures on Instagram, Tumblr, etc.