Harassment in the Feed: A Study of Online Abuse Against Women Creators 

                                                                                                                         -Loveleen Kaur

Abstract

In today’s digital age, women creators are shaping online discourse, influencing culture, and driving communities. However, behind their carefully curated content lies a growing crisis: gender-based harassment. This research paper explores the alarming rise in online abuse faced by women content creators, the role of algorithms in enabling this harassment, and the urgent need for digital platforms and policy frameworks to ensure safer virtual environments for women.

 Introduction 

In today’s hyperconnected world, women content creators are leading conversations, shaping culture, and redefining influence—one post, video, or tweet at a time. But with rising visibility comes a darker truth: the internet isn’t a safe space for them. From influencers and comedians to journalists and educators, women are being subjected to a barrage of online abuse simply for existing in the digital spotlight. This paper uncovers how digital platforms, often powered by opaque algorithms and profit-driven engagement models, are not just failing to protect women creators—they're amplifying the abuse. By examining high-profile cases from 2024–2025 and data from 2020 and emerging patterns in platform behavior, we aim to shed light on how online harassment is evolving—and what urgent interventions are needed to make the internet safer for women’s voices.

Scope and Methodology 

This study is based on 

● Analysis of documented harassment cases involving women creators in South Asia. 

● Review of reputable news outlets and scholarly sources from the past year. 

● Examination of trends in cyberbullying data from Indian law enforcement and digital rights organizations. 

The Scale of Online Harassment 

Data from National Crime Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, India 

● Highest number of total cybercrime recorded in Karnataka with a total of 3904 cases as per 2022. 

● Odisha led among states for IT Act violations against women in 2022 with 542 cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh (457) and Karnataka (235). 

● An estimated 5.2 % of cybercrimes in 2022 were related to sexual exploitation—a category directly impacting women online. 

Data from Law Enforcement 

● In Uttar Pradesh alone, 66,854 cyberbullying cases were reported in 2024—over 180 per day—with two-thirds filed by young women aged 16–25. 

● In Nagpur, Maharashtra’s cybercrime cell recorded 759 online harassment cases targeting women and children in December 2024. 

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Highlights 

● 4.45 lakh crimes against women were reported in 2022—equivalent to about 51 cases every hour, marking a 4 % increase from 2021 (4.28 lakh). 

● Under the cybercrime category, 65,893 cases were reported in 2022, up 24.4 % from 52,974 in 2021 

● 64.8 % of these were fraud (42,710 cases), 

● 5.5 % extortion (3,648 cases), 

● 5.2 % involved sexual exploitation (3,434 cases) 

These statistics set a concerning baseline: millions of women are vulnerable to online abuse, yet disclosure, accountability, and legal follow-through remain inadequate. This underscores the urgency of your recommendations for better platform moderation, stronger laws, and systemic support for women creators. 

Recent High Profile Cases 

Murder of Pakistani TikToker Sana Yousaf 

On June 2, 2025, 17-year-old Sana Yousaf was fatally shot—allegedly by a cousin—reportedly following online backlash and rejection. Her death highlights the deadly real-world consequences of digital hate. 

Threats to Deepika Luthra (Amritsar) 

In June 2025, Ludhiana resident Jaspreet Singh was arrested for issuing threats to influencer Deepika Luthra after online “moral policing” of her content. The timing closely followed the murder of Bathinda influencer Kanchan Kumari (“Kamal Kaur”) and threats to others. 

Kerala woman dies by suicide over cyber bullying by ex-boyfriend 

Online threats and blackmailing are a common concern nowadays which ultimately led to suicides. This case of kerala women died by suicide folloeing alleged cyber bullying by her ex boyfriend. These cases of “cyberbullying” and “online harassment” are common nowadays but at the same time a matter of great concern. 

Journalist Barkha Dutt’s Experience 

Barkha dutt has been a frequent target of online abuse and harassment, including misogynistic and threatening messages. 

Rape & Death threats on Clubhouse

In 2021 and 2024–25, women journalists Bhavini and Rekha reported rape threats and trolling within Clubhouse discussions on Indian politics. Similarly, in Pune, a TikTok livestream host faced death and rape threats on Clubhouse, yet platform accountability remained lacking . 

Technology as a Catalyst 

Generative AIs and Deepfakes 

AI-generated deep fake pornographic images of celebrities—like Taylor Swift—went viral in 2024, sometimes receiving tens of millions of views before removal. India also saw deep fake porn targeting a journalist, creating explicit content that remained online for months due to platform delays 

Hate campaigns and Auction apps 

India continues to wrestle with large-scale misogynistic campaigns like Sulli Deals (2021) and Bulli Bai (2022), which “auctioned” Muslim women’s photos on GitHub—resulting in arrests only after significant public outcry. 

The Human Toll and Platform Failures 

Online harassment is not just mean comments—it can deeply affect a woman’s mental health and sense of safety. For women content creators, being visible online often means facing threats, abuse, and constant judgment. In 2022, India recorded over 3,400 cybercrime cases related to sexual exploitation, and many more go unreported. A study showed that 1 in 3 women creators thought about quitting because of constant trolling and hate. Platforms often fail to protect them—reporting systems are slow, and harmful content in regional languages is often ignored. Algorithms can even reduce the reach of women who speak out about these issues, making them feel punished for raising their voice. For creators from Dalit, Muslim, LGBTQ+, or other marginalized backgrounds, the abuse is often more violent and hateful. As Indian YouTuber Kusha Kapila said after facing online hate, “Being a woman on the internet is like being constantly watched, judged, and punished—for simply existing.” These are not one-off incidents—they’re part of a larger problem that needs urgent attention from platforms, law enforcement, and society. 

Now it's the time that cyberbullying has been seen as equivalent to cyberviolence. 

Recommendations: What needs to Change 

To make the internet a safer space and inclusive for women content creators, change is needed at multiple levels—platforms, law enforcement, policy, and society. Here are key recommendations: 

For social media platforms 

Social media companies must strengthen content moderation in Indian languages to detect abuse more accurately. Reporting systems need to be faster, easier to use, and more transparent. Algorithms should not penalize women for speaking out on social issues. Platforms should offer safety dashboards for creators to manage harmful content, and enforce stricter penalties for repeat offenders, including long-term bans and legal referrals 

For Policymakers and Law enforcement 

Existing cyber laws must be better implemented, with specialized training for police officers to handle online abuse cases effectively and sensitively. Fast-track mechanisms should be introduced for digital harassment cases, and the law must clearly criminalize deepfakes and non-consensual content. Platforms should also be required to publish regular transparency reports on abuse and content moderation outcomes. 

For the Creator Community and Civil Society 

Women creators need access to digital safety education—especially those in smaller towns and underrepresented groups. Peer support networks and safe spaces can help creators deal with mental health challenges and access legal support. Civil society and advocacy groups should continue running campaigns to challenge online misogyny and promote respectful digital engagement. 

Conclusion 

Online spaces must be places where women can create, express, and lead without fear. The abuse they face isn’t just a glitch—it’s a warning sign of deeper failures in our systems. It’s time for platforms to act, for laws to protect, and for all of us to speak up. Because when women are silenced online, we lose voices the world urgently needs to hear. At WICCI, we remain committed to advocating for safer digital environments—through research, dialogue, and policy reform. Join us in amplifying this conversation and holding platforms and institutions accountable. 

References 

1. Cyber Crime portal India https://cybercrime.gov.in/ 

2. National Crime Records Bureau https://www.ncrb.gov.in/ 

3. Sana Yousaf Case https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g7v1evrmdo 

4. Bulli Bai Case https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulli_Bai_case 

5. Cyberbullying cases https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/one-case-of-cyberbullying-in-up-i n-every-8-minutes/articleshow/120289739.cms