The Role of Technology in Modern day Abuse by Iyanuoluwa Adekala

Technology is rapidly evolving, impacting every aspect of our lives across all age groups, from the widespread use of gadgets to the integration of artificial intelligence and various applications. While these advancements bring numerous benefits, they also have a darker side.

In the context of abuse, technology has increasingly been misused, playing a significant negative role in enabling and perpetuating various forms of abuse.

Below are roles of technology in modern day abuse:

Cyber stalking and harassment:

Abusers make use of technology to monitor victims online presence and activities on victims social media accounts, abusers also stalk victim using GPS to track their location and makes it difficult for them to live a comfortable life.

Victims of cyber stalking and harassment often live in fear because they have this consciousness that they are being watched by God knows who.

Abusers also harass their victims by bombarding them with calls and messages often anonymously.

Cyber bullying and social media manipulation:

I have seen cases where netizens abuse their victims using the comment section of the social media apps, reason why many people turn off their comment section.

In most part of the world, we have seen and heard of how netizens make harsh comments, hate comment and threatening comments in order to bring down an individual confidence and make them depressed. While some of this abusers may not be aware of the pain they are inflicting on the victims, other are very intentional in ensuring that the victims feel depressed to the point of committing suicide.

Restricting Access to Technology: 

Abusers may take away or restrict access to phones, computers, or the internet to isolate the victim and prevent them from seeking help. Abusers can sabotage a victim’s online presence or work by deleting important emails, documents, or disrupting access to essential services.

Digital Grooming: 

Abusers use online platforms to build trust with vulnerable individuals (especially minors) to exploit them sexually or emotionally.

Also, through chats, messaging apps, or online forums, abusers can manipulate and control victims by isolating them from real-world support.

However, there are ways to curb these negative effects of technology in modern day abuse.

Firstly, creating awareness of the various ways in which technology can be abused so as to avoid people falling victim, parents should monitor their ward online activities and ensure that it is abuse free, also parents should let their child know what to do if incase they experience cyber bullying or emotional cyber abuse.

Secondly, a system should be put in place to indicate unapproved site that is potential abusers, there should be an indicator so netizens can recognise such site and would avoid making use of them.

Also note that there are organizations that have been established to punish abusers and make them powerless over victims, these organizations also play a major role in ensuring that measures put in place are adhered to.