Protecting your daughter from deepfakes and online abuse

But this isn't the only type of online abuse women face. 

According to the same survey, one in four women in the U.S. say they've experienced online abuse, including cyberbullying, doxxing, sexual harassment, trolling and AI deepfakes. And young women between the ages of 18 and 34 appear to experience much higher rates of online abuse than older generations.

If you are concerned about this, and you should be, there are several steps you can take to protect your female loved ones from online abuse and empower them to navigate the digital world safely.

We live in a world where people constantly share thoughts, pictures and videos. Telling a 22-year-old to stop posting online altogether probably won't get you far, but encouraging them to limit who can see their information is a reasonable compromise. Here are some things you can discuss:

In the survey exploring the experiences of women in the U.S. with online abuse, 65% of respondents said they've been negatively affected by having their personal information online. Why? Because online bullies, stalkers and scammers use publicly available information to target victims. But women can reduce the risk of online abuse by removing personal data from the internet:

Encourage them to engage in offline hobbies and social activities. This can help reduce screen time and lessen the impact of potential online negativity. 

Create a judgment-free environment where they feel comfortable discussing their online experiences, both positive and negative. This open dialogue can help you identify potential issues early on.

With all the clicking young women do online, it's crucial to protect their devices from malware, viruses and other cyber threats. Strong antivirus software acts as a digital shield, safeguarding against potential infections that could compromise personal data or device security.

Online abuse is a serious issue that disproportionately affects young women. By taking proactive steps to educate, protect and empower the women in our lives, we can create a safer digital environment for them. Let's work together to foster a culture of online safety, ensuring that young women can thrive online without fear of harassment and abuse. Remember, a safer internet for women means a safer internet for everyone.

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