online harassment

Online abuse in India, from trolling to threats, can now lead to police action under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act. While criticism is protected, criminal intimidation, stalking, and sharing private content are serious offences. Victims should preserve evidence and report to authorities, as anonymous accounts are often traceable.

In a significant move against cyber harassment, the Rajasthan High Court has granted bail to a 20-year-old accused of online stalking and child sexual harassment. The court imposed a one-year ban on his social media usage, including platforms like Instagram and Facebook, and strictly prohibited any contact with the victim or her family.

Popular Twitch streamer QTCinderella has announced plans to take legal action against clip accounts that allegedly use her stream content to spread harassment and misleading narratives. Returning online after grieving the loss of her dog Swift, she said she would issue DMCA takedowns against malicious reposts. The move comes amid growing concerns over “clip farming” on social media, where creators’ content is repackaged with misleading context to generate engagement and fuel online hate campaigns.

Shresta Iyer, sister of cricketer Shreyas Iyer, responded to online trolling after Punjab Kings missed the IPL 2026 playoffs. An old celebratory “banter” reel resurfaced, leading to abuse targeting her, her workplace, colleagues, and family. Shresta said the video was harmless fun, not hate, and urged trolls to stop harassing people connected to her personally and professionally.

Responding to TOI readers’ queries, Charu Sinha, DG, Women Safety says police have identified hotspots for eve teasing and stepped up surveillance to make Hyderabad safer for women. She also urges parents to be cautious about children’s online safety and report all forms of harassment

A Kolkata school teacher is enduring six months of relentless online harassment from a former student who has escalated from personal attacks to targeting her family and friends. The accused, Krishnendu Banerjee, uses multiple social media accounts to send abusive messages and threats, despite the teacher's repeated blocking and reporting efforts.

A Uttar Pradesh man's claim of receiving monthly electricity bills as high as ₹30,000, accumulating to ₹3.30 lakh since 2024, has gone viral. He alleges a physical altercation and harassment at an electricity department office when seeking clarification. Online reactions highlight concerns over billing accuracy and public service grievance redressal.

Situation escalated after ‘loan recovery agents’ sent pics of the family members: Police

Actress Bhumi Pednekar condemned a viral video of men harassing a painting, linking it to a dangerous youth mindset and calling for stricter laws. Her stance aligns with growing concerns over women's safety, amplified by recent dowry harassment cases. Kangana Ranaut also urged women towards financial independence, emphasizing self-reliance before marriage.

A Delhi man was arrested by Ahmedabad cybercrime police for creating multiple fake social media accounts and uploading AI-generated morphed obscene images of an Ahmedabad woman and her mother. The accused allegedly resorted to this after the woman rejected his friendship request on Instagram, leading to a campaign of harassment and defamation.

Paris Hilton bravely revealed over 100,000 AI-generated explicit deepfakes of her, none consensual. Drawing parallels to her past privacy violation, she now champions the Defiance Act. This bill aims to empower survivors of non-consensual AI imagery with legal recourse, a cause Hilton passionately supports for her daughter's future safety.

Social media's pervasive influence is reshaping childhood, impacting attention spans, emotional regulation, and self-esteem among Indian youth. Experts and parents highlight concerns over digital addiction, cyberbullying, and the erosion of real-world interactions. While acknowledging its benefits, the article stresses the need for balanced, mindful usage and open communication to navigate this digital landscape.