Our recent collaborative research with an international NGO involved a scoping study on cyberbullying among Bangladeshi women. Findings indicate that existing research primarily focuses on cyberbullying prevalence across demographic groups, particularly among school and university students, where links to psychiatric disorders and negative academic and social outcomes have been documented (Uddin & Rahman, 2022; Sheikh et al., 2023). Parallel research explores technological interventions, including the use of machine learning to detect abusive Bengali text (Islam et al., 2023) and the impact of cyberbullying on female entrepreneurs engaged in Facebook-based e-commerce (Obaidullah & Al Zubayer, 2021; Khan, 2023). While these studies underscore the urgency of intervention, gaps remain in understanding the socio-cultural and ecological dimensions of cyberbullying and the effectiveness of existing countermeasures.

Given the damaging effects of cyberbullying on mental health, academic performance, and social well-being, there is a pressing call for stakeholders, educators, and lawmakers in Bangladesh to tackle this escalating issue. The limited research done in this space includes aspects such as the actual status of cyberbullying among women, its ramifications, how it is perceived and experienced, existing intervention strategies, seeking aid from public entities, and methods for managing and coping with cyberbullying issues for women in Bangladesh. Most of the studies highlight the need for awareness building among the broader population, but there is a lack of work to guide us on the embedded causes of cyberbullying and what initiatives have been taken at the country level. 

To further contextualize cyberbullying discourse, we are actively monitoring online news sources and social media platforms such as ‘Prothom Alo’ to track recent incidents of online harassment against women. Our analysis involves examining public discourse through user-generated comments, which frequently exhibit patterns of victim-blaming, misogyny, and normalisation of gender-based digital violence. These findings prompt critical questions: Why do segments of the general public express such hostility towards women in digital spaces? Are these sentiments a mere reflection of broader societal attitudes, or are they amplified by the affordances of online anonymity and lack of accountability? What structural interventions are necessary to dismantle these patterns of digital violence? Understanding these underlying factors is imperative to formulating sustainable strategies to combat cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is a complex interplay of social-ecological and cultural factors

Cyberbullying cannot be understood as an interaction between a bully and a victim only; rather, it is shaped by a combination of individual, familial, societal, and technological factors. Research suggests that one effective way to comprehend bullying in contexts like schools or workplace is to view it as a dynamic interaction between individuals and the various systems they engage with, including their homes, neighbourhoods, communities, and broader society  (Espelage et al., 2013; Swearer & Hymel, 2015). In Bangladesh, the interplay of patriarchal values, social conservatism, and the rapid expansion of digital connectivity necessitates an expanded social-ecological model that incorporates  factors influenced by the use of social media, mobile phones, and other technologies (Patel & Quan-Haase, 2023) and gender-specific dimensions. One crucial aspect in this context is the concept of ‘adaptive preferences’ (Khader, 2011), wherein women internalize systemic discrimination and adjust their expectations accordingly. In Bangladesh, where socio-economically marginalised women often lack decision-making power within their households and communities, cyberbullying further exacerbates their vulnerabilities. The normalisation of digital harassment, coupled with inadequate legal safeguards, results in victims resigning themselves to cyberviolence as an inescapable reality rather than a societal injustice that demands redress. This cycle perpetuates gendered digital oppression and reinforces structural inequities that hinder women’s digital confidence and participation.

Conclusion

Cyberbullying against women in Bangladesh presents a multifaceted social-ecological problem; it is a crisis rooted in deep-seated societal norms and structural inequalities. While existing research sheds light on the prevalence and detrimental effects of cyberbullying, there remains a critical gap in understanding its root causes and guiding national-level initiatives. A holistic approach that considers societal norms, culture, and personal experiences can better address cyberbullying. Prioritising women’s empowerment, cyber safety education, and policy interventions is key to a safer online space. The fight against cyberbullying is not just about protecting women—it is about securing the future of an equitable, safe, and inclusive digital society.

References

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