Digital abuse happens when someone uses devices or apps to scare, watch, or control you. They might track where you go, check your private texts, run your social media, or use tech to keep you stuck.
This is a newer form of abuse. But it's just as real. Just as damaging. Just as controlling.
Digital abuse is the use of technology to intimidate, control, monitor, or harass you. It's tracking your location. Reading your messages. Controlling your social media. Using technology to keep you trapped.
Monitoring Your Devices
Checking your phone. Reading your texts. Monitoring your calls. Going through your browsing history. Demanding access to your passwords.
Tracking Your Location
Using apps to track where you are. Using GPS to monitor your movements. Demanding to know where you are at all times.
Controlling Your Accounts
Accessing your social media accounts. Posting as you. Changing your passwords. Locking you out of your own accounts.
Harassment
Sending threatening messages. Posting embarrassing things about you. Using technology to humiliate or intimidate you. Threatening to send intimate photos.
Surveillance
Using cameras or recording devices to monitor you. Recording your conversations. Taking photos or videos without your consent. Using them to control you.
Digital abuse strips you of privacy. Of autonomy. Of safety. You feel like you're being watched. You feel like you have no space. You feel like you're constantly under surveillance.
It also creates evidence. Photos. Messages. Recordings. Evidence that can be used against you. Evidence that can be shared. Evidence that can destroy your reputation, your career, your relationships.
Change your passwords. Change all your passwords. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
Enable two factor authentication. This makes it harder for her to access your accounts.
Check your devices for tracking apps. Look for apps you don't recognize. Check your location settings. See what's sharing your location.
Use private browsing. Use private browsing modes. Clear your history. Use encrypted messaging apps.
Document everything. Screenshots of threatening messages. Photos of surveillance devices. Records of harassment. Use the Abuse Log.
Get legal help. Digital abuse can be illegal. Stalking, harassment, and unauthorized surveillance are crimes. Document everything and consider reporting it.
Digital abuse is not just technology. It's control. And control is abuse.
