Incidents of cyberflashing are turning the online world into a nightmare, leaving victims feeling violated and underscoring the need for tougher safeguards and support systems. — Image by cookie_studio on Freepik
What starts as an innocent online chat can quickly turn distressing, as some individuals find themselves victims of cyberflashing, where unsolicited obscene images or videos, often exposing genitals, are sent without warning or consent.
The term cyberflashing was first coined in 2015 after a case in the United Kingdom where a woman received an unsolicited image of a penis via AirDrop, a feature on Apple iPhones that allows users to send files to nearby devices.
Since then, the term has been expanded to include all forms of unsolicited explicit images sent through digital means.
Predators and online platforms
The impact of cyberflashing on victims can be devastating, with many reporting feelings of fear, anxiety and vulnerability.
A university student, who only wanted to be known as Adiba, faced multiple instances of cyberflashing on social media and messaging platforms. One notable incident occurred on Snapchat, a messaging app centred around sharing photos.
“We would share photos of our daily lives every day. Once, a stranger sent a friend request to my Snapchat, and I approved it,” says the 24-year-old.
As the acquaintanceship progressed, Adiba noticed a shift in the conversation’s tone, veering towards more uncomfortable and sexually explicit topics. The perpetrator, who turned out to be a fellow student at her university, began sending her unsolicited shirtless photos and explicit images.
“It became clear that his intentions were not innocent. He even admitted to watching me during my jogging sessions at the campus stadium and expressed his weird attraction towards me in my sports attire,” she says.
Adiba took immediate measures to address the issue, confiding in her friends who urged her to report the incident to the university’s security department, which she did.
According to Thalia Bondoc, the head of community at the Malaysian chapter of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Women in Tech, such incidents have become a widespread issue across various online platforms, including social media, messaging apps and dating sites.
According to Thalia, the impact of online harassment incidents can have a cascading effect on women in digital spaces, and even extend to the real world as well. — Thalia Bondoc
“The anonymity and ease of access provided by these digital spaces often embolden perpetrators to send unsolicited obscene photos or videos without fear of immediate repercussions.
“Younger women, teenagers, and those who are highly active on social media platforms tend to be more vulnerable to cyberflashing.
“This vulnerability is often due to their increased online presence and the targeting of younger demographics by perpetrators who exploit the naivety and inexperience of these users,” she says.
This is a perspective shared by Vinorra Shaker, the associate head of the School of Psychology at the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU), who says that women and girls are disproportionately targeted for cyberflashing and online harassment when compared to men.
She says that those most at risk are women with a strong online presence, such as influencers or those using dating apps, or who are working in male-dominated fields or industries, such as technology, gaming or politics.
In Adiba’s experience, it is common for such predators to join public groups on messaging apps like Telegram in search of targets before inundating them with unsolicited texts or inappropriate images.
Taking its toll
Another university student, who preferred to be known only as Zeeya, also experienced a cyberflashing incident perpetrated by someone she considered a good friend.
“I thought we were close friends, but he misinterpreted my friendliness,” Zeeya recalls. “We chatted a lot online. I thought we were having a good time, but over time, he showed his true colours and sexually harassed me.”
The incident on WhatsApp and Instagram had a significant impact, leaving her feeling insecure.
The 20-year-old’s experience was also compounded by the reaction of her then-boyfriend, who thought that she was encouraging the perpetrator to send nude photos and blamed her for the incident, she says.
“I began to doubt myself, wondering if I somehow invited this behaviour by how I look or dress. It made me question my self-worth too,” she adds.
In response, she cut ties with the perpetrator and made herself less visible online by setting her social media accounts to private.
However, Zeeya chose not to report the incident to the authorities, believing that the police would not act on the matter even if a report were lodged. Instead, she reported the account on Instagram and confided in her friends.
Such thoughts are not uncommon among victims, according to Vinorra, especially with how prevalent an issue this has become in online spaces.
“Many individuals, particularly women, experience cyber harassment, which can include cyberflashing, but it often goes unreported due to feelings of embarrassment, shame, or the belief that nothing can be done about it.
“Sometimes there is even a lack of awareness that it’s harassment. This makes it difficult to gauge the true scope of the problem,” she says.
Bondoc says these incidents can have a cascading effect on women in digital spaces, which can even extend to the real world as well.
“There is a troubling trend where initial acts of cyberflashing can escalate into more severe online abuse or even offline harassment.
“Perpetrators who begin with sending unsolicited images may feel emboldened to pursue further harassment, stalking or threats, increasing the risk of harm to victims,” she says.
Bondoc further says that fear of being subjected to acts of cyberflashing can lead to women restricting their online presence and visibility, like what Zeeya has done by making her social media accounts private.
“This fear undermines their ability to express themselves freely, network, and engage in opportunities that the digital world offers.
“Cyberflashing is a form of online harassment that reinforces misogynistic attitudes and contributes to a hostile digital environment for women.
“It perpetuates a culture where women’s autonomy and consent are disregarded, discouraging them from fully participating in online communities and eroding their confidence in digital spaces,” she adds.
Concerns over falling prey to such predators, Vinorra says, include victims developing feelings of hypervigilance.
Vinorra says that cyber harassment, including cyberflashing, often goes underreported due to feelings of embarrassment, shame, or the belief that nothing can be done about it. — APU
“The constant threat of harassment or violation of privacy can lead to symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological issues. Some women may choose to limit their online presence altogether as a means of self-protection,” she says.
When cyberflashing goes unaddressed or is met with indifference, Vinorra says it sends a message that online harassment is acceptable or even inevitable.
“Over time, the fear of cyberflashing may become normalised, with women accepting online harassment as an unavoidable aspect of digital life. This normalisation perpetuates a culture of silence and impunity surrounding online abuse and harassment,” she says.
Another victim, who requested to be known as Anis, says that she encountered a predator on Tinder, a popular dating app.
The 27-year-old, who runs her own cafe, had exchanged Instagram handles with the perpetrator, a common practice on dating apps to move conversations onto a more familiar platform for chatting.
“As time went by, the conversation became more and more sexual until he asked me if I wanted to see a photo of his private parts.
“Even though I declined, he kept on sending me inappropriate pictures on Instagram casually, hoping that I would entertain him,” she adds.
Alarming statistics
Vinorra says that these cases can have a profound effect on victims, citing studies on the effects of online harassment and sexual violence, which include cyberflashing.
One study from the Pew Research Center found that 21% of women aged between 18 and 29 report experiencing sexual harassment online, which includes receiving explicit images without consent.
It also highlighted the emotional impact, with 55% of victims stating that it had caused them significant distress.
A separate study from the anti-bullying charity Ditch the Label found that 54% of female respondents reported receiving unwanted explicit images online, highlighting feelings of increased anxiety, depression and vulnerability among victims. The study surveyed over 10,000 youths aged 12 to 20.
“These studies provide insights into the profound and lasting effects of such experiences on individuals’ mental health and well-being.
“Due to the violation of privacy and potential for trauma, cyberflashing can be expected to have similar long-term effects as cyber harassment in general.
“While these studies may not focus exclusively on cyberflashing, they underscore the significant and enduring psychological impacts of online harassment and sexual violence on women and individuals of all genders, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms, and issues with trust and self-esteem,” she says.
According to Vinorra, exposure to unsolicited sexual content can feel like a violation of a person’s personal space and safety.
“This can lead to feelings of anxiety, fear, and vulnerability. The sudden and unexpected nature of cyberflashing can be shocking and cause emotional distress. You might experience symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, or difficulty concentrating.
“Cyberflashing can erode trust in online spaces and make victims hesitant to engage with others online. Coping with the aftermath of cyberflashing can lead to social withdrawal and isolation.
“Victims may feel reluctant to discuss their experiences with others, fearing judgement or disbelief. This social disconnection can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and alienation.
“Victims may also blame themselves for the incident or feel like they are somehow responsible.
“This could lead to low self-esteem and body image issues. The severity of the impact depends on various factors, including the victim’s individual history, support system, and the nature of the content received,” she says.
Digital deterrence
To combat cyberflashing, some social media platforms have implemented chat nudity filters. For instance, dating service Bumble has had such a filter in place since 2019, while Facebook owner Meta added one to Instagram in April this year.
Adiba hopes that such measures are expanded, calling for other apps and social media platforms to provide stricter controls to filter out explicit content.
She is also urging women to practise caution when interacting with strangers online and emphasises the importance of promptly reporting suspicious activities.
“Immediately remove or report the account if you suspect something strange,” she advises, recommending that others limit revealing personal details, whereabouts, and daily routines.
Vinorra says there is a growing need to address online harassment in Malaysia, including cyberflashing, and that further work must be done.
“To the best of my knowledge and understanding, Malaysia does not have specific laws or policies that directly address cyberflashing. However, existing legislation (see accompanying story) may cover certain aspects of cyberflashing, depending on the circumstances.
“For example, provisions in the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 prohibit the transmission of offensive content and improper use of network facilities, and certain sections in the Penal Code related to public indecency and outrage of modesty can be used for severe cases,” she says.
She emphasises that addressing the issue of cyberflashing requires a multifaceted approach.
This includes legislation to explicitly define and prohibit cyberflashing, education on cyberflashing and online harassment, enhanced reporting mechanisms, support services for victims such as counselling, and collaboration with platforms to implement preventative measures.
“By addressing these gaps and implementing comprehensive strategies to combat cyberflashing and online harassment, Malaysia can work towards creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces for all individuals, especially girls and women,” Vinorra says.
