close Exit Site If you are in crisis, please contact the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline via phone (1-800-799-SAFE), chat (TheHotline.org), or text (START to 88788), or contact 911 if it is safe to do so. Click EXIT SITE to leave this website immediately. If your device is monitored, consider clearing your browser history after visiting this website.
Donate Now Exit Site
Two women talking on their cellphones
Action Alert

When funding is delayed, programs are left without the resources needed to operate — put [Read More]

Take Action

Technology Safety Starts With You

July 6, 2016

Violence against women comes in many forms. In this digital age, technology is an ever-evolving tool being misused as a tactic to perpetuate harassment, stalking, and abuse. As we strive to end abuse and inequality, addressing technology safety is critical. This requires:

  • Harnessing the power of technology to raise awareness and get people engaged.
  • Making online spaces safer and more accessible.
  • Shifting cultural norms regarding people’s behavior towards others when using technology.
  • Empowering women to take control of their technology.

Women deserve to be free of harassment and abuse in every aspect of their lives, including their use of and access to technology.

Infographic_CS-quote_Safety-Net-online-Tech-Safety

Here is what you can do to increase technology safety:

  • Ask for consent before you share photos or videos of someone else through social media. People have different privacy preferences, and some are based on their safety needs.
  • If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it at all. This includes via social media, text messaging, Snapchat, or whatever technology communication tool is your favorite at the moment.
  • Increase your privacy and security by using available settings within your social media and devices. Teach others how they can enhance their own technology privacy and security, too. Learn more in Technology Safety & Privacy: A Toolkit for Survivors.
  • Raise your voice by using social media to engage and create social change. Follow NNEDV and other great organizations to raise awareness on important issues for women.
  • Advocate for better laws, policies, and practices. Decisions are being made every day that impact your technology privacy (and therefore your safety).

The Safety Net Project at the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) has been working on the intersection of technology and violence against women for more than 15 years. For more information about Safety Net, technology safety issues, and available resources, visit TechSafety.org and NNEDV.org/SafetyNet.