{"id":13829,"date":"2025-09-19T01:32:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T01:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/19\/how-to-tackle-digital-harassment-sextortion-identity-theft-and-cyberbullying-lifestyle-news\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T01:32:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T01:32:11","slug":"how-to-tackle-digital-harassment-sextortion-identity-theft-and-cyberbullying-lifestyle-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/19\/how-to-tackle-digital-harassment-sextortion-identity-theft-and-cyberbullying-lifestyle-news\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Tackle Digital Harassment, Sextortion, Identity Theft, And Cyberbullying | Lifestyle News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9581200\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">September 18, 2025, 16:31 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9581200\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-1232916313 asubttl-schema\">Online threats like sextortion, cyberbullying, and identity theft are on the rise. Here\u2019s how you can protect your privacy, mental health, and digital safety.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"jsx-c3a4b7af90a1cd78 artsharwrp\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news18.co\/gnps-en-btn\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"jsx-91f4da8d48c13a79 gglebtn bggrn\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"artshare\" class=\"jsx-c3a4b7af90a1cd78 artshare\">\n<div class=\"jsx-c3a4b7af90a1cd78 stickdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-c3a4b7af90a1cd78 deskwrapstkdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-c3a4b7af90a1cd78 fontchange\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/font.svg\" height=\"30px\" width=\"30px\" alt=\"font\" title=\"font\" class=\"jsx-c3a4b7af90a1cd78 lazyload\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-1232916313 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"India, with over 500 million social media users as of 2023, is facing its own digital crisis.\" title=\"India, with over 500 million social media users as of 2023, is facing its own digital crisis.\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-1232916313\"\/><\/p>\n<p>India, with over 500 million social media users as of 2023, is facing its own digital crisis.<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">Digital harassment, sextortion, identity theft, and cyberbullying are rising online threats that can seriously impact mental health, privacy, and safety. It is crucial to stay cautious and aware in today\u2019s hyper-connected world. Here are some immediate steps and insights to help you understand and handle these issues effectively.<\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\">With rapid digital transformation, our personal and professional lives are more connected than ever through the internet and smartphones. While this brings convenience, it also increases the risk of online abuse. Cases of digital harassment, sextortion, identity theft, and cyberbullying are on the rise and demand timely attention. These are forms of online exploitation where technology is misused to harm, threaten, or manipulate others. Common causes include weak online security, lack of awareness, misuse of personal data, or malicious intent. The consequences can be severe, ranging from emotional trauma and financial loss to long-term mental health issues and reputational damage.<\/p>\n<p id=\"2\" class=\"story_para_2\">Kruti Sharma, Corporate Trainer, Leadership Coach, POSH &amp; AML Expert, shares all you need to know:<\/p>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\"><strong>Understanding These Rising Issues<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"4\" class=\"story_para_4\">Digital harassment involves repeated, unwanted online behavior such as threatening messages, stalking, or spreading rumors to distress someone. Often, it is motivated by revenge.<\/p>\n<p id=\"5\" class=\"story_para_5\">Sextortion occurs when private images or videos are used to blackmail victims for money or favours, an increasingly common threat.<\/p>\n<p id=\"6\" class=\"story_para_6\">Identity theft happens when someone steals personal details like Aadhaar, PAN, bank information, or social media credentials to commit fraud.<\/p>\n<p id=\"7\" class=\"story_para_7\">Cyberbullying refers to online trolling, bullying, or targeted harassment, which is most common among teenagers but also affects adults.<\/p>\n<p id=\"8\" class=\"story_para_8\">These problems often stem from oversharing online, weak passwords, phishing scams, fake profiles, or misplaced trust in strangers.<\/p>\n<p id=\"9\" class=\"story_para_9\"><strong>Consequences of These Threats<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"10\" class=\"story_para_10\">Victims often face stress, anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. They may avoid gatherings, feel isolated, and struggle with anger or frustration. Financial losses from fraud or extortion can be devastating, while reputational damage may affect careers, education, and relationships. In severe cases, such abuse can even lead to self-harm or suicidal thoughts.<\/p>\n<h4>Essential Safety Tips<\/h4>\n<p id=\"11\" class=\"story_para_11\"><strong>Protect your privacy<\/strong>: Avoid sharing personal information like phone numbers, addresses, or private photos online.<\/p>\n<p id=\"12\" class=\"story_para_12\"><strong>Secure your accounts<\/strong>: Keep OTPs, PINs, and passwords confidential. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.<\/p>\n<p id=\"13\" class=\"story_para_13\"><strong>Stay cautious on social media<\/strong>: Keep profiles private and avoid adding unknown people.<\/p>\n<p id=\"14\" class=\"story_para_14\"><strong>Report sextortion:<\/strong> If threatened, contact cybercrime authorities immediately instead of suffering in silence. Complaints can be filed at local cybercrime police stations or through the national cybercrime portal.<\/p>\n<p id=\"15\" class=\"story_para_15\"><strong>Seek support<\/strong>: Counseling can help victims process trauma, rebuild confidence, and heal emotionally.<\/p>\n<p id=\"16\" class=\"story_para_16\">Remaining vigilant, educating yourself about online threats, and using technology wisely are vital steps toward safe digital living. By standing up against online abuse and spreading awareness, we can create a safer internet for everyone.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atawrap\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atadetailwrp\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd ataname\"><span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atthumb\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Swati Chaturvedi\" title=\"Swati Chaturvedi\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2023\/11\/swati-chaturvedi-2023-11-311a7f6229417d5d5693180448c9311a-scaled.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=60&amp;height=60\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd attitle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/byline\/swati-chaturvedi-22519.html\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atamail\">Swati Chaturvedi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she&#8217;s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl&#8230;<span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she&#8217;s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl&#8230;<!-- --> <span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-1232916313 artcta\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news18.co\/gnps-en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here<\/a> to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/lifestyle\/health-and-fitness\/\">health<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/topics\/fashion\/\">fashion<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/lifestyle\/travel\/\">travel<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/lifestyle\/food\/\">food<\/a>, wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration and recipes. Also\u00a0Download the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/onelink.to\/eng-article-eop\">News18 App<\/a> to stay updated.<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-1232916313 atbtlink fp\"><span>First Published:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"rs\">\n<p>September 18, 2025, 16:31 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-1232916313 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/lifestyle\/\">lifestyle<\/a>  <span class=\"brdout\"> How To Tackle Digital Harassment, Sextortion, Identity Theft, And Cyberbullying<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f \">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/lifestyle\/how-to-tackle-digital-harassment-sextortion-identity-theft-and-cyberbullying-9581200.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:September 18, 2025, 16:31 IST Online threats like sextortion, cyberbullying, and identity theft are on the rise. Here\u2019s how you can protect your privacy, mental health, and digital safety. India, with over 500 million social media users as of 2023, is facing its own digital crisis. Digital harassment, sextortion, identity theft, and cyberbullying are&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13830,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13829","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13829","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13829"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13829\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13829"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}