Are You Being Cyberbullied?
Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka|April 2018

If you’ve grown up as a woman in Sri Lanka, chances are you’ve dealt with some form of cyber bullying. Stolen photos, fake social media accounts, harassing messages, even the ever-cringey d!ck pic. The numbers back this up - approximately 90% of Sri Lankan students are victims of cyberbullying*. So, what preventive measures can you take when online?

Shihaam Hassanali
Are You Being Cyberbullied?

In a nutshell, cyberbullying involves the use of electronic communication to intimidate or threaten. Commonly, individuals are cyberbullied on social media (think: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat), SMS, instant messages and email. It’s also considered a component of violence against women. With the increase in social media platforms and digital forums, any content shared by anyone (comments, photos, posts) can often be viewed by strangers as well as friends or family, leaving many women subject to attack.

Seshani Cooray, 20, and Amaya Suriyapperuma, 21, were two such young women who came under attack after the ASUS Lanka Comic Con 2017. They both cosplayed Wonder Woman and upon posting a picture online received massive backlash for their outfits. They were pictured in several memes that circulated throughout local Facebook pages designed solely to mock and insult the girls. The whole situation left both of them saddened and shaken. Seshani shared, “I was really distressed by how people objectified our bodies and body shamed us. They compared our bodies to each other which only served to make us feel even more vulnerable.”

How Do You Deal?

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COSMOPOLITAN SRI LANKAView all
Letting go of fear
Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

Letting go of fear

Oozing confidence, Shalindri Malawana learned a long time ago how to take on anything life thrust at her.

time-read
3 mins  |
April-June 2020
Conservation and care
Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

Conservation and care

Savera Weerasinghe’s career, from a non-profit to the manufacturing industry to sustainability, has always had a single common theme: start small, think big.

time-read
3 mins  |
April-June 2020
A woman with a cause
Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

A woman with a cause

Shiandra Gooneratne is in a bat t le against an age-old enemy and plans to make a difference

time-read
3 mins  |
April-June 2020
Telling stories making space
Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

Telling stories making space

Nabeela Yaseen created a platform for women and girls to feel safe, seen, and supported. She never expected just how many of them would need it.

time-read
3 mins  |
April-June 2020
Saving the environment
Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

Saving the environment

Anoka Abeyrathne, a conservationist and social entrepreneur, is only just getting started

time-read
4 mins  |
April-June 2020
Doing her own thing
Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

Doing her own thing

Shifani Reffai has done a lot of different things. But she’s done them all her way.

time-read
3 mins  |
April-June 2020
Dance etched  in her veins
Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

Dance etched in her veins

Thajithangani “Thaji” Dias lives and breathes dance

time-read
3 mins  |
April-June 2020
Changing mindsets
Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

Changing mindsets

Randhula De Silva, CEO of Hatch and Director of GIZ, is a disrupter at her core. And she’s just get ting started.

time-read
4 mins  |
April-June 2020
A guide to making it big in your career
Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

A guide to making it big in your career

It 's in the details

time-read
4 mins  |
April-June 2020
How To Watch A Movie Alone And Have The Best Time Ever
Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka

How To Watch A Movie Alone And Have The Best Time Ever

Movie marathon, anyone? No? Cool, I‘ll go solo!

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2020