The rise of digital influencers has transformed the media landscape, ushering in a new era where influence is no longer confined to celebrities or those with traditional power and privilege. Today, anyone with a smartphone and a story to tell can amass significant followers, shaping public opinion and consumer behaviour in unprecedented ways. Platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have become central hubs of these digital revolutions, offering creators direct access to their audiences.
But beneath the curated feeds, brand collaborations, and viral moments lies a darker, often overlooked reality: women influencers in Pakistan are increasingly becoming targets of harassment, facing a torrent of abuse that threatens both their safety and freedom of expression.
Alya Khan, a social media vlogger from Kohat, shared that her career path has led to constant criticism from her community because of her decision to appear on the screen—which is mostly frowned upon from the city she hails from. “I have even received strange and inappropriate comments on my posts,” she shared.
“The hardest moment was, however, when I was shooting a story in a market and a group of men began harassing me, and kept on hooting,” Khan said. Despite the hostility, Khan continues to work, documenting issues faced by the people in her city, and highlighting inspiring stories of various individuals. “Awareness (among her community members) is slowly growing,” she said, adding “if online harassment persists, then I hope the Pakistani law will provide me some protection.”
A 2023 study found that 70% of social media influencers have encountered some form of online harassment, and that people who were harassed were broadly defined as “non-ideal victims”. According to the study, influencers continue to remain exposed through social media comments, polls, direct messages, emails as audiences now have better access to them. While social media engagement is quite beneficial, it does render women susceptible to online harassment and constant criticism.
In June 2025, a 17-year-old influencer Sana Yousaf was shot dead at her house in Islamabad by a man for rejecting his marriage proposal. The case stunned the citizens and many people raised concerns over safety of women influencers.
“When I heard about the tragic murder of my friend Sana Yousaf, I genuinely felt afraid,” said Sana Niaz, an influencer from Islamabad. “She was just like me—a content creator. It made me question whether I should continue working at all,” said Niaz, who is known for her funny videos and light-hearted content.
The fear turned real for her when a stranger threatened to hack her Instagram account. “He didn’t just threaten me—he actually did it,” Niaz recalled. “My account was hacked, and I felt completely helpless.”
A fearful Niaz gathered the courage to inform her family about this. “It wasn’t easy but opening up to them gave me the strength to act,” she shared. With her family’s support, she was even able to file a complaint, followed due process, and successfully recovered her account.
She shared that she even visited the office of the Federal Investigation Agency – which used to investigate cybercrime cases before the formation of the National Cyber Crimes Investigation -Agency – but didn’t receive any response. “Then I started sending emails to Instagram every day, mentioning all the details, including the hacker’s messages and everything that happened. Still, there was no response,” she added. “Finally, my brother’s friend helped me connect directly with Meta’s (Instagram’s parent company) team, and only then was I able to recover my account.”
Niaz accepts that she has become more vigilant about her digital safety since the incident. “The first thing I did was turn on two-step verification on my account. It was really helpful. I learned the hard way, but at least now I know how important these digital safety tools are,” she remarked.
Suffering in silence
Many victims of cyberbullying or harassment don’t report the crimes against them, said Advocate Sidra Sadozai, a human rights defender and expert on cyber laws. “They keep quiet out of embarrassment, fear, or lack of support. Girls are often deterred by social stigma.” She emphasized that communities and schools must actively engage in teaching safe online conduct, reporting mechanisms, and access to mental health support.
She shared that online harassment is a growing issue but the laws in Pakistan does recognise it as a crime. Fundamental safeguards for citizens on digital rights are outlined in the National Cyber Security Policy 2021, and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act in Pakistan 2016, she shared. “The main problem, however, is awareness among the citizens. Parents must remain involved and educate young people, particularly girls, about their rights, so they don’t suffer in silence,” Advocate Sadozai added.
According to the Digital Rights Foundation’s 2023 Annual Report, their Cyber Harassment Helpline received 2,473 complaints that year, with 58.5 percent filed by women. Many involved blackmail, non-consensual content, and targeted harassment.
An officer of the FIA cybercrime wing, now renamed NCCIA, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted that conviction rates remain disturbingly low despite the rising number of complaints.
The official data from the now defunct FIA’s cybercrime wing revealed that between 2020 and 2024, it received 639,000 cybercrime complaints, of which 414,260 were verified, leading to 5,713 court cases, 7,020 arrests, and only 222 convictions. Despite women filing a large share of complaints, conviction rates remain under 0.05 percent.
“The biggest challenge is that victims rarely pursue cases till the end, often withdrawing due to fear or family pressure,” the officer said. Digital evidence also takes time to collect from social media platforms, and by then cases lose strength. According to the officer, laws exist under PECA 2016 to punish blackmail, harassment, and identity theft, but without family support and proper documentation, cases often collapse.
Beyond technical hurdles, deeply ingrained cultural attitudes often discourage women from speaking out. Families frequently dissuade women from filing complaints. Many survivors are met with remarks like, “Why were you online in the first place?” or “What will people say about us?” Such questions shift the blame from harassers to victims, fostering a culture of silence that erodes accountability and leaves perpetrators unchecked.
Impact on Mental Health
The emotional impact of experiencing online harassment is often underestimated, Dr Sobia Khateeb, a psychologist who has worked with several women affected by online GBV, said. “Many women develop anxiety, sleeplessness, and loss of confidence,” she explains. “In severe cases, it leads to depression and social withdrawal, because victims start to fear judgment from their own families and communities.”
She stressed that healing requires open conversation and professional support. “The first step is validation; telling survivors it was not their fault. Families need to listen without blame, and counseling helps women process fear and rebuild self-confidence. Healing from digital harassment is not just about stronger passwords it is about regaining a sense of safety and dignity.”
Explaining the term online harassment, a 2023 research study argued that “it is any intentional behaviour directed towards influencers, irrespective of whether the perpetrator performs the behaviour once or repeatedly.” The study said that an amalgamation of hateful and abusive messages can be similar to the impact of repeated contacts by a single harasser. “The cumulative impact (of such behaviours) can be just as harmful,” it noted.
Zahir Mehmood, a student activist and digital ethics advocate, believes the root problem lies in society’s understanding of digital spaces. If someone has a digital presence, it does not mean they belong to the public, he said. We need to build a culture of consent, respect, and responsibility online.
For women influencers in Pakistan, digital visibility is both a powerful opportunity and a profound vulnerability. Online harassment doesn’t just disrupt their work; it takes a toll on their mental health, personal relationships, and social standing. Experts argue that real safety will only be possible when legal protections, public awareness, family support, and accessible mental health care work together. Ultimately, safety in digital spaces isn’t just about technology—it’s about dignity, rights, and the fundamental freedom to exist online without fear.
The story has been edited by Yasal Munim who works as Senior Manager Programs at Media Matters for Democracy.
