The Link Between Misogyny, Gendered Norms, and Tech-Enabled Abuse
Gender based violence does not begin with technology, but technology has become one of the easiest tools for it to grow. Misogyny, entitlement and harmful gendered beliefs shape how abusers use digital platforms, devices and online spaces to control, shame or silence women and people of marginalised genders.
To tackle cyber abuse effectively, we cannot focus only on the technology. We also need to challenge the attitudes and norms that fuel the harm. At The Cyber Helpline, we see every day how online abuse connects to cultural expectations about gender and power, and how vital it is to confront these issues head on.
Why gendered norms matter in tech enabled abuse
Tech abuse does not happen in a vacuum. It grows out of beliefs that:
Women should be monitored or controlled.
Others are entitled to your passwords, devices or private messages.
Anger or humiliation is an acceptable response to rejection.
Women’s reputations are at risk for attacks.
Objectifying or sexualising women online is normal.
Mocking, minimising or dismissing gender based harm is harmless.
These beliefs show up in digital spaces every day. They are reinforced through online harassment, misogynistic content, viral trends that encourage humiliation and forums where abusive behaviours are normalised. Technology simply makes these attitudes louder, faster and harder to escape.
When survivors come to us, the cyber element is often only one part of the harm. Behind the hacked account, fake profile, intimate image threat or constant messaging sits a mindset rooted in misogyny and entitlement.
How misogyny shapes online abuse
Misogynistic attitudes fuel cyber abuse in several ways:
Punishment for independence. When women leave relationships or set boundaries, abusers may use digital tools to reassert control. This can include stalking, hacking or impersonation.
Sexualised threats and image based abuse. Many survivors tell us they were targeted with the belief that their sexuality or reputation can be used against them. Image based abuse thrives on gendered double standards.
Silencing and intimidation. Women who speak out online often face organised harassment that aims to make them withdraw from public life. Misogynistic online cultures encourage this behaviour.
Normalising surveillance. The idea that men are entitled to check a partner’s phone or accounts is still common, even though it is a form of control.
How The Cyber Helpline helps challenge these attitudes
Our work is not only about fixing technical problems. It is also about helping survivors recognise the harmful beliefs behind the abuse and supporting them in reclaiming their autonomy.
Here is how we do that.
We validate survivors’ experiences. Many survivors have been told they are overreacting or imagining the abuse. We let them know their instincts are valid, and we recognise the gendered dynamics at play.
We explain patterns of tech enabled control. Understanding that abuse is rooted in power and gender norms helps survivors make sense of what is happening and reduces self blame.
We support survivors to rebuild digital confidence. Misogynistic abuse aims to shame or silence. We help survivors regain digital independence and feel safe using technology again.
We work with gender based violence organisations to create stronger responses. By partnering with domestic abuse services, we ensure the digital side of abuse is seen as part of a wider pattern of gender based control.
We collect insights to push for broader change. When we see patterns of misogynistic online behaviour emerging, we feed that information into national conversations, research and policy work. This helps challenge harmful norms at scale.
Building a safer digital world requires cultural change
Ending tech enabled abuse is not just about securing accounts or updating security settings. Those steps matter, but they are not the full picture. We must address the deeper beliefs that make this abuse possible.
At The Cyber Helpline, we see how gendered norms and misogyny fuel digital harm. We also see how much strength survivors show when they are supported to reclaim control. By challenging harmful attitudes, educating others and promoting healthy digital behaviour, we can help create online spaces that are not shaped by misogyny, but by respect and equality.