For women, it can be tough to find safe spaces online. Lots of women turn to the internet to find places where they talk to other women about their problems, get life advice, and simply share their experiences with people who can relate. Online groups can be especially important for women who live in restrictive environments or areas where there are few options for offline support.
However, although the internet can be a lifeline for many women in difficult situations, it can also be a hostile place. Lots of women face harassment online. Some women are even targeted offline by men who get their address or contact information from digital spaces. If you’re looking for a safe online space, here are a few tips.
Find Secure Spaces
First, it never hurts to learn a little bit about the cybersecurity protections of any given space. For example, maybe you’re about to download an app so that you can join a particular message board.
Find out if they share any of your data, and if so, who it is shared with. You may also want to find out if the app has been affected by any security breaches. If you have security concerns about a particular online space, it’s best not to participate.
Look for Moderated Spaces
An online space that lacks any form of moderation can be dangerous for women. If you’re thinking about signing up to post on a forum or joining a group on social media, make sure that the group has active moderators.
Without moderation, it’s all too easy for people with nefarious intentions to harass group members. Moderators will take care to remove malicious comments to ensure the space is welcoming.
Research Hate Speech Policies
Just because a particular group is moderated does not mean that you will necessarily feel comfortable with their specific moderation policies. If you can’t find the group’s moderation policies, or more specifically, their policies regarding hate speech, you may want to reach out to one of the moderators and ask.
What if the group has very loose moderation policies, or the moderator does not respond to you? It might be a sign that this group is not necessarily going to be a safe place for you.
Seek Out Private Groups
Perhaps you’ve come across a group dedicated to women who are facing a problem that is currently affecting your life. However, the group is public. Anyone will be able to see the information that you’ve posted. They could screenshot the comments you’ve shared and post them elsewhere.
Perhaps they can even directly reply to you or send you rude messages. While there are lots of interesting public groups online, it’s often best to avoid posting any personal information in such groups. A private group that you need to request to join will likely be much more secure.
Online Platforms for Offline Groups
Not all online groups have in-person equivalents. But sometimes, the best way to find a suitable online group for connecting with other women is by seeking out in-person groups that also keep in touch online! That way, you’ll never have to guess whether you’re truly safe and welcomed in a group.
For example, if you join a local social club, they might have an active group chat that you could join as well to stay in touch if you miss events. This approach also allows you to make local friends offline!
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Are you a woman looking for a safe space to express yourself? Women’s counseling can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.