A normal day of uploading and commenting for millions across the world but to Hina it triggered her worst nightmare. A simple message request turned her life upside down. A well read and educated nineteen year old Hina had barely learnt to use the infamous XYZ application. It was fun and informative until she reached a point where she noticed patterns of people connecting with her based on how much she posted about her personal thoughts and pictures rather than professional data.

Data indicates that platforms intended for careers are not immune to personal advances. A prominent study by Passport- Photo Online (2023) focused on LinkedIn, often considered the “gold standard” for professional networking reflects:

91% of female LinkedIn users have received romantic advances or inappropriate messages at least once. 31% of these messages were explicit proposals for romantic or sexual encounters and intimate matters.

Hina recollects that getting into social media back then was like walking into a trap she didn’t know existed. “People are just relentless. They’d ask me for pictures or demand a meet up and if I didn’t answer they’d threaten to find my address and ruin my life.”

When you are that young those threats feel like literal........

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