Gender, Mobile, and Mobile Internet| Understanding the Darker Side of ICTs: Gender, Sexual Harassment, and Mobile Devices in Pakistan

Abstract

Much research and practice on gender and digital technologies focus on the potential of ICTs to empower women positively. However, ICTs also have negative impacts on women as well as men. This article explores such implications
in the context of mobile device use in Pakistan. While digital harassment is commonplace globally, its extent in Pakistan is interesting because of the country’s strong normative values and the complexity of the intersection of patriarchy,
religion, and culture. We report on an online survey that examines the inºuence of personal characteristics on perceptions and experiences of sexual harassment through mobile devices. We conclude that some conventional stereotypes
may be misleading.