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DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Kampala:20261009T080000
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SUMMARY:Annual International Conference on Internet Harassment and Bullying (ICIHB 2026)
DESCRIPTION:Dates: 9th–10th October 2026 \n\n\n\nVenue: RCC-Toronto Downtown \n\n\n\n80 Cooperage St\, Toronto\, Ontario M5A OJ3 \n\n\n\nTheme: Digital Justice: Gender\, Safety and Cyber Security \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUnderstanding Internet Harassment \n\n\n\nHarassment in online spaces has become an increasingly urgent subject of public debate and global concern. Pervasive challenges such as cyberbullying\, cyberstalking\, hate speech\, online sexual harassment\, and the normalization of harmful digital behavior have exposed the breadth\, complexity\, and seriousness of abuse occurring across digital platforms. \n\n\n\nOnline harassment is not confined to any single demographic group. Individuals across all ages\, genders\, professions\, and social identities experience abuse in digital environments. Harassment manifests through hateful language that demeans individuals based on gender\, race\, ethnicity\, sexual identity\, religion\, disability\, or social position. It also includes the spreading of rumors\, impersonation\, threats\, intimidation\, and the non-consensual sharing of private or sensitive information such as personal addresses or intimate images. \n\n\n\nThese behaviors result in multiple forms of harm\, ranging from emotional distress and psychological trauma to reputational damage\, economic insecurity\, and threats to personal safety. Developing a comprehensive and global understanding of internet harassment is critical to creating ethical\, inclusive\, and safer online spaces that respect dignity and human rights. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Digital Reality We Face. \n\n\n\nIn an ideal society\, communication between individuals and communities would be mutual\, respectful\, and grounded in empathy. However\, digital spaces often reflect and amplify existing inequalities\, power imbalances\, and harmful social norms. \n\n\n\nThe rapid expansion of access to internet-enabled devices—particularly smartphones\, tablets\, and social media platforms—has significantly increased online participation across all age groups. While digital connectivity offers many benefits\, it has also created environments where harassment\, abuse\, and violence can occur anonymously\, repeatedly\, and beyond traditional institutional oversight. \n\n\n\nCyberbullying\, cyberstalking\, online sexual harassment\, and hate speech often take place outside physical spaces such as schools or workplaces\, making detection and accountability more difficult. For educators\, employers\, families\, and policymakers\, the challenge lies in addressing behavior that is pervasive yet frequently hidden\, anonymous\, or normalized. \n\n\n\nCyberviolence has intensified globally\, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic\, as more aspects of daily life shifted online. It is often gender-based and disproportionately affects women and girls\, while also impacting men\, professionals\, activists\, and vulnerable populations. Cyberviolence undermines gender equality\, restricts participation in public life\, and violates fundamental human rights. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhy Cyberviolence Cannot Simply Be “Turned Off” \n\n\n\nCyberviolence differs from face-to-face abuse in both scale and impact. Online abuse can occur at any time\, cross geographic boundaries instantly\, and remain accessible indefinitely. Victims may be re-traumatized repeatedly as harmful content\, threats\, or images are shared\, viewed\, or referenced without their consent. \n\n\n\nDigital technologies are increasingly misused by abusive partners\, stalkers\, and perpetrators to monitor\, control\, and intimidate victims. Surveillance tools and location-tracking applications—often marketed for safety or parental monitoring—can be weaponized to invade privacy and restrict autonomy\, particularly for women and girls. \n\n\n\nThe inability to disengage safely from digital spaces can lead to heightened anxiety\, fear\, depression\, and long-term trauma. For many victims\, leaving online platforms is not a realistic option due to work\, education\, family\, or social obligations\, making sustained support and systemic solutions essential. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe Cannot Ignore Hate and Cyberviolence \n\n\n\nReducing online hate is a critical component of addressing broader patterns of gender-based violence and social inequality. Exposure to hateful narratives that portray women or marginalized groups as inferior or undeserving of dignity contributes to real-world discrimination and violence. \n\n\n\nResearch consistently shows that hatred directed at women online increases the risk of physical violence against women offline\, just as racially motivated hate speech correlates with increases in racially motivated violence. These risks are compounded for individuals who experience multiple forms of marginalization\, including Indigenous women\, Black women\, women of colour\, immigrants\, religious minorities\, and persons with disabilities. \n\n\n\nCyberviolence is therefore not only a digital issue but a social\, mental health\, and human rights concern requiring coordinated and intersectional responses. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Conference \n\n\n\nThe Annual International Conference on Internet Harassment and Bullying (ICIHB) brings together experts\, practitioners\, researchers\, policymakers\, and individuals with lived experience to deepen understanding of online harassment and cyberviolence and to explore practical\, ethical\, and policy-based solutions. \n\n\n\nThe conference recognizes that while children and youth are significantly affected\, cyberviolence impacts individuals across the lifespan. Adults\, professionals\, activists\, educators\, and community leaders are increasingly targeted\, often with serious personal and professional consequences. \n\n\n\nICIHB provides a platform for dialogue that acknowledges the realities of underreporting\, fear of retaliation\, and barriers to accessing justice. The conference seeks to elevate voices that are often silenced and to promote survivor-centered\, trauma-informed approaches to prevention and response. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOnline Harassment and Cyberviolence: Key Statistics \n\n\n\nEvidence from Canada and internationally highlights the widespread nature of online abuse: \n\n\n\n\n25% of youth aged 12–17 years report experiencing cyberbullying within a given year.\n\n\n\n25% of young adults aged 12–29 years report experiencing online sexual harassment\, including threats\, unwanted messages\, and harassment via digital platforms.\n\n\n\n52% of individuals report having experienced some form of cyberbullying\, including hate speech and online threats.\n\n\n\n55% report witnessing bullying or harassment on social media\, contributing to the normalization of abusive behavior.\n\n\n\n11% report that private or embarrassing images were taken or shared without consent\, affecting both youth and adults.\n\n\n\n\nThese figures demonstrate that cyberviolence is not isolated or episodic but embedded within everyday digital interactions across age groups and communities. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhy Join Us \n\n\n\nThis conference aims to draw global attention to the growing challenge of internet harassment and cyberviolence. Without meaningful intervention\, these harms will continue to escalate\, with long-term consequences for mental health\, safety\, equality\, and social cohesion. \n\n\n\nParticipants will benefit from: \n\n\n\n\nDeepened understanding of cyberviolence from theoretical\, policy\, and lived-experience perspectives\n\n\n\nEngagement with global case studies and best practices\n\n\n\nOpportunities to build collaborative partnerships and advocacy networks\n\n\n\nDialogue aimed at influencing legislation\, policy reform\, and ethical digital governance\n\n\n\n\nThe conference seeks to contribute to a safer digital future for all\, with particular attention to those most affected by online harm. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWho Should Attend \n\n\n\nThe conference is open to all\, including: \n\n\n\n\nLegislators and policymakers\n\n\n\nSocial activists and human rights advocates\n\n\n\nWomen’s and children’s organizations\n\n\n\nEducators and school administrators\n\n\n\nInternet regulators and service providers\n\n\n\nMental health and social service professionals\n\n\n\nVictims and survivors of cyber abuse\n\n\n\nYoung women\, men\, and community leaders\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat to Expect \n\n\n\nParticipants can expect rich and informed discussions on: \n\n\n\n\nThe nature and impact of cyberviolence\n\n\n\nEthical and legal responses to online abuse\n\n\n\nMental health and psychosocial support strategies\n\n\n\nPrevention\, education\, and digital citizenship\n\n\n\n\nThe conference will bring together speakers with academic expertise and lived experience to foster meaningful dialogue and collective action. Strong advocacy efforts will focus on influencing legislation and institutional responsibility. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProgram Overview \n\n\n\nThe detailed program will be shared by the organizers in due course. Key thematic areas include: \n\n\n\n1. Theoretical Approaches to Online Violence \n\n\n\n\nDefinitions and conceptual frameworks\n\n\n\nCyberbullying in schools\, workplaces\, and communities\n\n\n\nTerminology: cyberbullying\, cyber mobbing\, internet harassment\n\n\n\n\n2. The Role of Emotions and Digital Behaviour \n\n\n\n\nEmotional dimensions of online violence\n\n\n\nImpact on victims\, witnesses\, and responders\n\n\n\nMedia narratives and emotional amplification\n\n\n\nTechnology-mediated distancing of empathy\n\n\n\n\n3. Intersectional Approaches \n\n\n\n\nPower dynamics in online harassment and hate speech\n\n\n\nTargeting of marginalized and privileged groups\n\n\n\nOnline attacks against feminist and human rights advocates\n\n\n\nMutual aid and support networks\n\n\n\n\n4. Prevention and Response Strategies \n\n\n\n\nEducation and institutional roles\n\n\n\nDigital literacy and digital citizenship\n\n\n\nPsychosocial skill development\n\n\n\nYouth empowerment and advocacy\n\n\n\nLegal and policy responses\n\n\n\nResponsibilities of social media platforms\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClosing Statement \n\n\n\nThe Annual International Conference on Internet Harassment and Bullying (ICIHB) stands as a critical platform for addressing one of the most pressing challenges of the digital age. By centering dignity\, safety\, mental wellbeing\, and ethical responsibility\, the conference seeks to move beyond awareness toward sustained action and meaningful change. \n\n\n\nFocus. Protecting Minds\, Dignity & Mental Wellbeing \n\n\n\nWe Win as One. \n\n\n\nPayment Links\n\n\n\n\n(International Delegates)\n\n\n\n\n\n (Early Bird)\n\n\n\n\n\n (International Students)\n\n\n\n\n\n (Local Students)\n\n\n\n\n\n (Exhibitors)
URL:https://theamaragirls.org/event/annual-international-conference-on-internet-harassment-and-bullying-icihb-2026/
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