ICIHB 2026 — International Conference on Internet Harassment & Bullying
Digital Justice: Gender, Safety and Cyber Security
80 Cooperage St, Toronto, ON M5A 0J3
Cyberbullying, cyberstalking, hate speech and online harassment have become urgent global concerns. ICIHB brings researchers, educators, policymakers and youth together to build safer digital spaces.
Understanding Internet Harassment
Harassment 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.
These 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.
The Scale of Cyberviolence
The 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.
Cyberviolence 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.
Why Attend
ICIHB 2026 convenes researchers, educators, policymakers, industry leaders and youth from around the world to share evidence, build coalitions and design practical interventions for safer online spaces.
Delegates will explore digital ethics, platform accountability, survivor-centred response, and community-led education — with a specific focus on the disproportionate impact of internet harassment on women, girls and marginalized communities.
