How can one survive hundreds or thousands of abusive, intrusive and personal attacks on social media? What if you are a youngster who fails to take such emotional pressure? Online harassment and cyber-bullying can put even the strongest of people under emotional stress. Sometimes, hundreds of hateful messages, morphed photos and even disturbing recommendations like “go die” or “kill yourself” swarm an Instagram, Twitter or Facebook accounts. If someone is a member of the media, glamour industry, politics or any area that requires online engagement – this is a Catch 22 situation. A young model intends to use Instagram to share her portfolio and improve her professional prospects. However, she is inundated with comments deriding her for her complexion, height, weight or decision to show some skin instead. In Pakistan, where people from the entertainment industry are perceived as “un-Islamic”, actresses and models routinely become victims to slut shaming. These glamour girls are often asked to not “dishonor” their parents, country, religion or family and to “die” instead. The younger victim is more likely to take to self-harm or live with negative thoughts. Researchers in the west are now drawing a correlation between cyber-bullying, depression, self-harm, and suicide among the youth. Needless to say, online harassment makes women a greater target of abuse than men. There is a need for urgent and effective intervention to counter cyber-bullying. Cyber Crime laws in Pakistan now include online sexual harassment as a crime. It is high time that provocation to suicide and self-harm are also criminalized. As the influence and engagement of social media grows in Pakistan, there is a need to educate users. Our law enforcement agencies must track and take steps to curb such hate campaigns and systematic attacks on individuals. If the victim attempts self-harm, the FIA should trace the accounts used in his or her bullying. Cyber-bullying should also be included in the penal code as an offence and the new parliament should take up this matter. Lastly, one can’t emphasize enough on the need for countering online bullying and empowering communities to help the victims. * Published in Daily Times, September 3rd 2018.