Targeted identities: Cyberbullying and online harassment of LGBTQ individuals in Myanmar looks at the intersection of social media use and the pervasive issue of cyberbullying and online harassment faced by LGBTQ individuals in Myanmar.
By Thein Dollar
MYANMAR DIGITAL RESEARCH 13
Abstract
This research examines the intersection of social media use and the pervasive issue of cyberbullying and online harassment faced by LGBTQ individuals in Myanmar. Digital accessibility has increased rapidly since 2015 and social media platforms like Facebook are used by 44 percent of the population in 2024 (Oo, 2024).
This proliferation of internet and social media use, while fostering connectivity and information sharing, has also given rise to significant challenges, particularly concerning the rise of online hate speech, cyberbullying and harassment, especially directed toward marginalized communities such as LGBTQ individuals. For Myanmar’s LGBTQ community, the digital sphere has become a hostile environment. These challenges are compounded by the absence of protective laws and deep-seated cultural and societal stigmas.
Keywords: social media, cyberbullying, LGBTQ, gender, digital safety, Myanmar
This Myanmar Digital Research paper was produced for the Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) initiative, with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with support from The SecDev Foundation. Views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of either organization.
Over the next two years, over twenty papers in the Myanmar Digital Research series will have researchers within and in the Myanmar diaspora exploring how the digital world is shaping their social, political and economic crisis, bringing new insights into issues facing Myanmar citizens. See below for others available now.