Just as social media has been a blessing for artists, as it has for people in many other professions, it has also brought deeply troubling experiences for many, especially female artists.
According to reports published in various media outlets, between 59 and 63.5 per cent of women experience online harassment, a significant proportion of which occurs in the showbiz arena.
A survey by UN Women found that one in ten women suffers from severe depression as a result of such harassment. A 2024 survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics shows that the rate is 16 per cent among women aged 20–24.
Analysis of various news reports reveals several forms of cyberbullying. These include spreading false rumours and character assassination, insults about physical appearance, creating obscene deepfake videos and religious or moral attacks over issues such as clothing. As a result, many artists experience deep depression, sudden anger, and immense psychological pressure. Some even leave social media altogether.
Actress Mehazabien Chowdhury has faced such harassment multiple times. She has been attacked on moral grounds over photographs from her foreign travels or for wearing short clothing.
Actress Nusrat Imrose Tisha, who took part in the ‘My Number, My Rules campaign’, said she experiences cyberbullying an average of nine times a day.
In the same campaign, other artists also shared their experiences. Runa Khan reported 24 instances, Sabnam Faria 100 and Moushumi Hamid 72. Actress Ashna Habib Bhabna wrote ‘99’ on her hand and posted it online as part of the campaign, yet some netizens still made obscene comments on the post.
Actress Pori Moni has often been bullied over her personal life and legal controversies. In an interview, she said that although she tries not to pay much attention to such incidents, they sometimes leave her feeling helpless.
Actress Tasnia Farin has faced online criticism due to the circulation of false news about her personal life. Sadia Ayman has also been targeted through deepfakes: AI-generated obscene videos made without her consent.
Actress Azmeri Haque Badhon, who has represented Bangladesh at several international festivals including the Cannes Film Festival, has also been trolled over her clothing and her status as a single mother. She said that at the age of 43 she has developed a certain immunity, but added that “it is much harder for teenagers”.
Actress, musician and NGO official Rafiath Rashid Mithila is also frequently targeted online. Despite tracking the IP addresses of several Facebook accounts with legal assistance, she has been unable to identify the perpetrators. Even someone with a strong personality like her has suffered panic attacks and trauma as a result.
Actress Nusrat Faria is regularly trolled for her fashion and appearance. The attacks intensified after she portrayed Sheikh Hasina in the Bangabandhu biopic ‘Mujib: Ekti Jatir Rupokar’. She has said that she chooses not to remain silent about such incidents, believing that silence only encourages the trolls.
To address cyberbullying, the government has enacted the Cyber Security Act (2025) and the Pornography Control Act (2012).
There is also a police initiative called ‘Cyber Support for Women’. However, the implementation of these measures remains very limited.
