Beyond the Hashtags: What Happens After the Posts?

Photo by Walls.io on Unsplash

By Cynthia Umeh

Hashtags like #EndDigitalViolence and #UniteAgainstAbuse fill our feeds during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. We share posts, re-tweet powerful messages, and voice our support. But what happens after we hit “post”? Does the conversation stop when the hashtags fade from our timelines? The reality is that real change starts beyond the hashtags.

Yes, social media can be a powerful tool for awareness. But it is only the beginning. After we have shared the posts and engaged in the conversations, we must ask ourselves: What comes next? What action are we taking to end digital violence against women and girls?

The 16 Days of Activism serves as a global call to action, highlighting the urgent need to end digital violence. From online harassment to AI-generated deepfakes, cyberstalking to the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, digital violence is real, harmful, and widespread. It is easy to feel like sharing a post is enough, but we must recognize that while hashtags raise awareness, they do not dismantle the systems that allow this violence to continue. The posts we share can create momentum, but they cannot alone create change.

Take the example of online harassment. A woman might be trolled, bullied, or abused by anonymous users on social media. She might receive hateful comments, threats, or explicit messages simply because of her sex and gender. We can all repost a powerful message about ending harassment, but what happens when she reports it? How do we, as individuals, ensure the platforms are held accountable for protecting her? This is where we, beyond the hashtags, must demand more from tech companies. We must pressure them to take real action: stronger moderation, better reporting tools, and stricter enforcement of anti-abuse policies.

Let us talk about AI-generated deepfakes. This new form of abuse uses technology to create realistic, harmful content that distorts a person’s image without their consent. A woman’s face can be placed on explicit content, and within seconds, it can spread across the internet, damaging her reputation, career, and mental health: especially in a world that shames women based on purity culture. Awareness is crucial, but what happens after we have shared the post about deepfakes? The tech industry must take responsibility and introduce new safeguards that prevent this from happening in the first place. Governments must legislate against this type of abuse, creating penalties for perpetrators and safeguards for victims. The conversation must evolve into policy change, legal accountability, and platform responsibility.

The reality is that digital violence does not end with a shared hashtag. It does not end when the campaign finishes. This is a long-term fight, and the true work begins when the social media posts stop trending. It is up to each one of us to carry the conversation forward.

At Shades of Us, we recognize that true change begins with changing our perspectives and reframing our narratives. We amplify the voices of those who have been silenced, to share stories of strength and survival, and to shed light on the experiences of those affected by digital violence. We are committed to making sure that the conversation continues beyond the hashtags and that the voices of survivors are heard.

Here is what can happen next:

• Speak Up and Advocate for Change: We must hold tech companies/social media platforms accountable. They should not profit from digital platforms without ensuring their users’ safety. Reach out to policymakers, write petitions, and demand stronger protections for women and girls online. Post with a purpose—use your voice to raise awareness and push for reforms.

• Support Survivors Beyond the Screen: Digital violence impacts real people. Offer support to those who have been targeted. Help survivors connect with legal resources, counseling services, and advocacy groups that are working to provide justice. Reach out to those affected and make sure they feel seen and heard.

• Challenge Harmful Online Norms: It is not enough to just report abuse when we see it. We must challenge harmful behavior before it becomes widespread. Speak up when you see sexism, racism, or any form of online abuse. It could be in a comment section or within a group chat. Be proactive. Be an ally.

• Take Personal Responsibility: It starts with us. Beyond the hashtags, we each have a role to play in creating a safer online space. Start by being mindful of your online behavior. Educate others on digital safety and respect for boundaries. Let us stop the cycle of harm by becoming part of the solution.

The 16 Days of Activism is a time for awareness, but it is also a time for action. The digital violence women and girls face online is real, and the harm it causes is significant. But we can fight back. After the hashtags trend and the posts fade from our feeds, we must take the next step. The power is in our hands.

Let us stand up for those who are silenced. Let us demand accountability from the platforms we use every day. Let us create an online world where women and girls feel safe, respected, and empowered. The work does not end with a post. It begins with what we do next.