The Explorer: Journal of Social Sciences

ISSN: 2411-0132, Vol-1, Issue (3):58-61

www.theexplorerpak.org

SEXUAL HARASSMENT: A STUDY OF MAL-ADAPTATION OF INFORMATION AND

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Bushra Ejaz , Samiya Imtiaz
Department of Anthropology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
Corresponding Author:
Bushra Ejaz
PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
bushraroy@gmail.com
Abstract: Information Communication Technology (ICT) is an umbrella term that includes communication devices
(television, cellular phones, computer etc) or applications and the services associated with these devices. In current era
of globalization ICT performs significant role in our daily life as it helps us in communication, education, business and
entertainment. This paper focuses on the misuse of this technology by the people. The study was conducted by using
qualitative research tools. The data of research was collected from a sample of 75 respondents from two public sector
Universities of Rawalpindi. Data was analyzed using cross tabulation which indicated that the maledicting behavior of
people towards this technology is getting more dominant then the fruitful adaptation .

Key Words: Gender, ICT, Sexual Harassment, Mal adaptation

INTRODUCTION
The definition of technology is very broad and
generally refers to any object made by humans.
Here the study is focused on only one subset of
technology Information and Communication
Technology (ICT). According to the report (Nation
2006), ICT has got the complex nature complex
nature and multiple applications may be seen in
a variety of ways, it is defined as a set of
activities which are facilitate by electronic means
for the processing of transmission and display of
information(Nations 2006). ICTs are viewed as
technologies people use to share, distribute, and
gather information and to communicate, through
computers and computer networks. In other
way by which ICTs are described is that they are a
complex and varied set of goods, applications and
services used for producing, distributing,
processing, transforming information [including]
telecoms, TV and radio broadcasting, hardware
and software, computer services and electronic
media. The first definition is more focused on
specific actions and the third primarily discusses
the means of information distribution, the
second definition has been employed for the
purposes of this research. Since this definition
not only mention what kinds of devices will be
discussed computers and computer networks
but it also explains how these devices are used to
share, distribute, gather information and to
communicate. Considering the progress in the
development of cellular technologies and the

potential of modern cell phones to perform the

same actions that originally were only available
through computers (connecting to the Internet,
creating, sharing, distributing, and gathering of
information), Cell phones are considered as
appointment ICT device. In this section of the
reader will be introduction to the technological
environment in contemporary family selling and
overview of the multidisciplinary research
focused on the use of ICTs and SNS (social
networking sites) will be given. Two types of ICT
devices that have been used in the context of
leisure and are related to the use of SNS are to be
discussed. Firstly, if we review the main trends in
how computers with access to Internet and
handheld device (e.g., cell phone) have been
used in the modern world by families and
individual family members, a focus needs to be
led on Social networking sites (SNS). For this
matter the history of their launching and main
trends in their use, as well as changes and
challenges in the creation of SNS need to be
studies. It has brought leisure and activity to our
life. This study focused on one specific activity
performed with the help of the discussed ICTs
the use of social network sites (SNS) by different
family members. Facebook, you tube and
whatsapp, as the three most popular SNS, were
the main focus of this research. However, other
SNSs used for leisure by the participants in
addition to Facebook, you tube and whatsapp
(mainly Google+) was also included. Since

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LinkedIn is a social networking site used mostly

for professional networking, its use by family
members is not explored in this study. UN
categories sexual abuse material as a mode of
online violence that may be user generated and
self-generated content which include sexing
(Nation 2014). Internet and other forms of
communication technologies appear to be
associated with an increased risk of sexual
exploitation, as well as other forms of violence
(Nations 2006). The involvement of broadband
has facilitated online abuse and exploitation
because it enables the exchange of photos; video
and audio. The new forms of sexual harassment
are on the rise. This is facilitated by fast
development of information communication
technologies. For example, developments of
social network sites such as facebook are used by
individuals in various ways, some of which border
on sexual harassments (Ruto 2009). It is
imperative therefore that the society and
especially the young people are required to be
adequately informed on the various forms of
sexual harassment and possible effects on their
personal lives. Because of a common misuse of
ICT, harassment cases have increased in our
country. We approach a definition of sexual
harassment from a critical feminist perspective ,
concerned not only with the individual behaviors
that are eventually labeled as sexual
harassment but with the conditions within which
all forms of gender harassing behaviors are
performed and tolerated. Critical feminism offers
an interpretation of sexual harassment as a form
of systematic discrimination that manifests
within an unequal gender system in which
dominant forms of masculinity, or hegemonic
masculinities (Sanela 2013). With an the
extensive use of ICT, children also getting
sexually sensitized since they are expose to
multiple communication channels of social
media. In a country like Pakistan, there is no such
authority which is regulating the kind contents of
material available on the websites. There are
thousands of websites based on sexually explicit
material which is a cause to harassment. Sexual
harassment is a very serious problem specially
faced by women. Sexual harassment is defined
as Any unwanted physical, verbal or visual
sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and
other sexually oriented conduct which is
offensive or objectionable to the recipient,
including, but not limited to: epithets, derogatory
or suggestive comments, slurs or gestures and

offensive posters, cartoons, pictures, or

drawings. Mostly women are not aware of ICTs
especially in rural communities where the norms
and the values still constitute barriers to a
common. Women need secure places that will
give them the flexibility to access and use ICTs
while protecting them from sexual harassment
(Recardo 2011).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In order to collect the data for current research a
sample comprising of 75 participants were
randomly interviewed from Rawalpindi city who
belong to various ages groups were studied in a
public sector university of Rawalpindi. The data
was gathered by designing a structure
questionnaire based on numerical response. Data
was coded and analyses spss software the
analysis and interpretation was made after cross
analysis.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table. 1: Cross Tabulation
Questions
Response
Are you user of Yes
ICTs
No
Sexual
sensitization of
ICT leads to
frustration
among teens
and
adolescents
Aggression and
frustration
created due to
sexual
sensitization
results in
physical
weakness
Harassment
caused by ICT
can be
controlled by
effective
measures
Harassment
caused by ICT
has mostly
affected female
population

Male
32
12

Female
20
11

Strongly
Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree

12

21
9
2

22
3
2

Strongly
Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree

16

16
6
5
1

16
8
0
1

Strongly
Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Strongly
Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree

14

21
7
1
1

15
8
3
0

11

13

9
8
9
3

14
4
0

ICT has made the people lives easy and

comfortable. It is served as a medium of
entertainment for most of the people of all the

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age groups. People feel comfortable in spending

time in watching movies, playing games and
chatting online with friends and family members.
Results drawn from the table indicates that
people has been widely maladaptive by the ICT.
72% male and 64% female claim to be the regular
users of ICTs while 30% male and30% female
replied that in no because they dont interest in
using these gadgets. In response to the question
regarding sexual sensitization due to ICT, mostly
people were of the view that it leads to
frustration among the teens while 47% male
rejected this statement. When asked about
sexually explicit material leading to physical and
mental weaknesses 36% males and 36 female
agreed to it whereas the rest believe that getting
expose to such material is not a cause to any of
these weaknesses.
Respondents were inquired on whether the
misuse of ICT has mostly harassed female
population, only 29% male accepted that female
are harassed by males by the means and 29%
females are of the view that female harassed by
men. The vast majority of victims of sexual
harassment are women (Fitzgerald and Shulman
1993) women are most the victims of sexual
harassment.
Apart from this, people were also of the opinion
that regular use of internet and adult material
available on a variety of websites has increased
the sexual sensitization among the teens and
young people that leads to a lot of social
problems. 61% male and 70% female were of the
view that internet provokes early sexuality
among adolescent and teens who use face book,
chatting sites and messengers SNSs where they
can easily sensitize each other by exchanging
explicit pictures and clips which is a common way
to harass people nowadays. The number of
teenagers concerned in dangerous sexual behavior
is increasing in outbreak proportions. This could be
in part because teens have misconceptions about
sex and its consequences (Loew/Thompson 2011).
It was observed during survey; people were of
the view that misuse of internet has increased
cases of harassment and abuses among the teens
as ICT is maladapted by the people. It was
observed that the unwanted sexual materials on
internet poke repeatedly even on educational
sites and other informative websites which in
term imposes negative impact on internet users.
The increasing use of social media and usergenerated internet content has resulted in
regulatory responses from governments, including

the use of criminal law, and calls for respect for

rights to freedom of expression. Responding
countries report varying boundaries to appearance,
including with respect to slur, dislike, threats,
incitement to hatred, insult to religious feelings,
obscene material, and depression the state. The
socio-cultural element of some limitations is
reflected not only in national law, but also in
mutual instruments. Some regional cybercrime
instruments, for example, contain broad offences
regarding the abuse of public morals, pornographic
material, and religious or family principles or values
(Nation 2013).
There should be a strong check and balance
system to avoid abuse. Effective control
measures can help in this regard. There a number
of securities Softwares that can be installed on
computers to keep an eye on the activities of
internet users. It was observed that people were
of the view that in harassment cases caused by
the misuses of internet can be avoided by taking
control measures. Teens and young people
should train to make them familiar to not misuse
ICT people were of the view that these abuses
can be discouraged by limiting assess of the
people to sexual material and this should be a
social responsibility of every individual.
CONCLUSION
The research conducted focus on mostly universities student in order to access the
visibility and accessibility of information and
service provided for those who use ICT. It is
observed that mal-adaptation through ICT is
common in our societies. Misuse of ICTs leads to
mal-adaptation and sensitize people to have
sexual relationships against moral values.
Comprehensive sexual harassment information
must be made more visible, so that harassing
behaviors can be identified as unacceptable and
victims are encouraged to report it.
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1993 Sexual Harassment: A Research
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2011 Teens and Risky Sexual Behavior:
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2013 Comprehensive
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on

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2015 The Explorer Journal of Social Sciences-Pakistan

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