LAHORE: The Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) has warned of a sharp rise in cyber harassment cases, particularly involving minors, alongside persistent barriers to justice.
It released its 2025 annual report on its digital security helpline and highlighted growing online safety risks across the country.
According to the report, the helpline received 3,012 complaints in 2025, besides 776 follow-ups, averaging around 250 cases per month. Of these, 2,586 were related to cyber harassment, bringing the total number of complaints handled since the helpline’s launch in 2016 to 23,032.
A particularly alarming trend identified in the report is the continued increase in cases involving minors. After a 51pc surge in 2024, such cases rose by a further 28pc in 2025, reaching 159 from 124 a year earlier. The report noted that even children aged six to nine were among those affected, facing risks such as online grooming, sexual abuse and digital exploitation.
DRF report identifies rise in cyber harassment cases; highlights alarming trend of surge in minors’ cases
The DRF termed the trend indicative of a deepening child safety crisis linked to increased digital exposure and weak protective mechanisms.
Adults aged between 18 and 30 accounted for the largest share of complaints at 51.3pc, showing both higher digital engagement and awareness of reporting avenues. Women remained disproportionately affected, reporting 1,709 cases compared to 1,279 by men. They faced higher levels of technology-facilitated violence, including non-consensual intimate image abuse, blackmail and sextortion, while men reported more cases of financial fraud.
The data also pointed to vulnerabilities among specific groups, including 159 minors, 94 journalists, 52 human rights defenders and 24 individuals from religious and ethnic minorities, underscoring the intersection of online abuse with professional and identity-based risks.
Geographically, Punjab accounted for 69.5pc of reported cases, which the report attributed to both population size and relatively better access to reporting mechanisms. In contrast, significantly lower reporting rates were recorded in Balochistan (3pc), Azad Kashmir (0.6pc) and Gilgit-Baltistan (0.26pc), reflecting gaps in awareness and infrastructure.
The report further highlighted the growing role of emerging technologies in amplifying harm.
DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad cautions that generative artificial intelligence is accelerating abuse, warning that “we are entering a phase where AI is scaling harm at speed,” particularly affecting women and children.
Major social media platforms WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram accounted for 53pc of reported cases, with WhatsApp alone contributing 34pc.
The report noted that features such as disappearing messages and “view once” media were complicating evidence collection and accountability.
Despite 79pc of cyber harassment cases being referred to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), access to justice remained limited. Only 51pc of complaints originated from cities with operational cybercrime offices, forcing many victims to travel long distances. A total of 892 complaints were received from the cities lacking NCCIA offices, highlighting structural barriers, particularly for those in rural areas.
The report noted that while online complaint portals exist, requirements for in-person verification often deterred survivors from pursuing legal action. In response, the DRF expanded its legal support, assisting 143 cases, conducting 30 court and NCCIA visits, and providing in-person support to 68 survivors.
The foundation reiterated its commitment to supporting victims through technical guidance, platform assistance and legal pathways.
The report urged law enforcement agencies to enhance technical capacity, improve reporting mechanisms for minors and integrate psychological support services.
It also called on policymakers to strengthen data protection laws and bridge the digital gender divide through nationwide digital literacy initiatives, while social media platforms were urged to improve reporting tools and localised AI moderation systems.
Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2026.
