From Code to Conduct: Navigating Internet Governance, Online Violence, and Digital Feminism
In discussion with Iman Amirullah and Diah Irawati, we explore the critical intersection of internet governance, online gender-based violence (KBGO), and digital feminism. It deconstructs how current approaches to internet regulation are often flawed by "techno-solutionism" and undemocratic processes, failing to protect vulnerable communities. The piece highlights the severe, real-world consequences of online harm, linking digital extremism and misogyny to tangible violence, and posits that the internet is a "double-edged sword" of both liberation and oppression. As a path forward, we champion digital feminism, which calls for collective action, mindful online engagement, and building solidarity to reclaim digital spaces and create a safer, more equitable world for all.
AI-GENERATEDENGLISHDEVELOPMENT DISCOURSE NOTESGENDER EQUALITYINTERNETGOVERNMENT
Indonesia Development Circle (Generated by AI)
7/10/20254 min read
The digital world is no longer a separate realm; it is an extension of our lives, reflecting both the best and worst of our society. A recent Indonesian Development Discourse session brought together experts Iman Amirullah (Kim) of the Indonesian School of Internet Governance and Diah Irawati (Ira), an anthropologist and co-founder of LETSSTALK, to dissect the critical issues of internet governance, the pervasive threat of Online Gender-Based Violence (KBGO), and the rise of digital feminism as a form of resistance.
The discussion, titled "Internet Governance: Human Rights and the Protection of Vulnerable Groups," unpacked how the rules that govern our online lives are created, why they often fail to protect the most vulnerable, and what we can do to build a safer, more equitable digital future.
Stream the full session on YouTube
Deconstructing Internet Governance
Iman Amirullah, or Kim, opened the session by demystifying the concept of internet governance. He stressed that it's far more than just tech jargon; it's about power, principles, and people.
What is Internet Governance?
At its core, internet governance is the process of creating and applying shared principles, rules, and values to shape the development and use of the internet. "Simply put, it's the process of regulating the internet," Kim explained. This regulation is essential because the internet is not a neutral, empty space. It is embedded with the biases of its creators and mirrors the inequalities of the real world.
Common Misconceptions and Failures
Kim argued that current approaches to internet governance, particularly in Indonesia, are deeply flawed.
Techno-solutionism: There's a dangerous tendency to believe technology is the magic bullet for all societal problems. Kim pointed to examples like proposing AI to manage floods without a concrete plan or creating a sophisticated app for fishermen who lack the smartphones or data plans to use it, all while ignoring the root problem of sea pollution.
Confusing Governance with Digitalization: Internet governance is often mistaken for simply moving administrative tasks online, like vehicle registration or healthcare applications. True governance is about establishing the fundamental rules and regulations for the digital world itself.
Undemocratic Processes: Laws like Indonesia's ITE Law, intended to curb scams, have been created without adequate public participation. As a result, they have become tools of power used to repress minorities, laborers, and dissenters, while the original problems they were meant to solve persist.
The Real Goal: Protection Over Mere Representation
For vulnerable groups, including women and queer individuals, simply having online visibility is not enough; it can be dangerous. "Without protective mechanisms, you're just pushing minority groups into a tiger's den," Kim warned. The rise of technologies like AI-powered deepfake pornography, which disproportionately targets women, underscores this danger.
Therefore, inclusive internet governance must move beyond representation and focus on creating robust safety mechanisms that accommodate the specific needs and vulnerabilities of these groups.
The Double-Edged Sword of Digital Life
Diah Irawati, or Ira, continued the discussion by focusing on the lived realities of online engagement, framing the internet as a "double-edged sword". It is a site of liberation, transformation, and connection, but also one of oppression, domination, and violence.
The Virtual is Real and the Consequences are Severe
Ira emphasized that the online and offline worlds are inextricably linked. What happens online does not stay online. This connection is starkly illustrated by the rise of digital extremism, where online radicalization has directly led to real-world terrorist attacks.
She cited the horrific mass shootings at a mosque in New Zealand, an LGBTQ+ community in Bratislava, and a synagogue in California. The perpetrators, though acting alone, were connected and radicalized in online spaces like 4chan and Telegram. Their ideology was a toxic, intersectional brew of white supremacy, Islamophobia, antisemitism, misogyny, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate. "They were motivated and inspired by each other online," Ira stated, noting that the New Zealand shooter's manifesto was shared globally, inspiring subsequent attacks.
This culture of hate is amplified by influential podcasters and YouTubers who openly promote misogyny to millions of young, impressionable followers.
Understanding and Resisting Online Gender-Based Violence (KBGO)
KBGO is a manifestation of this digital dark side. Its forms are diverse, including:
Non-consensual sharing of intimate images
Doxing, stalking, and online grooming
Hate speech and online impersonation
Inciting offline violence against a target
Tragically, the consequences can include severe trauma and even suicide. In Indonesia, reported cases of KBGO are rising sharply, and this is believed to be only the "tip of the iceberg".
The Path Forward: Digital Feminism and Collective Action
Faced with these challenges, especially when governments are inactive or complicit, how can we fight back? Both speakers pointed toward a path of collective action and digital feminism.
1. Reclaim the Political Space: "What is virtual is political," Ira declared. We must challenge the toxic masculinity that dominates many online spaces and actively work to build safe, inclusive alternatives.
2. Adopt a Comprehensive Strategy: Resistance cannot be piecemeal. It requires a combination of public education, promoting digital literacy, advocacy, research, and establishing robust support systems like hotlines and counseling services with a feminist perspective.
3. Practice Mindful Engagement: We must be critical consumers of online content. "Hold your fingers," Ira urged, advising everyone to think before sharing content that perpetuates harmful stereotypes or hate. We must use our own platforms, no matter the size, to amplify marginalized voices and advocate for justice.
4. Build Militant Solidarity: The same way extremists build militant online communities, those fighting for justice must do the same. "If we don't have empathy and solidarity, humanity is dead," Ira stated bluntly. This requires listening deeply to the experiences of others to build genuine understanding and collective strength.
5. Demand Better Governance: The fight for better policies is long and arduous, but essential. We must continue to pressure governments and platforms to enact and enforce regulations that protect users, punish perpetrators, and provide restorative justice for victims.
The journey toward a safe and equitable internet is long, and the results may not be seen immediately. But as the speakers powerfully concluded, we cannot afford to be apathetic. The struggle is about more than just technology; it is a struggle for human rights, for justice, and for the soul of our interconnected world. We must not simply undo the damage but, as Ira suggested, "redo" and reconstruct a better digital society for all.