Harassment. It is something we all face. However, with the ubiquity of social networking and social media, it has become far more intense and pervasive. It also has a wider audience, and more far-reaching consequences for victims.

Online harassment is as widespread as it is diverse. Regardless of its form, the objective is the same: to bring down morale and confidence — to “own” you, and to “destroy” you. The target is usually the core of who we are — how we express ourselves, how we connect with friends, or how we even just live, learn, and exist online. As we become more visible, we become more vulnerable.

Targeted posts are as demeaning as they are frightening. They can send victims spiraling towards negativity, even when you’re offline. They can also discourage friends, families, and employers from wanting to associate with you — again, even offline.

Recently, a trans woman I know was fired from her job when a dozen or so online harassers who were stalking her doxxed her employment information, and then used personal information to convince her employer to fire her. Stalking and doxxing are extremely common tactics for harassers, beyond the mere flooding of vitriol.

What do we do? Do social media sites need more transparency? Do they need better rules? Is it the enforcement of rules? Is it who enforces the rules online? Should marginalized people have a say in the rules? Should targeted groups become moderators? Simply put, there is no straightforward solution.