Opinion | Social Media for Kashmiri Girls Between Freedom, Fear, and Social Expectations

Social media has become a big part of our daily lives. It is where we share thoughts, photos, ideas, and sometimes even dreams. For many girls in Kashmir, social media is not just a place for entertainment. It is a space to speak, learn, earn, and grow. But at the same time, it is also a space full of pressure, fear, and challenges. This is something I have seen closely, not read in a book or heard in a speech, but watched happening around me.

In Kashmir, society is still very conservative in many ways. Girls are often expected to stay quiet, limit their presence in public spaces, and follow strict social rules. When a Kashmiri girl comes on social media, she is not seen as just an individual. She is seen as someone representing her family, her culture, and sometimes even her entire community. This makes social media a very sensitive and risky space for her.

One of the biggest challenges Kashmiri girls face on social media is constant judgment. From the clothes they wear to the way they talk, everything is questioned. A simple picture or video invites hundreds of comments, many of them unnecessary and hurtful. People are quick to label, shame, and criticize. I have seen girls remove their posts, lock their accounts, or completely quit social media just because they could not handle the pressure anymore.

Another serious problem is harassment. Almost all the Kashmiri girls who are using social media for the promotion of their small businesses face harassment in comments and messages daily. These girls are trying to stand on their own feet by selling handmade items, clothes, food products, or providing services such as teaching or art. On the contrary, instead of encouragement, they receive disturbing comments, mocking words, and sometimes personal attacks. I have personally seen comment sections where, instead of asking about prices or products, people pass cheap remarks or question the girl’s character. This kind of behaviour breaks confidence and creates fear.

What makes it worse is that when girls speak up about harassment, they are often blamed. People say things like, why are you on social media then? Or this is your own fault. This mindset is deeply unfair. Social media is not owned by anyone. Girls have the same right to use it as boys do. Blaming the victim only protects the harasser and pushes girls into silence.

Another challenge young girls face is family pressures. Kashmiri girls are often forced to think twice before sharing anything on social platforms, because they fear that someone they know may see it and judge them. Sometimes, families can even prevent their daughters from joining social networks because of “what will they say?” This limits freedom and expression. I am aware of many girls who are highly talented in writing, speaking, and business, but they are forced to remain secretive as they are afraid of what people will think about them.

Mental health is also deeply affected by these challenges. Constant negativity, comparison, and harassment through comments and messages leave them feeling insecure. Girls start doubting themselves. Anxiety, stress, and fear become common. Some girls feel watched all the time, even in their own rooms, just because they are active online. This invisible pressure is heavy and painful.

Despite all this, Kashmiri girls are not weak. In fact, their presence on social media shows courage. Many girls are using these platforms to raise awareness about education, mental health, women’s rights, and local issues. Some are running successful online businesses and supporting their families. Some are sharing stories that inspire others. These girls are changing narratives quietly, step by step.

However, they should not have to fight alone. There is a strong need for support systems. Families need to trust their daughters and stand by them. Society needs to understand that social media is a tool, not a crime. Authorities and platforms should take online harassment seriously and act against it. Schools and colleges should teach digital safety and responsible online behaviour, especially to boys.

We also need to talk about silence. Many girls choose silence because speaking up brings more trouble. This silence should worry us. A society where girls feel unsafe to speak, even online, needs deep reflection. Respect should not depend on gender. Decency should not be expected only from girls.

Social media has the power to empower, but only if the environment is safe. For Kashmiri girls, social media is both a window and a wall. A window to opportunities, learning, and independence, and a wall made of judgment, harassment, and fear. The challenge is real, visible, and ongoing.

In the end, the question is simple, do we want our girls to grow or hide? Social media is not the enemy. The real problem is the mindset that refuses to let girls exist freely. Until that mindset changes, social media will remain a challenge for Kashmiri girls, not because they are wrong people’s thinking has not changed yet. Change is possible, but it needs courage from everyone, not just girls. When a Kashmiri girl speaks, shows her work, or works online, she is not breaking culture, she is shaping her future. Social media should become a place of support, not judgment. Respect, understanding, and empathy can slowly make this space safer. That is when Kashmiri girls will use social media without fear, and with the confidence they truly deserve.

faheemferoz618@gmail.com