Mobile Myanmar: The Impact of Social Media on Young People Living in Conflict-Affected Regions of Myanmar Online harassment Rural participants described cyberbullying and online harassment mostly in terms of publicly sharing scandalous information that insults someone or harms their dignity. A common theme was the inappropriate use of someone else’s personal image, known outside Myanmar as image-based abuse: “I have once heard from my friend that someone from their community got cyberbullied and blackmailed by a stranger, approached through Facebook. She was threatened that her pictures would be posted online. She had to pay money to avoid that incident. But since it is someone they do not know from online, they could not sue them.” Female, 20 years, Kayah Buddhist, Htee Teh Kaloe & Daw Lyar Khu villages (Kayah State rural) Most participants from the rural locations were embarrassed to share examples of harassment they’d seen online. Examples that were shared included when partners are intoxicated and verbally rude, when they received inappropriate sexual images from strangers (including sharing news of homosexual marriages which they considered harassment), stories of extortion using personal images to demand money, the use of offensive language and being challenged to fight. Common responses of participants from the urban locations were similar, but also including strangers pretending to be someone they are not to make initial connections with them, and then intimidate them later. Participants also reported being harassed by strangers repeatedly calling them on their phone. Some participants were not aware that they could change their privacy settings to hide their personal contact details, so they would instead deactivate their account, or change sim cards. “One guy tried to call me every time and even said he wants to marry me. I am not sure how he got my phone number, but he kept on saying that we have talked to each other before, I just simply could not remember. He called me 50-100 times per day. [It was] taking too much time, so I had to think about whether I still need to use [my phone] or not. I ended up using an application to block and accept only my friends.” Female, 19-22 years, Loikaw (Kayah State urban) “When I started use Facebook, one person added me as a friend, he said he is from Dee Maw So. So, I thought he is a good guy since we are from the same ethnicity. He said later he is actually from another place, he threatened to use my pics on Facebook for other use. I was so scared and begged him. I had to deactivate that account.” Female, 19-20 years, Kayan Christian, Loikaw (Kayah State urban) Sharing behaviours Participants from all locations had very similar sharing behaviours regarding the content of their posts. This included sharing posts they found interesting and funny, celebrity news, inspirational quotes and poems. Many participants posted educational information and things that they thought might be useful to others (e.g., ‘how to…’ posts, scholarship information), or posts from people who needed help and support. Some shared posts about their personal feelings, their relationship status, or activities they participate in (e.g., travelling). There was, however, some disagreement among rural participants how and about whether feelings should be shared online. “I do not post about my feelings. My feelings are something I should keep it for myself. Sharing to others is not good.” Female, 20 years, Kayah Buddhist, Htee Teh Kaloe & Daw Lyar Khu villages (Kayah State rural) 43