Digital platforms have rapidly reshaped communication across Somalia and opened
new social spaces for women. Many young women now share their voices online,
build small businesses, speak about their experiences, and participate in public
conversations. However, these platforms expose Somali women to extreme
harassment, bullying, defamation, sexualized attacks, and character assassinations
(UNESCO, 2025). Somali women are already battling with widespread physical
violence, rape, and gender-based abuse, and digital platforms increase these risks
exponentially. This research examines the patterns of abusive language targeting
Somali women on TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Snapchat. Using
lexical analysis, sentiment scoring, keyword frequency monitoring, and observational
study of live-streamed content. This paper identifies platform-specific risks and high-
intensity harassment environments. Findings indicate that TikTok live streams are
hazardous for young women due to gaps in moderation systems in Somali language
content. Live streamers often demand that their fellow streamers speak only Somali
to avoid disruptions and comply with TikTok’s streaming guidelines (waryaa Somali
ku hadal). Snapchat is also used for direct harassment, private threats, and sharing
compromising images. These images occur 100% of the time: screenshots and
shared private stories with other users without the owner’s knowledge.
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