Ostracism is a social process where an individual or group of individuals is excluded or isolated from a certain social context. In the digital environment, ostracism manifests in various ways, such as exclusion or isolation from online communities, groups, or discussions. This can occur in the form of blocking, group expulsion, reporting, or spreading negative messages about the person. Ostracism is often part of cyberbullying, where individuals are intentionally excluded, attacked, or harassed online, such as through hostile messages, comments, or sharing personal information.
In the digital era we live in, technology has become an inseparable part of our lives. From smartphones to social media, from online work to digital entertainment—our interactions with technology are ubiquitous. This digital revolution, however, brings not only benefits but also challenges that can affect our physical and mental health. One term that has been increasingly discussed in recent years is "digital wellbeing." But what does it actually mean, and why is it important?
Undressing applications (so-called deep nudes, AI deep nude, AI fake nude) are software tools powered by artificial intelligence that can remove clothing from photos or videos, generate a naked human body and create a realistic illusion of nudity. The tools that make this possible are freely available and can be misused by literally anyone. Moreover, this technology is not regulated in any way, and can be used in practice by virtually anyone; many applications of this type are completely free.
Extortion that exploits intimate materials, known as sextortion, is a serious issue in cyberspace. According to data from the E-Bezpečí counseling center, men become victims of this type of extortion far more often than women. An analysis of cases handled by the counseling center shows that of the total number of sextortion cases, men constituted more than 78% of the victims, while women accounted for only 22%.
In the Czech Republic, we have the privilege of living in a society that protects and promotes freedom of speech. This fundamental right allows us to express our opinions and ideas, which is an invaluable pillar of our democracy. However, this is not the case in all countries and it is not a given everywhere.