Friday 13/February/2026 – 09:05 PM
Sohag University witnessed a scientific discussion of the latest master’s study entitled Electronic blackmail of girls and its impact on societal security.
The study focused on girls between the ages of 18 and 25, as they are at the university stage and the beginning of their professional career, and it is the most targeted group on social media platforms.
The study was applied to 400 girls from four governorates representing Egypt’s sectors: Cairo, Sharkia, Port Said, and Sohag. The researcher also conducted in-depth interviews with 16 experts in religion, psychology, sociology, law, digital media, and education to interpret the digital findings and understand the causes of blackmail.
A study on electronic blackmail at Sohag University
The results showed a difference in girls’ awareness of being exposed to blackmail, and that girls’ excessive trust in their acquaintances or prolonged engagement in virtual relationships on social media leads to the exchange of photos, videos, and private information, which facilitates their becoming victims of blackmail.
The study also showed other methods of blackmailers, including impersonating a girl, fake recruitment agencies, bombed links, photo editing applications or games that request access to the camera and studio.
Blackmailers have also used artificial intelligence techniques to fabricate photos and videos in what is known as deepfakes, to threaten girls by posting shameful content or demanding sums of money or immoral encounters in exchange for deleting the data.
The study identified the reasons for exposure to electronic blackmail, including family disintegration, emotional preoccupation of parents, need for money, desire to get married, girls’ lack of awareness of technical skills, and weak religious and moral conscience.
She confirmed that blackmail has a moderate impact on a large percentage of girls and is dangerous on a small percentage, and this is due to the lack of proper education and psychological, social and economic pressures.
The study also showed that 81% of girls support imposing censorship on inappropriate content on social media, implementing strict laws on perpetrators of blackmail crimes, and disclosing them and punishing them. The study confirmed that this phenomenon affects societal security, including an increase in fraudulent operations, defamation of the reputation of girls and their families, loss of self-confidence, a tendency toward isolation, and the emergence of psychological, nervous, and physical disorders.
The study recommended the necessity of maintaining digital privacy, activating two-factor authentication on accounts, not responding to the blackmailer, immediately going to Internet Investigations or hotline 108 to report to the competent investigation authorities, and keeping digital evidence such as a screenshot.
The study also called for implementing comprehensive awareness campaigns from the media, education, family, and places of worship, and teaching media education to girls at an early age to enhance their digital awareness and protect them from blackmail.
The study was prepared by Hadia Al-Hawari and she received a master’s degree with an excellent grade, with a recommendation of course. The study was supervised by Dr. Sahar Wehbe and Dr. Israa Saber, professors of media at the university. Dr. Amal Khattab, professor and head of the Department of Media at Benha University, and Dr. Saber Hares, professor of media at Sohag University, participated in the discussion.
