Ideas worth spreading

How online abuse of women has spiraled out of control

2,017,744 views | Ashley Judd • TEDWomen 2016

Enough with online hate speech, sexual harassment and threats of violence against women and marginalized groups. It's time to take the global crisis of online abuse seriously. In this searching, powerful talk, Ashley Judd recounts her ongoing experience of being terrorized on social media for her unwavering activism and calls on citizens of the internet, the tech community, law enforcement and legislators to recognize the offline harm of online harassment.

Enough with online hate speech, sexual harassment and threats of violence against women and marginalized groups. It's time to take the global crisis of online abuse seriously. In this searching, powerful talk, Ashley Judd recounts her ongoing experience of being terrorized on social media for her unwavering activism and calls on citizens of the internet, the tech community, law enforcement and legislators to recognize the offline harm of online harassment.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about the WMC Speech Project's mission to raise public and media awareness about online harassment.

Donate to the WMC Speech Project and support the creation of new laws and policies that stop constant, toxic online abuse and expand women's safe free expression

About the speaker

Ashley Judd

Actor, activist

See speaker profile

Delivering pointedly frank observations with down-home sincerity, actor Ashley Judd is building a committed activist career on intense personal experience.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about the WMC Speech Project's mission to raise public and media awareness about online harassment.

Donate to the WMC Speech Project and support the creation of new laws and policies that stop constant, toxic online abuse and expand women's safe free expression