Addressing Mental Health Stigma and Digital Harassment in Pakistan and Indonesia: Insights from Islamic Principles and AI-Driven Cybersecurity Law

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital communication technologies in Muslim-majority societies has intensified longstanding challenges related to mental-health stigma and online harassment. Pakistan and Indonesia, two of the world’s largest Muslim populations, have experienced a significant increase in cyberbullying, cyberstalking, electronic harassment, and non-consensual dissemination of personal information. These harms exert profound psychological and social effects, often compounded by cultural tendencies to stigmatize mental-health struggles and discourage victims from reporting.This paper aims to examine the intersection of online harassment, mental-health stigma, Islamic ethical norms, and emerging AI-driven cybersecurity regulations in both countries. Using qualitative and normative legal approaches, the study analyzes national cyber laws, Islamic jurisprudential principles related to dignity and privacy, and contemporary research on the psychological impact of digital abuse. It also evaluates the promise and limitations of AI-based detection tools for cyber harassment. The findings indicate that while Pakistan and Indonesia have enacted legislation against cyber offences, enforcement gaps persist and victims continue to face significant barriers to justice. Islamic moral teachings, particularly concepts such as karāmah al-insān (human dignity), ḥifẓ al-‘aql (protection of intellect), and satr al-‘awrah (protection of privacy), offer a crucial ethical foundation that can complement statutory frameworks. The integration of these principles with responsible AI-driven cybersecurity mechanisms could provide a culturally grounded and technologically relevant solution to mitigate digital harassment and reduce mental-health stigma. The study concludes that a holistic model combining law, ethics, technology, and psychosocial support is essential to create safer digital environments in Pakistan and Indonesia.