Digital Safety for Service Members: Online Risks, Exploitation, and Mental Health Impact

For the military community, many veterans and transitioning service members are reliant on digital spaces for social connection, employment opportunities, support, and a sense of belonging. Yet these same online environments can expose service members to heightened risks of harassment, exploitation, and psychological harm. Without adequate digital safety awareness, the internet has and will continue to become an entry point for exploitation.

Common Digital Threats Facing Service Members

1. Online Harassment and Identity-Based Targeting

Playing interactive video games like Call of Duty, Halo, Fortnite, or streaming/conversation platforms like Twitch or Discord can expose a service member to cyber harassment tied to their military identity, combat experiences, or mental health disclosures. Women, LGBTQ+, and those with visible service-related injuries are particularly at risk for online abuse and intimidation. This harassment can worsen depression, social withdrawal, and transition-related stress, especially when disconnected from military support systems.

2. Financial Scams Targeting Veterans

According to AARP & The Federal Trade Commission, in 2024, nearly 100,000 fraud cases involving service members, veterans, and their families were reported, with a total estimated loss of $584 million, and the median loss for veterans ($700) was above the general population median.

Financial exploitation is one of the most common digital risks for the military community, as scammers frequently pose as:

• Fake VA employee impersonators

• VA representatives or benefits advisors (Claim Predators!!!)

• Military-friendly employers or lenders

• Phishing emails about military-related services or opportunities

  
  

Due to a service member's financial assurance and identifiable military service information, they become susceptible to online scammers. Becoming a victim of financial misuse or identity fraud incites financial instability, compounding adjustment difficulties, anxiety, and shame, impeding a successful reintegration.

3. Sexual Exploitation & Digital Coercion

We all want to find love, and the internet has given us the capability to find our connection at the ease of a fingertip. New dating/sex platforms are being created every year, and a service member who wants to meet someone for a good time or a long time is at risk of sextortion, image-based abuse, or coercive relationships. And in the age of doxxing and cancel culture, fear of exposure, especially during job searches or security clearances, restricts people from seeking help.

4. Extremist Grooming and Harmful Online Communities

Technology offers constant connectivity, but that same access enables propaganda to reach individuals at any hour. Social media algorithms and website tracking tools can rapidly amplify harmful ideas with minimal effort or technical expertise. In many cases, a smartphone and a social media account are all that is needed to disseminate dangerous information at virtually no cost. Periods of identity disruption can make a service member vulnerable to online groups that exploit feelings of loss, betrayal, or moral injury. Extremist or harmful communities often frame themselves as sources of purpose, camaraderie, and validation.

Barriers to Preventing Digital Harassment & Online Exploitation

1. Perpetrator-Related Factors: Online anonymity, limited immediate consequences, and constantly evolving digital tactics make perpetrators difficult to identify and hold accountable.

2. Platform-Related Factors: Many technology companies lack transparency and accountability, with inconsistent content moderation and limited investment in proactive safety-by-design features.

3. Victim-Related Factors: Fear of retaliation, stigma and shame, limited awareness of reporting options, psychological distress, and power imbalances often prevent individuals from coming forward.

4. Legal and Policy Barriers: Fragmented laws, inconsistent definitions of tech-facilitated harm, and justice systems that are not fully equipped to address digital crimes impede effective response and accountability.

5. Social and Cultural Factors: Permissive online norms, algorithm-driven echo chambers, and low levels of digital literacy contribute to the normalization and spread of harmful behavior.

🔐 Digital Safety Tip Box

Protect Yourself and Your Family Online

• Check your settings: Review privacy and security features on all apps and social media platforms you use. Enable protections like two-factor authentication, login alerts, and privacy controls.

• Add extra protection: Use trusted third-party security tools, such as password managers or identity monitoring services, to strengthen your online accounts.

• Limit personal sharing: Avoid posting personal details or photos that could expose you, your family, or your location to potential harm, especially information tied to military service, benefits, or routines.

Why Digital Safety Matters for Service Members

My hope is that service members and their loved ones will recognize common forms of online harassment and exploitation, understand the mental health risks associated with digital exposure, and implement practical strategies to protect themselves and their families in digital spaces.