As social media becomes an increasingly familiar part of young people’s lives, questions over who can reach them online—and what happens when those interactions cross a line—are becoming harder to ignore.
Those concerns have resurfaced following allegations against a 28-year-old man, accused of repeatedly sending inappropriate and unwanted messages to teenage girls through different social media platforms.
The allegations first gained widespread attention after a TikTok post detailing the experiences went viral. Since then, several young women and girls, some as young as 15, have come forward claiming they had received similar messages from the same man.
According to those who spoke to BBS on condition of anonymity, the man allegedly contacted them through multiple accounts, including profiles using the names “Bubble” and “JP”. What began in some cases as ordinary greetings and compliments allegedly became increasingly personal and sexual, with invitations to meet in person.
One teenager said the messages included explicit comments about her body and what the man wanted to do with her.
“He would send me messages about my body, things I had never even thought about myself. He would comment on my body and tell me how he wanted to touch me. I still remember him saying that when I became an adult, if he ever saw me at a Space Party, which he said he frequently attended, he would take me to a room and make it an unforgettable night for me,” she said.
Another said she was 15 when the man first contacted her. The interaction, she recalled, initially appeared harmless.
“At first, his messages were simple: ‘hi,’ ‘hello,’ and ‘how are you doing?’ He started complimenting me on every video I posted,” she said.
She alleged that even when contact was not encouraged, the man repeatedly followed her through different accounts and eventually found her on Instagram as well.
“He would repeatedly follow me from different accounts, including Bubble and JP. Somehow, he also found my Instagram account and repeatedly followed me there and sent me message requests,” she said.
According to the teenager, the nature of the messages changed after a few months, when the man began asking whether she wanted to go for a drink or accompany him on a drive.
BBS contacted the man at the centre of the allegations. While he acknowledged communicating with the girls, he denied that he intended to meet them or engage in sexual activity.
The allegations are now with the police, who will have to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for further action. The original social media post that brought the matter to public attention has since been removed and replaced with a link to a document containing additional details of the allegations.
Bhutan’s existing legislation provides for action against certain forms of misconduct carried out through digital platforms.
Under Section 426 of the Information, Communications and Media Act of Bhutan 2018, harassment through an information and communication technology system is an offence classified as a petty misdemeanour, carrying a punishment ranging from one month to less than one year.
The Act also includes provisions intended to protect children from harmful media content and allows relevant authorities to investigate suspected offences and preserve electronic evidence.
The Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority, or BICMA, can receive complaints and take regulatory action in matters falling within its mandate. The authority, however, said it has not received a complaint concerning this case.
A lawyer told BBS that the allegations alone do not determine whether an offence has been committed. That will depend on the evidence gathered by the relevant authorities and, should the case reach court, the court’s assessment of the facts and applicable law.
Beyond the investigation itself, the case has once again highlighted the vulnerabilities young users can face in digital spaces. Social media allows strangers to establish contact with children and teenagers with relative ease, while multiple accounts can make unwanted contact difficult to escape.
Online safety experts recommend that young users make use of privacy settings and the blocking and reporting tools available on social media platforms when they encounter persistent or inappropriate behaviour. Keeping records of troubling interactions can also be important when an incident needs to be reported.
Parents, guardians and schools also have a role beyond simply restricting children’s access to social media. Regular conversations about boundaries, inappropriate requests, privacy and when to seek help can make it easier for young people to recognise troubling behaviour and speak about it early.
For children experiencing online harassment or other forms of distress, support is also available through The PEMA helpline at 1098.
As the police examine the allegations, the case serves as a reminder that the risks young people encounter online do not always begin with obviously threatening messages. Sometimes, they begin with something as ordinary as a “hi”.
