This statistic presents data on the psychological impact of women experiencing online abuse or harassment worldwide. During the July 2017 survey period, 66 percent of survey respondents who have experienced online abuse stated that they felt a feeling of powerlessness in their ability to respond to abuse or harassment online. A total of 63 percent of online harassment victims also reported to not being able to sleep well.
Psychological impact of women experiencing online abuse or harassment worldwide as of July 2017
Characteristic
Share of respondents
A feeling of powerlessness in my ability to respond to abuse or harassment online
66%
Not being able to sleep well
63%
Lower self-esteem or a loss of self confidence
61%
A feeling of apprehension when thinking about using the internet or social media
58%
Less able to focus on everyday tasks
56%
Experiencing panic attacks, anxiety or stress
55%
A feeling of isolation or a need to withdraw into yourself
54%
A feeling of apprehension when receiving emails or social media notifications
54%
Experiencing mood swings
53%
Not being able to accomplish what you usually would on a typical day
46%
Being unable to concentrate for long periods of time
46%
Less able to make day-to-day decisions
36%
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%60%65%70%75%
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who have ever experienced online abuse or harassment
Method of interview
Online panel
Supplementary notes
QA4b/QA4C. Which, if any of the following have you experienced as a direct result of the online harassment or abuse that you have personally experienced? Countries surveyed: UK, United States, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, Poland, Sweden, Denmark. Total survey n= 4,009
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Amnesty International. (November 20, 2017). Psychological impact of women experiencing online abuse or harassment worldwide as of July 2017 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/784838/online-harassment-impact-on-women/
Amnesty International. "Psychological impact of women experiencing online abuse or harassment worldwide as of July 2017." Chart. November 20, 2017. Statista. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/784838/online-harassment-impact-on-women/
Amnesty International. (2017). Psychological impact of women experiencing online abuse or harassment worldwide as of July 2017. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: March 13, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/784838/online-harassment-impact-on-women/
Amnesty International. "Psychological Impact of Women Experiencing Online Abuse or Harassment Worldwide as of July 2017." Statista, Statista Inc., 20 Nov 2017, https://www.statista.com/statistics/784838/online-harassment-impact-on-women/
Amnesty International, Psychological impact of women experiencing online abuse or harassment worldwide as of July 2017 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/784838/online-harassment-impact-on-women/ (last visited March 13, 2025)
Psychological impact of women experiencing online abuse or harassment worldwide as of July 2017 [Graph], Amnesty International, November 20, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/784838/online-harassment-impact-on-women/
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