Stacy Jo Dixon
Research expert covering social media usage worldwide
Gendered abuse online - statistics & facts
Is a safer, fairer, online world possible? Women and minorities are often targets for those who hide behind the anonymity that is available on social platforms. Online abuse is becoming more common as our lives become further connected to technology. The speed at which technology advances is leaving many online users open to more possibilities of online abuse. Online harm can not only change users’ online behavior; it also has a way of affecting people's offline worlds.
Moreover, an October 2024 survey indicated that women were more worried than men about online harms related to extremism, human trafficking, suicide, female genital mutilation, and hateful content.
This extends to younger girls as well, with surveys conducted in 2016 and 2023 showing a rise in threatening or upsetting online behavior towards girls aged seven to 10. Instances of cyberbullying nearly doubled from 13 percent to 25 percent, while unwanted online contact increased from 16 percent to 30 percent.
The problem extends to online gaming as well, where 48 percent of female gamers in the United States reported experiencing abuse based on their gender.
The fear of harassment and its impact on mental health are significant barriers to female online engagement, potentially limiting their opportunities for self-expression, networking, and contribution in digital communities. As the internet becomes an integral part of our daily lives, these highlight the need for targeted interventions to create a more inclusive digital landscape.
Troubling patterns emerge
Women and girls consistently report higher levels of concern about online safety and face more frequent harassment. A May 2024 survey conducted in the United Kingdom (UK) revealed a significant difference in perceptions of online safety and risks; women and teen girls consistently express higher levels of concern about various online harms compared to their male counterparts. Overall, 75 percent of teen girls were worried about content promoting self-harm, while only 59 percent of teen boys shared this concern. Teen girls were also more worried about sexual or pornographic content and misogynistic content than teen boys.Moreover, an October 2024 survey indicated that women were more worried than men about online harms related to extremism, human trafficking, suicide, female genital mutilation, and hateful content.
The online safety gender gap
The gender disparity in online safety perceptions extends to overall views on the internet's impact on society. Women were less likely than men to agree that the benefits of the online world outweighed the risks. Additionally, only 34 percent of female respondents believed that the internet was a good thing for society, compared to 47 percent of male respondents.Rising online abuse against girls and women
There is a concerning trend of increasing online abuse targeting girls and women. Between 2013 and 2023, the proportion of girls and women aged 11 to 21 who experienced unkind online comments rose from 40 percent to 51 percent. The same period saw a significant increase in the number of respondents receiving upsetting content from people they knew, jumping from 17 percent to 37 percent.This extends to younger girls as well, with surveys conducted in 2016 and 2023 showing a rise in threatening or upsetting online behavior towards girls aged seven to 10. Instances of cyberbullying nearly doubled from 13 percent to 25 percent, while unwanted online contact increased from 16 percent to 30 percent.
The problem extends to online gaming as well, where 48 percent of female gamers in the United States reported experiencing abuse based on their gender.
Harassment's impact on online participation
Online harassment continues to be a significant issue affecting women's participation in digital spaces. The impact of this harassment is particularly concerning for younger females. In the United Kingdom, 60 percent of girls and young women reported worrying about the negative impact of being online on their mental health. This fear of abuse has led to 54 percent of respondents feeling less free to share their views online, effectively silencing female voices in digital spaces.The fear of harassment and its impact on mental health are significant barriers to female online engagement, potentially limiting their opportunities for self-expression, networking, and contribution in digital communities. As the internet becomes an integral part of our daily lives, these highlight the need for targeted interventions to create a more inclusive digital landscape.
Stacy Jo Dixon
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Mar 31, 2025
Stacy Jo Dixon
Research expert covering social media usage worldwide
