The Largest ever global survey on online violence shows that one in five girls have left or significantly reduced use of a social media platform after being harassed, while another one in ten have changed the way they express themselves.
The largest study of its kind by Plan International, found girls who use social media in high and low-income countries alike are routinely subjected to explicit messages, pornographic photos, cyberstalking and other distressing forms of abuse, and reporting tools are ineffective in stopping it.
Abuse also damages girls’ lives offline, with one in five of those surveyed saying they or a friend have been left fearing for their physical safety, while 44% say social media companies need to do more to protect them.
Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, CEO of Plan International, said: “Although this research was gathered in conversation with more than 14,000 girls across multiple continents, they share similar experiences of harassment and discrimination.
“These attacks may not be physical, but they are often threatening, relentless, and limit girls’ freedom of expression. Driving girls out of online spaces is hugely disempowering in an increasingly digital world, and damages their ability to be seen, heard and become leaders.”
“Disappointingly, they are being left to deal with online violence on their own, with profound consequences for their confidence and wellbeing. With COVID-19 driving more of our lives online and with internet access around the world improving, it is time for digital platforms to step up and protect their users.”
The most common type of attack is abusive and insulting language, , followed by purposeful embarrassment , body shaming and threats of sexual violence .
More than a third of girls who are from an ethnic minority and have suffered abuse say they are targeted because of their race or ethnicity, while more than half of those who identify as LGBTIQ+ say they are harassed because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
The report – titled Free to be online? Girls’ and young women’s experiences of online harassment – found that social media is a significant part of young people’s lives and is widely used for activism, entertainment, to learn and to keep in touch with friends and family.
Three-quartersof those surveyed say they post frequently or very frequently, while interviews suggest that COVID-19 has made being online even more important.
However, this leaves girls vulnerable to new forms of abuse, with half saying online harassment is more common than street harassment.
The research was carried out as part of Girls Get Equal, Plan International’s global campaign for a world where girls and young women have the power to be leaders and shape the world around them.
As part of the campaign, girls around the world have written an open letter to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter calling on them to create stronger and more effective ways to report abuse and harassment.
Plan International is also asking governments worldwide to implement specific laws to deal with online gender-based violence and ensure girls who suffer it have access to justice.
Ms Albrectsen continued: “Social media companies have the power to make change.”
“They must do more to tackle harmful behaviour and ensure that their platforms are safe environments that allow girls, young women, LGBTQ+ young people and other groups that are vulnerable to harassment to fully express themselves and play their rightful role in shaping the modern world.”
