Seven in 10 girls and young women in the Philippines have experienced online harassment, specifically on various social media platforms, a new global research by girls’ rights organization Plan International revealed on Sunday, Oct. 11.
The report “Free to be online? Girls’ and young women’s experiences of online harassment,” was based on a survey and in-depth interviews of some 14,000 girls from 15 to 24 years old in 31 countries, including the Philippines.
The largest study of its kind, the report shows that girls who use social media in high and low-income countries alike are routinely subjected to different forms of online harassment and violence such as threats of sexual violence, sexual harassment, threats of physical violence, anti-LGBTIQ+ comments, racist comments, body-shaming, purposeful embarrassment, stalking, and abusive and insulting language.
In the Philippines, of the 68 percent of girls and young women who have experienced online harassment, specifically on social media, the majority revealed that the harassment happens frequently (50 percent) or very frequently (33 percent).
About 79 percent, said that they or other girls they know have received threats of sexual violence on social media.
In addition, 67 percent of the Filipino girls and young women surveyed said that they were harassed by people they know.
“The high incidence of online violence against girls and young women is alarming. In this global pandemic and in an increasingly digital world, girls are more at risk than ever,” said Mona Mariano, gender specialist of Plan International Philippines.
“We must understand that it may also impact girls’ lives offline. Experiencing harassment or abuse online may take a huge toll on a girl’s confidence and wellbeing,” she added.
The research also showed that in the Philippines, girls and young women who identified themselves as having at least one intersecting characteristic—being from an ethnic minority, identifying as LGBTIQ+ or living with a disability—are more vulnerable to online violence.
Girls and young women in the Philippines and in the other areas surveyed share similar experiences of online harassment and discrimination.
Majority of the girls and young women surveyed believe that the pandemic has made being online more important, but falling victim to online violence has been limiting their freedom of expression, driving them out of digital spaces, and leaving them emotionally stressed and feeling unsafe.
“Online violence is disempowering girls. They’re being shut out of a space that plays an important part in fulfilling their potential to thrive and become leaders,” Mariano said.
As a response, Plan International launched its #FreeToBeOnline global campaign to call for an end to online violence and uphold the digital rights and freedom of girls and young women.
Plan International highlighted in its campaign the important roles of governments, private sector especially technology and social media companies, civil society, and communities in recognizing the harm caused by online violence against girls and young women, promoting digital citizenship education, reporting abuse, crafting and implementing inclusive policies and laws, and amplifying girls’ voices.
“Everyone has a role to play in ending gender-based violence online. The government, social media companies, our families, and communities—and young people themselves—have enormous power and potential to stop this,” Mariano said.
As part of the campaign, girls around the world have also written an open letter to social media companies, urging them to create stronger and more effective ways to report abuse and harassment.