According to a global survey of internet users conducted between January and February 2022, around a third of female respondents said that they had stopped themselves saying what they think online after experiencing harmful online contact. Additionally, almost a quarter of women reported having reduced their internet usage as a result of abusive online contact. Among the more severe effects of coming in contact with harmful material online, internet users reported experiencing panic attacks, anxiety, and lower self-esteem.
Global internet users reactions to harmful online contacts as of February 2022, by gender
Characteristic
Men
Women
I have stopped myself from saying what I actually think online
26
32
I have reduced my internet usage
21
24
I have experienced lower self-esteem or a loss of self-confidence
18
26
I have stayed off social media
19
17
I have felt isolated or like I needed to withdraw into myself
15
18
I have been less able to focus on everyday tasks
17
16
I have experienced panic attacks, anxiety or stress
13
18
I have not been able to sleep well
14
15
My relationships with friends or family have been threatened
According to the source: internet users "saying yes to viewing comments or images online which suggest men are superior to women and viewing comments or images online which suggest that women cause many of the problems facing men".
Original question: "How, if at all, has this type of online contact affected you?"
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Ipsos. (March 4, 2022). Global internet users reactions to harmful online contacts as of February 2022, by gender [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 04, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301606/effects-of-harmful-online-contact/
Ipsos. "Global internet users reactions to harmful online contacts as of February 2022, by gender." Chart. March 4, 2022. Statista. Accessed October 04, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301606/effects-of-harmful-online-contact/
Ipsos. (2022). Global internet users reactions to harmful online contacts as of February 2022, by gender. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 04, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301606/effects-of-harmful-online-contact/
Ipsos. "Global Internet Users Reactions to Harmful Online Contacts as of February 2022, by Gender." Statista, Statista Inc., 4 Mar 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301606/effects-of-harmful-online-contact/
Ipsos, Global internet users reactions to harmful online contacts as of February 2022, by gender Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301606/effects-of-harmful-online-contact/ (last visited October 04, 2024)
Global internet users reactions to harmful online contacts as of February 2022, by gender [Graph], Ipsos, March 4, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301606/effects-of-harmful-online-contact/