Girls and young women are finding it hard to disconnect from social media platforms despite facing bullying and harassment, a new study reveals. According to research conducted by Girlguiding, nearly six out of ten girls aged 11 to 21 are hesitant to take a break from social media due to the fear of missing out. The survey, which involved over 2,700 girls and young women, highlighted that around three-quarters of respondents had encountered online harm in the past year, including instances of bullying and harassment.
The study also found that close to 40% of girls reported encountering users pretending to be someone else online, showing a 10% increase compared to three years ago. A 17-year-old advocate for Girlguiding named Jiya expressed that the constant pressure to meet unrealistic beauty standards and the normalization of sexism contribute to girls feeling vulnerable and unsupported, especially with the added exposure that being online all the time brings. Jiya emphasised that online experiences such as body shaming, sexist jokes, online harassment, and objectification can lead to increased loneliness and decreased confidence.
Researchers noted a significant rise in the number of girls, from 17% to 47%, who do not feel safe due to sexism over the past decade. Additionally, approximately six out of ten girls aged between 13 and 21 shared that they have faced incidents of sexual harassment in public, online, or in educational institutions. Angela Salt, the chief executive of Girlguiding, expressed concern over the widespread impact of sexism on girls, leading to feelings of vulnerability and insecurity.
The study highlighted that over two-thirds of girls aged seven to 10 felt societal expectations differed for them compared to boys of the same age. Laura Chow, from the People’s Postcode Lottery, a supporter of Girlguiding’s Girls’ Attitudes Survey, praised organisations like Girlguiding for providing a safe space for girls to have fun and escape external pressures. Despite the pressure to remain online, only about a third of girls aged 11 to 21 feel they have strong connections on the internet, with around six in ten reporting feelings of loneliness.
Amid growing concerns about harmful online content, including misogyny, violence, and bullying, a recent exclusive study shared with The Independent revealed that 95% of young people had heard of Andrew Tate, a social media personality associated with the far-right and conspiracy theory circles. Researchers at Hope not Hate found that 41% of young men supported Mr Tate, while only 12% of young women did. This highlights the gender disparities in engaging with controversial online figures.
In conclusion, the research underscores the challenges faced by girls and young women in navigating social media platforms, with the prevalence of online bullying and harassment contributing to negative experiences and feelings of insecurity. More efforts are needed to create a safer and more inclusive online environment for girls to thrive and feel empowered.