Fifty-eight percent of girls face bullying online – Report | Social

Fifty-eight percent of the 14,000 girls studied worldwide have experienced various forms of bullying online, says a study by Plan International on the ‘experiences of girls being online on social media platforms’.

The study, conducted in June and July 2020 in 22 countries, including Ghana, with a structured questionnaire, examined behaviors, attitudes and beliefs that limited girls’ freedom and opportunities on social media platforms.

The report came as Plan International Ghana joined the world in commemorating ‘International Day of the Girl’, which is celebrated on October 8 every year in Accra.

Ms Vera Abbey, Acting Director of Programs at Plan International Ghana, who presented the report, said 28 percent of the total number studied suffered harassment on Facebook, 14 percent on WhatsApp, 5 percent on Instagram, 2 percent on Twitter. , one percent on Snapchat, one percent on YouTube, and one percent on other platforms.
The report also said that online bullying of girls starts as early as the age of eight and that most were first bullied between the ages of 14 and 16.

Eighty-five percent suffered sexual harassment; 64%, abusive and insulting language; 57 percent, threats of sexual violence; 50 percent, willful embarrassment; and 43 percent, attacks of body shame, he said.

Madame Abbey said 42 percent had threats of physical violence; 40 percent, harassment and annoyance; and 25 percent were targeted with racist comments among other guys about online bullying.

In revealing the effects of bullying, she said, 24 percent of the girls later felt physically unsafe, 43 percent lost self-esteem or self-confidence, 42 percent felt mentally or emotionally stressed, and 18 percent. one hundred had problems in school.

She said 71 percent of those surveyed said the bullying was triggered because of their style and appearances on social media, 31 percent believe it is due to their gender identity, 18 percent said it was as a result. Of sexual orientation, nine percent were convinced it was because of race or ethnicity, seven percent said it was due to political opinions, and five percent confronted it because they lived with disabilities.

Madame Abbey recommended that the government reform legislative frameworks to address online harassment and violence against girls and young women, adding that laws should be made to hold social media platforms accountable.
She also suggested that companies or social media organizations create stronger, more effective and more accessible reporting mechanisms specific to GBV online to hold perpetrators to account.

Civil society organizations were also encouraged to develop and deliver digital citizenship education and awareness of online opportunities and risks with a focus on online abuse.

Solomon Tesfamariam, National Director of Plan International Ghana, said that the abuse and harassment faced by girls, including online, is rapidly becoming significant threats, with very limited measures to protect them, especially in these times of the COVID pandemic -19.

She said that Plan International Ghana therefore adopted the theme “Online Freedom” with the hashtag “#FreeToBeOnline” to support girls against abuse and harassment on social media.

For its part, online violence silenced girls and served as a barrier to their leadership, hence the need to sensitize them about the concept of online safety and bullying from different perspectives.

Tesfamariam said it was clear that little was being done to protect girls and young women online, in the meantime, the treatment they received was unacceptable, scary and must be stopped.

Ms Gifty Twum Ampofo, Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, said that the world was in an era where it could not do without the Internet.

She advised girls and young women not to get sucked into unacceptable behaviors on social media as a result of their beliefs, culture, and influences from their peers and the contemporary world.

“Girls, you have to be smart and set your priorities well. Many girls have been abused and murdered for a photo they shared on social media or for some expressions they made. Do not be moved by the words of men as if they were beautiful and intelligent.

Do not be flattered, because you will have the tablets soon ”, he advised.

He said that Ghana had adopted the United Nations ‘Safe School Declaration’ and the Ministry had received funds to develop a ‘Safe School Policy’ to protect children.