Instagram, Facebook & Co .: girls demand help against harassment online

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Girls in Germany most often experience digital violence on Instagram

Photo: Dado Ruvic / REUTERS

"Fear accompanies me every time I post something. I think all girls have this fear," writes a girl from Ecuador.

The 17-year-old is like many girls and young women around the world: They are verbally abused, sexually harassed or insulted on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

That is the result of a survey by the children's rights organization Plan International, which was presented on Monday for World Girls' Day on October 11th.

According to this, 58 percent of the girls and young women surveyed experience threats, insults and discrimination on social media.

In Germany it is even 70 percent.

For the survey, 14,000 girls and young women between the ages of 15 and 24 were interviewed worldwide, 1003 of them in Germany.

"The results of the girls' report show how powerless many girls and young women feel in social networks, and that there are far too few mechanisms to take effective action against attacks and harassment," said Plan managing director Maike Röttger.

Girls have the right to move freely and safely online and to position themselves on topics.

"But they are silenced far too often," said Röttger.

Maike Röttger: "Far-reaching Consequences"

The consequences of online violence are serious: 13 percent of those affected worldwide use social media less, 13 percent no longer write any posts, and 8 percent even log off completely.

Girls experience digital violence most often on Facebook (39 percent), followed by Instagram with 23 percent.

In Germany, 11 percent of those affected use social media less, 9 percent no longer write any posts and 5 percent leave the platforms entirely.

In Germany, Instagram is the platform with the most attacks (45 percent) ahead of Facebook (35 percent).

"It is irresponsible that those affected are left alone with online violence," said Röttger.

"In many cases, these attacks have profound consequences for their self-confidence and thus for their entire life."

In view of the fact that many girls and women are spending an increasing part of their lives online due to the corona crisis and the number of Internet access is increasing worldwide, it is time that digital platforms protect their users more.

Reporting mechanisms would have to be optimized so that the perpetrators can be held accountable.

@namastehannah: "Take internet violence more seriously"

Plan International therefore calls on all users of social media to sign an open letter with demands for effective measures to the operators of the digital platforms.

"We girls and young women in all our diversity must be able to rely on the fact that we can always turn to you when we experience digital violence and that you will do something about it," says the letter, which was written by Zahra, among others, 17, from Finland, Madjidath, 20, from Benin and Neha, 18, from Nepal.

Influencers like Hannah Müller-Hillebrand, also known on Instagram as @namastehannah, report on their experiences with online harassment.

The 24-year-old shares a lot on her channel on the topics of equality and empowerment of women.

In addition, she receives a lot of positive feedback, but she also receives hate messages.

"Society must take online harassment and violence more seriously," writes the 24-year-old.

"It's not funny to be sent a dick pic, followed or bombarded with messages - that's not a compliment!"

Icon: The mirror

pbe / dpa