EIGE study reports on online violence affecting girls in the EU

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) released a study on Monday in Nicosia, addressing the prevalence of online violence against girls aged 13 to 18. The research, presented by researcher Blandine Mollard during a conference organized by the Cypriot EU Presidency, involved 133 participants from ten EU member states. These countries include Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, and Sweden. The findings indicate that nearly all surveyed girls reported experiencing some form of online harassment. Many participants described a daily routine of checking their phones for negative content immediately upon waking to prepare for school interactions. The study also included group discussions with boys to understand their awareness of the cyber-abuse directed at their female peers. The data highlights a significant gender disparity in digital harassment experiences.