Ofcom has introduced a new plan to combat the rapid increase of online harassment of women and girls. This new initiative follows years of research that highlights how serious the issue is. Recent findings reveal that during the World Cups, female footballers were 29 percent more likely to be victims of online harassment compared to their male counterparts. The initiative addresses a growing public outcry over the dissemination of misogynistic content across social media platforms. This issue is one of the most disturbing, particularly to younger viewers.
As Melanie Dawes, chief executive of Ofcom, has said, the time is critical. She was especially touched by the more shocking stories of women and girls who have suffered such traumatic online harassment. Almost 70 percent of boys aged 11 to 14 have encountered online content that advocates violent behavior toward women. Moreover, 73 percent of Gen Z social media users report encountering misogynistic content on social media platforms. This alarming trend further highlights the need for concrete accountability measures that would better protect female users from this kind of threat.
The Online Safety Act and Industry Accountability
The Online Safety Act places new, binding legal duties on tech firms. We need these rules to protect people from abuse, harassment, and discrimination that thrive online. Ofcom has been proactive in working to preemptively strengthen industry codes. Through this effort, we’re helping hold tech companies accountable to address and stop abuse online.
Tech firms need to be at the table with regulators to ensure continued careful oversight. In addition, they will publicly report their progress in addressing these issues. Through this transparency the goal is to build consumer trust and motivate change in our industry. Ofcom announced a new five-point plan. This action plan’s priority should be holding big tech accountable to comply with the Online Safety Act and increasing the lived experiences of women and girls to create systemic change.
“When I listen to women and girls who’ve experienced online abuse, their stories are deeply shocking. Survivors describe how a single image shared without their consent shattered their sense of self and safety. Journalists, politicians and athletes face relentless trolling while simply doing their jobs. No woman should have to think twice before expressing herself online, or worry about an abuser tracking her location.” – Dame Melanie Dawes
Addressing the Culture of Misogyny
The goal of the initiative is to take on the culture of misogyny that has overtaken online spaces. Most crucially, it seeks to address the fear of judgment head-on. This fear frequently prevents millions of women and girls from engaging in sports and other outdoor activities. Chris Boardman, chair of Sport England, articulated this concern, stating, “Toxic online abuse has terrible offline impacts. As women’s sport grows, so does the abuse of its stars, and that affects women from every walk of life.”
By taking these priorities to task, Ofcom aims to build a more protective landscape for digital women users. To avoid that misstep, tech firms need to adhere to actionable industry standards. This non-binding guidance is intended to minimize dangers associated with internet harassment.
The Path Forward
Ofcom is collaborating with tech companies to develop a less harmful online environment. This partnership is an important next step in saving the lives of women and girls. The Initiative seeks to empower women users by introducing strict regulations. It further focuses on accountability to foster their full participation in every area of society free from intimidation.
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