The Gender Dimension of Cyber Attacks and Online Violence Among School Students
The Women’s Fund “Sukhumi” has conducted a new study on the experience of cyber-attacks and online violence among school students, exploring its gender dimensions and impact. The research involved 192 students from ten municipalities in western Georgia, revealing that 25% had personally experienced online violence. TikTok and Facebook were the most common platforms for girls, while boys primarily encountered such incidents in online games. The most widespread forms of violence included offensive rumors, mocking comments about appearance, and sexual harassment, which was particularly prevalent among girls. Online violence has a serious psychological impact on students, leading to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Despite this, the study found that 30% of respondents do not seek any help, which may be linked to stigma and a lack of adequate support.
The research strongly emphasizes that preventing and addressing online violence requires a systemic approach, including strengthening education, increasing parental and educator involvement, and improving legal regulations to make the online environment safer for students.