Do Women Need Special Treatment Online, or Just Better Skills?


As the digital world continues to grow, so do the challenges faced by women online. One in five women report experiencing harm in digital spaces, often in the form of abuse, threats, or cyberattacks. Despite initiatives like the UK’s Online Safety Act, gaps remain in addressing these risks effectively. Research by Magdalene Ng and colleagues at the University of Westminster highlights gender disparities in online safety practices and access to digital security tools.

This article explores six actionable steps to make the internet safer for women, supported by research, statistics, and recommendations.

1. Encourage Community Support

Community-based NGOs such as End Violence Against Women play a pivotal role in safeguarding women’s online safety. Studies reveal that women are twice as likely as men to seek face-to-face advice for digital safety concerns.

Key Statistics

Method of Seeking Advice

Women

Men

Consulting family and friends

76%

24%

Seeking advice from online sources

38%

70%

Recommendation: Governments and funding organizations should invest in NGOs to expand their outreach and provide specialized support for women encountering online abuse.

2. Make Online Advice More Accessible

Technical jargon often creates a barrier to understanding online safety practices. Simplifying and prioritizing key advice ensures inclusivity for individuals with non-technical backgrounds.

Proposed Solutions

·         Use plain language across platforms such as social media, search engines, and forums.

·         Integrate safety tips within widely used platforms like YouTube and social media apps.

Example

Creating infographics and short videos explaining critical concepts like multi-factor authentication can significantly increase accessibility.

3. Tailor Safety Advice to Women’s Needs

Women face unique online threats such as intimate image abuse, cyberflashing, and targeted harassment. However, existing advice is often limited to NGO websites, failing to reach broader audiences.

Key Online Threats

Threat

Frequency Among Women

Cyber flashing

High

Intimate image abuse

Significant

Targeted harassment

Widespread

 Recommendation: Integrate advice for these specific issues across mainstream digital platforms to enhance visibility and accessibility.

4. Develop Safe Online Spaces

Online spaces designed specifically for women can offer both emotional support and practical advice. Such platforms can serve as a safe haven for victims of online abuse, fostering peer-to-peer support and community building.

Potential Benefits

·         Trust and relatability through shared experiences.

·         Access to tailored safety resources.

Case Study: Women-only online communities such as those created by NGOs have shown promise in providing a trusted environment for digital safety discussions.

5. Empower Women with Digital Skills

Equipping women with essential digital skills is a foundational step toward improving their online safety. Training programs can be introduced in schools, libraries, and community centers to ensure accessibility.

Training Focus Areas

Skill

Impact

Setting strong passwords

Enhances personal data protection.

Using security software

Reduces vulnerability to malware.

Understanding privacy

Mitigates risks of data misuse.

Recommendation: Offer free, easy-to-follow training sessions to bridge the digital literacy gap.

6. Assess Risks Before Releasing Technology

New technologies often introduce unintended risks, disproportionately affecting women. A preemptive assessment process involving diverse stakeholders can mitigate these threats.

Proposed Collaborative Efforts

·         Government agencies, such as Ofcom, working with NGOs and researchers.

·         Technology firms conducting gender-focused risk analyses.

Example: The ongoing discussions about artificial intelligence provide a model for evaluating the societal impact of emerging technologies.

Conclusion

Making the internet safer for women requires a multifaceted approach involving community support, accessible advice, tailored safety measures, and improved digital literacy. Collaborative efforts from governments, NGOs, and technology developers are essential to create an inclusive digital environment.

By addressing these key areas, we can foster a safer online space where women feel empowered to navigate the digital world without fear or restriction.

References

1.       Magdalene Ng et al., University of Westminster Research Study (2023).

2.       End Violence Against Women Organization Reports.

3.       UK Online Safety Act (2023) Policy Guidelines.

4.       Ofcom Research on Digital Safety (2022).

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