Reading and sharing information, as well as exchanging personal views online, has become a daily routine for many people. While social media platforms offer great opportunities to connect with others, the experience in the digital space can differ tremendously based on the users’ gender identity. Predominant social norms that legitimise and naturalise gender-based discrimination and inequality are perpetuated and spread in the digital space. Gender-based online violence (GBOV), including hate speech and threats, has increased massively over the last decade, causing not only harm for targeted individuals, but also affecting gender norms and core democratic functions. What is GBOV? What forms of GBOV exist? And what are the consequences? In this new briefing paper, you will learn more about the influence of GBOV on political and societal participation of women, girls and LGBTQI persons, who are disproportionately affected. The paper includes some examples of how projects have dealt with GBOV, as well as preliminary recommendations on how to address and prevent it.
