BTGirlguiding has released the results of The Girls’ Attitudes Survey 2023, unveiling the experiences of young women and girls in the UK as they navigate life both online and offline. The survey, which gathered responses from over 2,000 girls and young women aged between 7 and 21, provides insight into how their online experiences have evolved over the past 15 years.
The 2023 findings have disclosed that women and girls involved in the survey believe they would feel safer online if reports and concerns were taken seriously, and if there was more guidance on where and how to report content online.
This concerning response follows the survey's revelation that girls continue to face persistent issues that are negatively affecting their lives, with online harm being a significant contributor to increased anxiety compared to previous years.
Negative Behaviours Online
One of the most noteworthy results of the survey was the impact of negative behaviours online, as stated in the Girlguiding survey:
‘Girls told us about the negative impact being online can have, from feeling depressed to being too scared to express themselves. 3 in 5 girls and young women aged 11-21 are worried about the negative impact of being online on their mental health.’
The survey documents that 83% of girls and young women believe more should be done to combat sexism and abuse online, with 81% of respondents experiencing some form of threatening or distressing behaviour online, and 57% of 13-21-year-olds encountering sexist comments directed at them.
Additionally, the survey revealed that it was primarily disabled, LGBTQ+, and neurodiverse girls who were most likely to be concerned about their online experiences.
Positive Changes
Whilst many young women and girls remain concerned about their online experiences, the survey has revealed that now more than ever, girls are more likely to use their voice for change and speak out about things that concern them. 30% of respondents reported that they had made their views known about issues by sharing them online, an increase from 22% in 2018.
Alongside this, 48% of girls ages 13-21 reported that they believed social media empowers them to speak out about things they care about, demonstrating how social media can be used positively to address concerns such as climate change.
Removing Harmful Content Online
The results show that 59% of respondents wished their reports and concerns were taken more seriously by social media platforms, and 33% believed that more guidance on where and how to report content online would make them feel safer.
These latest results illustrate that many young girls and women are still witnessing an increase in harmful content online, and many are being personally impacted by it. Although this survey highlights more negative aspects of the online world, there are positives to online spaces, which women and girls deserve to experience. Our service, Report Harmful Content, helps to address many of the issues that young women and girls are encountering online, to develop this positive environment.
By providing easy reporting channels, guidance, and the ability to escalate reports to online platforms, Report Harmful Content can offer support to everyone over the age of 13 who has been negatively affected by harmful online content.
As the survey reveals that many of these concerns are affecting school-aged children, Report Harmful Content can provide a free button for schools and organisations to download onto their website. The button can give any website user quick access to online safety advice, as well as reporting guidance for many social media platforms. To find out more about how to add the button to your organisation’s website, you can visit the link below.
Download The Report Harmful Content Button
Find out more about the results of Girlguiding’s The Girls’ Attitudes Survey 2023 here.
