Skip to main content

nearly half of girls under 10 have experienced abusive behaviour in the past year such as mean comments

Almost half of girls aged seven to ten have experienced at least one form of 'online harm' – such as being subjected to mean comments – in the past year, according to Girlguiding.

Of these almost a fifth said they had encountered a person pretending to be someone else, while one in ten said they had seen obscene pictures.

Levels of exposure to online harm rose as girls got older. Overall 71 per cent said they had experienced it, including 73 per cent aged 11-16 and 91 per cent aged 17-21.

One in four of those aged 11-21 said they had been sent unwanted sexual images, half had received sexist comments and almost a third had been harassed.

Almost half of girls aged seven to ten have experienced at least one form of 'online harm' ¿ such as being subjected to mean comments ¿ in the past year, according to Girlguiding (stock image)

Almost half of girls aged seven to ten have experienced at least one form of 'online harm' – such as being subjected to mean comments – in the past year, according to Girlguiding (stock image)

The findings come in Girlguiding's annual girls' attitudes survey, based on polling of 2,114 aged between seven and 21 between March and April.

Disabled and LGBTQ girls and women were more likely to experience online harm, the survey found.

The findings show happiness levels are declining 'dramatically', particularly among younger girls, exacerbated by the pandemic. 

Overall, two-thirds of girls said they were feeling more sad, anxious or worried than in 2018.

Just a quarter of seven to ten-year-olds said they feel 'very happy most of the time', down from 43 per cent.

Girlguiding member and advocate Amanda, 17, said she was not surprised by the findings, which show a 'devastating trend in declining happiness'.

'We're exposed to more and more pressures, both online - from harassment to images portraying unrealistic ideals of perfection - and as a result of the pandemic and the disruption it's brought to everyday life.

'Pressures like these are directly impacting the confidence and happiness of girls and young women in the UK.'

Of these almost a fifth said they had encountered a person pretending to be someone else, while one in ten said they had seen obscene pictures (stock image)

Of these almost a fifth said they had encountered a person pretending to be someone else, while one in ten said they had seen obscene pictures (stock image)

Girlguiding chief executive Angela Salt said society must listen and act in the interest of girls to avoid a 'lost generation'.

She said: 'Girls' mental health has been significantly impacted. Online harms have been exacerbated.

'It's critical that we address the decline in girls' happiness that we've observed since we started this research over a decade ago.

'I'm proud that Girlguiding has provided invaluable support for girls' mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic and into recovery - helping to build confidence, resilience and giving them a space to have fun, adventures and develop their skills.

'But society must do more to address this worrying downward trend.'

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o