Online Harassment 2017

Year of production: 2017

Image is illustrative. Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

The Pew Research Center has studied the online harassment phenomenon, in 2017, in the Unites States of America, by analysing data from a survey with 4,248 adult respondents. Among its main findings it resulted that 41% of Americans have been personally subjected to harassing behavior online, and an even larger share (66%) has witnessed these behaviors directed at others. The research highlights issues related to severe forms of harassment online, such as physical threats, harassment over a sustained period, sexual harassment or stalking, but also the impact of social media and of anonymity over the Internet.

Authors

Photo of M. Duggan
Maeve Duggan

M. Duggan is an experienced survey researcher with an emphasis on public policy issues in Massachusetts. Previously focused on the impact of technology on American society, including politics online, the demographics of technology adoption, and social media trends. Authored the first nationally-representative survey on the prevalence and patterns of online harassment.

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Pew Research Center

Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. The Center conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research, and doesn't take policy positions. It originated in a research project created in 1990 called the Times Mirror Center for the People & the Press. In 2004, The Pew Charitable Trusts established the Pew Research Center as a subsidiary to house its information initiatives.