Norton by Symantec released new research that reveals 8 out of 10 people surveyed have experienced some form of online harassment in India, with the most common forms of online harassment being abuse and insults (63 per cent) and malicious gossip and rumours (59 per cent).
The Norton study aims to understand the country’s exposure to online harassment ranging from unwanted conflict, trolling, character assassinations, and cyberbullying to sexual harassment and threats of physical violence, as well as the impacts of these experiences.
Incidence of online harassment was particularly high for people in the under 40s age group, with 65 per cent reporting online abuse and insults. Frighteningly, 87 per cent of people with disabilities or poor mental health and 77 per cent of those with weight issues reported experiences of abuse or insults online.
Ritesh Chopra, Country Manager, Norton by Symantec said that the level of online harassment in India was extremely concerning. “Our latest research shows that more serious forms of online harassment including threats of physical violence (45 per cent), cyberbullying (44 per cent) and cyberstalking (45 per cent) are very high,” Ritesh Rites said. “It is also worrying that for over 40 per cent of incidences of cyberbullying and nearly half of all cases of cyberstalking people said that the perpetrator was a stranger. Indeed, many said that they had no idea of the true identity of the person who was bullying them.”
“With India’s growing population spending more time on social media platforms and mobile applications, it is important that online users’ take basic precautions to protect their safety and security to avoid unwanted contact,” added Ritesh.
