When it comes to online harassment, some countries stand out both in terms of the number of victims and the activities of the perpetrators. Recent data show that the United States, the United Kingdom, Latvia, Estonia, and Hungary have significant levels of online harassment, especially among younger people.

In the United States, a whopping 41% of adults have faced some form of online harassment, with 25% dealing with severe cases. Men are slightly more likely than women to engage in online harassment (43% vs. 38%), but women are often on the receiving end of the worst forms, like sexual harassment and stalking. Younger adults, particularly those under 30, are both frequent targets and perpetrators of online harassment. This age group is notably involved in severe harassing behaviors.

Over in the United Kingdom, about 20% of adolescents report being involved in or experiencing online harassment, making it one of the top countries for cyberbullying. The culprits often use social media platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Facebook to carry out their activities. LGBTQ+ teens are particularly targeted, with almost 40% reporting they were cyberbullied, compared to 15.9% of their heterosexual peers.

Latvia and Estonia have some of the highest cyberbullying rates among adolescents, with Latvia leading at 25%. Most of the perpetrators here are young people who extensively use digital platforms, providing more opportunities for cyberbullying. Similarly, in Hungary, about 20% of adolescents engage in online harassment, often through social media and online gaming.

When we dig into why this happens, several factors come into play. Both the United States and the United Kingdom have high digital literacy and strong cybersecurity frameworks. However, the extensive use of digital platforms, especially among young users, without enough safety measures contributes to the high harassment rates. In Latvia and Estonia, rapid digital adoption has outpaced comprehensive digital safety education, leading to higher instances of cyberbullying among tech-savvy youth.

Cultural and social factors also play a significant role. In the U.S., harassment is often linked to political views, reflecting the country’s deep political divisions. Around 20% of adults report being harassed online because of their political beliefs. Across all the highlighted countries, LGBTQ+ individuals face disproportionate levels of harassment. For example, in the U.S., 70% of lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults report harassment, with 51% experiencing severe abuse.

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