Girl guide groups in Peterborough concerned about online harm experienced by women and girls
More than three-quarters of girls aged between seven and twenty-one have experienced online harm in the past year
Last updated 9th Oct 2024
Local guide groups in Peterborough say they want to support their members who feel unsafe online.
According to a recent survey from Girlguiding, 77% percent of girls aged between seven and twenty-one have experienced online harm in the past year.
These ranged from mean comments and seeing rude pictures in the younger age group to bullying and harassment for those aged 11 and over.
Futhermore, cyberstalking has become more common. It went from 7% to 17% of girls experiencing this. Seeing unwanted sexual images rose from 9% to 35%.
Over half of girls surveyed are now worried about the potential for AI to create fake images of them or impersonate them online.
Thinking about our seven-year olds, which are brownies, experiencing online harm is quite staggering to think about
Despite the increasing dangers, 57% of girls feel reluctant to take a break from social media, due to fears of missing out.
Chief Guide at Girl Guiding and leader of a guide group in Peterborough, Tracy Foster, said:
"They're a huge figures."
"Thinking about our seven-year olds, which are brownies, experiencing online harm is quite staggering to think about."
"We've seen a number of worrying cases reported in the media."
"We call the on the government to tackle the rise in this, particularly the violence against women and girls strategy."
We all need to be aware of these dangers and how we can support girls
"We don't want to frighten our girls and young women about there being no safe place. Of course there are safe spaces."
"We want every outdoor space and indoor space and online to be safe. That's what we're calling for. We want to make sure that girls have a voice. We want to listen to our girls."
"We all need to be aware of these dangers and how we can support girls through our programme and through unit meeting activities."
"We can also invite visitors, who are specialists in this area, to support even our young women."
3 in 4 girls report feeling lonely, with many saying they have no one to talk to about how they feel
As well as online dangers, sexism, misogyny and loneliness are driving a growing crisis of confidence among girls in the UK."
"This is starting as young as 7 years old, according to the latest research from Girlguiding.
The survey reveals that nearly half of girls aged between eleven and twenty-one feel unsafe due to sexism, a figure that has doubled over the past decade.
The impact of this is severe: girls are not only feeling less confident but also increasingly isolated.
3 in 4 girls report feeling lonely, with many saying they have no one to talk to about how they feel.
Girls are supported through Girlguiding’s innovative peer education program.
One of the charity’s six core themes is ‘Be Well’, which aims to help girls and young women explore how to stay safe, healthy and happy.
Girls may feel anxious about their futures, but they also remain hopeful and curious
Badges range anywhere from ‘Healthy Mind’ to ‘Self Care’.
Angela Salt, CEO of Girlguiding said:
'It’s devastating to see girls feel less confident about themselves and their futures."
"Sexism continues to be pervasive, leaving many girls feeling vulnerable and unsafe."
"We’re glad to see the Government is taking rising levels of misogyny seriously.
"Now it's been acknowledged as a problem, we are determined to make sure the voices of girls are heard as part of the solution.'
'Even in tough times, there are rays of hope.
"Girls may feel anxious about their futures, but they also remain hopeful and curious."
"Our recent impact report has shown that girls in Girlguiding are up to 23% more confident than girls in UK on average, thriving in a space where they can be themselves, have fun, make friends and try new things without many of the pressures girls face in today’s world.'