A Quantitative Study Of Sexual Harassment In Social Media Interactions: Content-Type As A Determinant
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64252/2p7vea67Keywords:
social media, sexual harassment, online abuse, content moderation, digital safety, Online sexual harassment, social media abuse, content type, digital safety, chi-square analysis, platform accountability, user behaviour, cyber threats, unsolicited messages, doxxing, gender-based violence onlineAbstract
Sexual harassment on social media has emerged as a widespread concern, with varying forms of abuse manifesting across different content types. This study investigates the association between the type of content shared (Comments, Direct Messages, Images/Videos, and Live Streams) and the type of sexual harassment reported (Explicit Messages, Unsolicited Nude Images, Sexual Threats, and Doxxing/Stalking). Using a chi-squared test of Independence on a sample of 340 reported incidents, the analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between content type and harassment type. Direct Messages were most frequently associated with explicit and unsolicited sexual content, while Comments and Live Streams exhibited a higher incidence of threats and doxxing. The findings highlight the importance of content-type-sensitive moderation, user education, and platform accountability in mitigating online sexual harassment. The study contributes to the growing discourse on designing safer digital spaces through data-informed policy and platform reform.
