Online Harassment in Majority Contexts: Examining Harms and Remedies across Countries

TL;DR

This study investigates global perceptions of online harassment harms and preferred remedies across 14 countries, revealing regional differences and emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive platform policies.

Contribution

It provides comparative insights into harm perceptions and remedy preferences in diverse cultural contexts, expanding beyond North American and European perspectives.

Findings

Perceptions of harm are higher outside the U.S.

Sexual photo sharing is universally harmful.

Insults and rumors are more harmful in non-U.S. countries.

Abstract

Online harassment is a global problem. This article examines perceptions of harm and preferences for remedies associated with online harassment with nearly 4000 participants in 14 countries around the world. The countries in this work reflect a range of identities and values, with a focus on those outside of North American and European contexts. Results show that perceptions of harm are higher among participants from all countries studied compared to the United States. Non-consensual sharing of sexual photos is consistently rated as harmful in all countries, while insults and rumors are perceived as more harmful in non-U.S. countries, especially harm to family reputation. Lower trust in other people and lower trust in sense of safety in one's neighborhood correlate with increased perceptions of harm of online harassment. In terms of remedies, participants in most countries prefer monetary compensation, apologies, and publicly revealing offender's identities compared to the U.S. Social media platform design and policy must consider regional values and norms, which may depart from U.S. centric-approaches.