Online Harassment Against Women Is Rising as Personal Data Exposure Expands, New Research Finds

Online abuse targeting women in the United States is increasing, and researchers say the growing accessibility of personal data across the internet is amplifying the problem. A new nationwide study from privacy service Incogni, conducted in partnership with the National Organization for Women, suggests that digital harassment is becoming both more common and more complex as personal information spreads across data brokers, social platforms, and messaging ecosystems.

The research surveyed 10,000 adult women across the United States in January 2026 and paints a troubling picture of how online exposure, identity, and visibility intersect in today’s digital landscape. According to the findings, more than one in four women now report experiencing online abuse or harassment.

Researchers say the results reveal not only an increase in harassment but also a widening gap between awareness of digital risks and the steps individuals take to protect themselves online.

“Online abuse is no longer confined to isolated incidents. It reflects a broader personal safety and privacy challenge fueled by the accessibility of personal data and the evolving digital environment,” said Darius Belejevas, Head of Incogni. “Empowering individuals with greater control over their data is a critical step toward reducing exposure, preventing harassment, and improving overall online safety.”

Harassment Rates Continue to Climb

The study found that 27 percent of women surveyed reported experiencing online harassment or abuse. That represents an increase from the previous year, when roughly 23 percent reported similar experiences.

Cyberbullying and trolling remain the most common forms of abuse. Cyberbullying alone rose to 12 percent of respondents, reinforcing how persistent harassment continues to dominate online spaces.

The platforms where harassment occurs are also consistent with broader digital behavior trends. Facebook was the most frequently cited platform linked to harassment incidents, followed by messaging apps and visually driven social networks such as Instagram and TikTok.

While emerging technologies like AI-powered impersonation and deepfake harassment were reported less frequently, researchers warn the true prevalence may be difficult to measure. Victims often cannot determine whether artificial intelligence was used to generate abusive content.

Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Communities

The data also highlights stark disparities in how harassment affects different communities.

Women who identify as LGBTQ+ reported the highest exposure rates, with 55 percent saying they had experienced online abuse. That is more than double the rate reported across the overall survey population.

Women of color also reported higher rates of abuse compared to white respondents. Approximately 32 percent of non-white participants reported experiencing online harassment, compared with 24 percent among white respondents.

Younger generations appear to be especially vulnerable. Nearly half of Gen Z respondents reported experiencing some form of online harassment, making them the most exposed age group in the study.

Researchers also observed that professional visibility plays a role. Women in highly public careers reported higher rates of harassment. Journalism and media roles reported the highest exposure levels, with more than half of respondents in those professions saying they had experienced abuse.

Personal Data Exposure as a Catalyst

A major theme in the research centers on how personal data availability fuels harassment.

Seventy nine percent of respondents said they believe publicly accessible personal information can be used to target individuals online. Despite that awareness, only 17 percent said they had attempted to remove their data from websites or data broker databases.

This gap between awareness and action remains one of the most striking findings in the study.

Researchers also documented cases where digital exposure spilled into real-world consequences. Seven percent of respondents reported being harassed online specifically because their personal information was available on the internet, and four percent said they experienced physical abuse linked to that exposure.

Nearly half of women who experienced harassment said the incidents made them fear for their physical safety.

A Lack of Confidence in Legal Protection

Another key finding involves widespread skepticism about existing legal protections.

Only 14 percent of respondents said they believe current laws adequately protect victims of online harassment. Meanwhile, two thirds of those surveyed believe legal safeguards are insufficient.

That perception may explain why many victims do not report incidents. Some respondents cited concerns that reporting would not help, while others said the process is too time consuming or emotionally draining.

The research also found that a significant portion of harassment originates from people known to the victim. More than 40 percent of respondents who experienced abuse said at least one incident involved someone they knew personally.

Digital Visibility and Participation

Researchers say the broader implications extend beyond individual safety. The survey indicates that online harassment can influence whether women participate in public conversations or pursue careers in visible fields.

Many victims reported limiting their online activity after experiencing harassment. Some reduced their social media presence while others avoided public discussions entirely.

This pattern raises concerns about how digital abuse may shape participation in journalism, technology, politics, and other sectors where online visibility is unavoidable.

The researchers say continued annual tracking of online abuse trends will help determine whether current increases represent a temporary spike or the beginning of a longer-term shift in how harassment operates in the digital era.

What is already clear is that the architecture of the internet, where personal data is widely available and communication platforms amplify reach, is creating a new environment where personal safety, privacy, and online participation are increasingly intertwined.